Yesterday Blue Square launched a direct link to the UK Tote pools, allowing bettors to use a single account to access the Tote horseracing pools in addition to the regular fixed odds bets through Blue Square’s telephone service and web site at www.bluesq.com.
Users can use their BlueSquare account to bet on Tote's whole range of bets, including the huge daily Jackpot, the Scoop6, and of course, the Placepot.
Bluesquare's Public Relations Director says the new feature is sure to generate lots of business.
"Obviously its commercially massive for us as it means guaranteed margins as well as trying to keep the punter in one place as they can now do Tote, fixed odds, results and listen to commentaries all from one place and one account," he said.
Ed Andrewes, Commercial director for BlueSquare, is also quite optimistic.
He said, "Following the success of the US pools we have been keen to offer the service in the UK in order to provide a comprehensive racing betting service from one site. Equally, from a commercial point of view the guaranteed margins are a considerable plus to us as a company. We see the Tote partnership as being a huge asset to the bettor as well as helping to swell the pools themselves.”
Nigel Roddis, the Tote’s Pool Development Director, thinks Bluesquare will help to increase the size of the pools.
He said, "This year has seen us massively increase value to our customers via reduced deductions in the Win and Place pools, which has provided a significant boost to the size of those pools. However, for pool betting to continue to grow we need to explore other ways to attract punters into all of our pools. This agreement with Blue Square perfectly reflects that commitment and with the likes of the big meetings at Ayr, Ascot and Newmarket just around the corner we will be expecting further record turnover levels this Autumn."
He adds, "Looking further ahead, we are keen to increase still further the number of distribution channels by which punters can get involved in the excitement and value of Tote pool betting. This deal is a significant one, but it certainly won’t be the last.”