Ladbrokes Australia have gained approval for their Apple Watch app to enter the Apple App store in what is another big coup for the innovative online bookmaker.

The Apple Watch will be released in Australia next Friday, but the Ladbrokes app that was developed by the Ladbrokes IOS team in less than four weeks will be available for punters for in time for the races next Saturday.

Ladbrokes Australia Chief Information Officer Scott Hutchens said that the company had placed a great deal of focus on enhancing the experience of a customer placing a bet on their mobile phone and he believes that the Ladbrokes Apple Watch app can take user engagement to a whole new level.

“Our new app is in the app store – ready and approved for the launch of the Apple Watch,” Hutchens said.

“Our technology focus at Ladbrokes is on innovation for our punters.

“We have seen the rise of mobile to the point where it is now more than 50% of total turnover – with the phone the primary device.

“The Apple Watch becomes another device to engage with our customers for more than just novelty.

The Apple Watch extension communicates with the main Ladbrokes iOS App and will enable customers to actually bet directly from their wrist.

“It is unprecedented design and the simplest betting interface in the world.”

Ladbrokes were the first to market with their own personally branded EFTPOS card that allows punters to claim their winnings following the conclusion of a race and they have also developed innovative products such as Pick Your Own Odds, Favourite vs Field and Bet Quiz.

Ladbrokes Australia Chief Marketing Officer James Burnett believes that the development of the Apple Watch App before their competition is yet another example of the innovation that the leading online bookmaker has shown since they entered the Australian market in September of 2013.

“We are leaders in innovation across all parts of our business – and our products show this,” Burnett said.

“We were first with the Ladbrokes Payment Card, which has made every ATM in Australia a Ladbrokes payout machine, and now we’re first with the app ready for Apple Watch.”

To update or download the latest version of the Ladbrokes iOS app ahead of the release of the Apple Watch, go to the app store.