Cheltenham Festival Introduces In-Play Betting in Betting Industry Milestone

Alfie Beeching
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Cheltenham Festival Introduces In-Play Betting in Betting Industry Milestone
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In a landmark move for the betting industry, the Cheltenham Festival is set to captivate punters even more by introducing in-play betting. Strategic collaborations between Racecourse Media Group, Playtech Sports, Pythia Sports, and Quantum Leap Solutions will power it. This innovation promises to redefine the betting experience at one of horseracing’s premier events.

Key takeaways

Horseracing and betting enthusiasts are in for a treat at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, as in-play betting is introduced in the event’s history. This groundbreaking step results from a collaborative effort led by Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Playtech Sports. The move promises to elevate the excitement and engagement of punters.

A Leap Forward in Betting Technology

RMG has announced partnerships with Playtech Sports, Pythia Sports, and Quantum Leap Solutions (QLS) to ensure the revolutionary in-play betting rollout. With RMG’s 37 shareholder racecourses’ content now available for in-play betting, some 16,000 Playtech self-service betting terminals (SSBTs) across Britain and Ireland will offer punters the novel opportunity to place bets as races unfold. Initially, these terminals will provide win-only markets. However, there are plans to expand betting options in the coming months.

The significance of these collaborations cannot be overstated. Playtech’s terminals are stationed in major betting shops, including Betfred, BoyleSports, Paddy Power, and independent outlets. These terminals will be exclusive homes to this brand-new way of wagering on horse races.

Enthusiasm from the Executives

Nick Mills, RMG’s CEO, lauded the in-play betting initiative as a “significant step forward” poised to drive revenues and strengthen engagement within the betting community in Britain and Ireland. Feedback underscores the initiative’s success, with in-play bets accounting for nearly 10% of SSBT turnover on RMG content.

Similarly, Lee Drabwell of Playtech Sports praised the launch's unprecedented nature. Drabwell emphasises the partnership’s potential to enhance the in-shop racing experience. Representatives from Pythia Sports and QLS echoed these sentiments. They express pride in contributing to this innovative effort to attract new fans to horseracing.

What This Means for the Cheltenham Festival

As excitement builds for the Cheltenham Festival, the introduction of in-play betting heralds a new era for the sport of kings. This move promises to attract a broader audience to horseracing. Industry leaders expressing their optimism and commitment to continuous innovation. In fact, the future of betting on horseracing looks brighter than ever.

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Alfie Beeching
Alfie Beeching Betting Expert
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Alfie Beeching is a recognised voice within iGaming, especially when it comes to sports betting. With his 14 years of experience from the industry and incredible knowledge about everything related to sports, he is a powerful resource for our website and our readers.

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Last Updated: 9 March 2025