Mobile gaming technology firm Mfuse has revealed that a record number of bets were placed via mobile gaming apps at last week’s Cheltenham Festival. In fact, more mobile bets were placed on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival than during the whole of last year’s four day meet, with the equivalent of three people every second placing a bet via a mobile gaming app in the run up to the main race of the day. Overall, the use of mobile gaming apps at the meeting increased four-fold over last year, as companies including Ladbrokes and William Hill sought to expand their use of the technology.

“This is fantastic news for Cheltenham, for race-goers and for people on the move who don’t want to miss out on the fun,” says Mfuse CEO, Marcus Wareham. “As a horse-racing enthusiast, I am immensely proud that Mfuse is associated with the most famous meeting in the racing calendar. The use of mobile gaming apps over the last year has out-paced even our own optimistic expectations. Race-goers are embracing technology which makes it possible to place a bet wherever you are: at the races or on the sofa.”

Last Monday, Mfuse launched the first live horse racing and betting app on a mobile phone in the UK. The service, available through the Ladbrokes betting app on the iPhone, allows any customer in the UK and Ireland to watch a live stream of their chosen race after they have placed a minimum £1 bet. The stream becomes active five minutes before the race, and can be watched up to 20 minutes after the event has finished. All major courses in the UK are covered.