BetHog raises $10m to launch AI dealer studio
Table of contents
- Crypto casino and sportsbook BetHog says it has closed a $10m Series A round, bringing total self-reported funding to $16m.
- The company has launched Sentient Studios, a B2B platform offering AI-powered dealers to third-party operators on a revenue-share model with no setup fees or fixed-term contracts.
- BetHog claims its AI blackjack dealer Sunny is 10 times more popular than its live dealer equivalent, based on six months of internal testing.
BetHog, a crypto casino and sportsbook co-founded by FanDuel co-founder Nigel Eccles, says it has raised $10m in a Series A funding round and simultaneously launched Sentient Studios, a B2B platform positioned as an alternative to traditional live dealer infrastructure.
According to the company, the round was co-led by Will Ventures and RockawayX, with participation from PCV, 6MV, Bullpen Capital and Advancit Capital, bringing BetHog’s total self-reported funding to $16m.
Challenging the studio model
Sentient Studios is positioned as a competing alternative to the conventional live dealer supply model, which relies on third-party studios and human croupiers. The market has seen continued investment in traditional infrastructure, with operators such as Casumo recently partnering with live casino providers to build dedicated, branded studios.
Rather than depending on third-party providers, operators using Sentient Studios can scale table availability dynamically, support multiple languages and retain greater control over branding and player experience. The platform operates on a pure revenue-share basis with no setup fees, monthly minimums or fixed-term contracts.
Sunny leads the way
The launch builds on BetHog’s AI blackjack dealer, Sunny, introduced in October 2025 and now available in 12 languages. BetHog says the product has become one of the most-played games on its platform.
Eccles said:
“We’ve tested our basic AI dealer over the past six 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. With Sentient Studios, 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.”
The 10x popularity figure is based on internal data; BetHog has not disclosed the methodology or metrics used. The company says it is licensed and regulated in certain international jurisdictions and does not operate in regulated US markets. Players can deposit using any of 10 cryptocurrencies.
What comes next
BetHog plans to expand its AI dealer offering later in 2026 with baccarat and roulette. For operators evaluating the technology, the revenue-share structure removes the upfront capital commitment that has historically made live casino a high-cost vertical to enter.
Questions around regulatory certification, game integrity standards and responsible gambling compliance will need to be resolved by both operators and licensing bodies before wider adoption becomes viable in regulated markets.
Keep reading
Do you have a story worth sharing?
Send it over to our editors!
