The Pools appoints Caroline Newman as Director of Regulatory Compliance

• The Pools has appointed Caroline Newman as Director of Regulatory Compliance to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
• Newman brings over ten years of compliance experience from senior roles at Entain and Midnite.
• Appointment forms part of a wider restructuring drive with multiple senior hires over the past 18 months.

The Pools has appointed Caroline Newman as its new Director of Regulatory Compliance, bringing over a decade of industry experience to the iconic British betting brand.

Newman joins from Entain, where she served as Head of Anti-Financial Crime and MLRO for UK and Ireland. Prior to Entain, she spent four years with Midnite as Head of Compliance and MLRO, joining as the UK betting operator’s first compliance hire.

Building compliance frameworks from the ground up

At Midnite, Newman was responsible for building the company’s compliance programme and embedding practical frameworks. Her earlier career included compliance roles with B2B industry brands Inspired, Playtech and Odobo.

The appointment follows the recent hire of former LeoVegas Group Head of Safer Gambling and Anti-Money Laundering Joseph Carter-Bell as The Pools’ Director of Customer Success and Operations.

The move forms part of a wider restructuring drive spanning the past 18 months, which has seen several senior appointments, including Gemma Strath-Billington as Head of Group Marketing, Phillip Donegan as Chief Technology Officer, Chris Williams as Head of Product and Matt Knowles as Head of CRM.

Focus on player protection

Newman’s role will involve helping The Pools adapt to ongoing regulatory changes while maintaining strong governance and compliance practices. The appointment comes as the UK gambling sector continues to face regulatory scrutiny and evolving compliance requirements.

Commenting on her new role, Caroline Newman said:

“I’m excited to bring everything that I’ve learned throughout my career to The Pools,” Newman said.

“The Pools is an iconic, century-old brand with so much prestige and nostalgia – something very few organisations are able to say. The Pools holds a special place in people’s memories and it’s really exciting to see the company going through a transformative period, while still remaining loyal to the traditional customer base.”

She added that her focus in the new role will be on innovation and modernisation.

“I want to support The Pools in upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and player protection, especially in a landscape that continues to evolve.”

Strategic investment in compliance leadership

James Arnold, The Pools CEO, welcomed the appointment as a strategic addition to the organisation.

“We’re delighted to kick off 2026 with the appointment of Caroline Newman as our new Director of Regulatory Compliance,” he said.

“Caroline brings a wealth of experience to the organisation thanks to her time at Entain and Midnite, impressive credentials that will bring an immediate positive impact to both our team and our loyal and new customers.”

Arnold emphasised the company’s commitment to maintaining high compliance standards:

“At The Pools, we hold the highest compliance standards and with Caroline on board, we will be able to navigate a changing landscape with an industry-leading approach.”

The Pools, which celebrated its centenary in 2023, operates as the new brand identity of The Football Pools. The company holds a historic position in the UK market as both the forerunner to the National Lottery and the first business to offer a multimillion-pound jackpot prize.

Beyond its market-leading position in UK pools betting, The Pools offers customers opportunities across lotto, sports betting, casino and free-to-play games.

The strengthened compliance and customer success teams come as The Pools continues to deliver life-changing wins for players, including a recent £291,000 jackpot won by a Welsh great-grandfather, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the brand as it enters its second century of operation.