Nigel Eccles' BetHog raises $10 million, launches AI dealer platform for casino operators

BetHog has announced a $10 million Series A financing and the launch of Sentient Studios, a new B2B provider that enables casino operators to deploy AI-powered dealers across their live online casino offerings.

BetHog positions the launch as "a software-driven alternative to traditional live dealer supply models, giving operators greater control, flexibility, and scalability in how they deliver live casino experiences."

Founded in early 2024, BetHog is a crypto casino and sportsbook led by Nigel Eccles, co-founder and former CEO of FanDuel. The casino is available in 14 languages and accepts deposits in 10 different cryptocurrencies.

The latest financing round was co-led by Will Ventures and RockawayX, with participation from PCV, 6MV, Bullpen Capital, and Advancit Capital, bringing BetHog’s total funding to $16 million. The company plans to use the capital to expand its AI dealer technology on its own platform and accelerate the adoption of Sentient Studios among global gaming operators.

“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,” said Nigel Eccles, CEO and co-founder of BetHog.

“With Sentient Labs, we’re excited to bring this product to other online casinos where operators can launch and scale their own dealer experiences instantly, operate continuously, and create more personalized interactions for players.”

BetHog positions Sentient Studios as a solution to challenges faced by operators today, as they rely on third-party providers to supply live dealer tables, which can limit flexibility around capacity, localization, and differentiation.

The company says Sentient Studios removes these constraints by allowing operators to dynamically scale table availability, support a broader range of languages and player segments, and adapt experiences in real time without being tied to studio staffing cycles.

According to BetHog, the platform also enables a new level of customization, allowing operators to create unique dealer personas, branded environments, and premium experiences that are fully owned within their product, rather than shared across a broader supplier ecosystem.

The launch builds on BetHog’s first AI-powered blackjack dealer, Sunny, first introduced in October 2025 and now available in 12 languages, which has become one of the most played games on the company’s platform. BetHog plans to expand its AI dealer capabilities later this year with the addition of Baccarat and Roulette.

Sentient Studios operates on a pure revenue-share model with no setup fees, monthly minimums, or fixed-term contracts, which seeks to lower the barrier for operators to test, launch, and scale live casino.