The new Apple Watch wearable device won’t even begin shipping until April 24 but gambling operators are already lining up to ensure customers have the option of wagering via their new toy.

Apple has traditionally kept a tight leash on betting apps in its App Store, removing apps from that conflict with local gambling laws. In 2013, Apple yanked PokerStars and 888 Holdings’ online poker apps from the Australian App Store because the country only permits online sports betting. More recently, Sweden convinced Apple to purge online gambling apps from the Swedish App Store because they were stealing the thunder of local monopoly Svenska Spel.

The Aussie division of UK-listed betting operator Ladbrokes is claiming to be the first bookie to receive Apple’s approval of a new Apple Watch betting app (pictured). Ladbrokes Australia chief information officer Scott Hutchens told Horseracing.com.au that the Apple Watch extension “communicates with the main Ladbrokes iOS app and will enable customers to actually bet directly from their wrist.”

Hutchens said mobile wagering accounted for more than 50% of total betting turnover, “with the phone the primary device.” But Hutchens insisted the Apple Watch app was “more than just novelty … It is unprecedented design and the simplest betting interface in the world.” Ladbrokes Australia’s boffins reportedly churned out the Apple Watch app in less than a month.

Just 12% of last year’s visitors to Las Vegas came primarily to gamble, according to a new survey by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA).

The share of people coming to Sin City primarily to gamble fell three points from 2013, although the figure was three points higher than 2010’s 9%. Of the 41.1m visitors that Vegas welcomed last year, around 71% placed at least one bet during their say, about the same as in 2013. But that figure was down from 80% in 2010.

Among those who gambled during their stay, the average gambling budget was $530, virtually unchanged from 2013 but up around 16% from 2010. Gamblers spent an average of 2.6 hours per day testing their luck, down 0.3 hours from 2013.

The average Vegas visitor spent $282 on food and drink, virtually unchanged from 2013 but up nearly 10% from 2010. The average shopping budget was $150, up 6% from 2013 and 22% more than in 2010. Spending on shows was up nearly 24% from 2013 but down 3.5% from 2010.