BetHog has raised $10 million and launched a new AI dealer platform, as CEO Nigel Eccles says the technology is already outperforming traditional live dealers in player engagement.
Crypto casino and sportsbook BetHog has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round and launched Sentient Studios, a new B2B platform to bring AI-powered live dealers to online casino operators.
Will Ventures and RockawayX co-led the funding, with participation from PCV, 6MV, Bullpen Capital, and Advancit Capital, bringing total BetHog funding to $16 million.
Nigel Eccles, CEO and co-founder of BetHog and a co-founder of FanDuel, said in a release announcing the funding raise:
We’ve tested our basic AI dealer over the past 6 months and have discovered that it is 10X more popular than its live dealer equivalent. In addition, we’ve seen better retention and player satisfaction.”
BetHog’s AI Dealer Demo
B2B Push Beyond the BetHog Platform
At launch, the technology is only available on BetHog’s own platform. However, Eccles told Gambling Insider that the company is already in discussions with other operators.
In the press release, the company said the Sentient Studios platform aims to address constraints in the current live-dealer model, where operators typically rely on third-party providers for studio-based dealers.
According to BetHog, the current structure can limit flexibility around capacity, localization, and product differentiation. Sentient Studios, in contrast, enables operators to dynamically scale table availability and support multiple languages. It also allows them to tailor dealer experiences in real time.
AI to Improve Player Experience
Eccles told Gambling Insider that AI dealers may reduce friction for users who might be intimidated by live dealers:
We’ve actually found with our V1 that players are 10 times more likely to try our AI-powered live dealer than a human-powered live dealer. They report it as more welcoming and less intimidating.”
He also framed AI dealers as a response to structural limitations in the human dealer model:
A human-powered [live dealer] promises, but in reality, live dealers are typically hired for minimum wage, working late nights and speaking in a non-native language. Additionally, they aren’t incentivized to make the stream interesting; in fact, they are fined for making mistakes. Unsurprisingly, average tenure in the role is typically measured in months.”
The result is that 95%+ of streams are dull with dealers speaking robotically and often incoherently. In this scenario, AI can actually deliver a more human experience than humans. Additionally, they can remember you, and never get tired or bored.”
Product Roadmap and Economics
The launch builds on BetHog’s AI blackjack dealer “Sunny,” introduced in October 2025 and now available in 12 languages. The company said it plans to expand into baccarat and roulette later this year.
Sentient Studios will operate on a revenue-share model, with no setup fees or minimum commitments. That lowers the barriers for operators to test the product. BetHog said it will use the proceeds from the Series A to expand its AI dealer technology and accelerate adoption among global operators.
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