Sentient Studios Gets Backing As BetHog Eyes Wider AI Dealer Rollout

BetHog Casino is turning its in-house AI dealer experiment into a wider industry play after raising $10 million in Series A funding to scale Sentient Studios, its new B2B live casino product.

The round was co-led by Will Ventures and RockawayX, with participation from PCV, 6MV, Bullpen Capital, and Advancit Capital. BetHog says the raise brings total funding to $16 million, giving the crypto-first operator fresh capital to expand its AI dealer tech on its own casino while pushing Sentient Studios to gaming operators worldwide.

$10M Series A fuels BetHog’s bigger AI dealer push

BetHog’s pitch is simple - give operators a software-driven alternative to traditional live dealer supply that’s easier to test, quicker to launch, and simpler to scale. The company plans to invest the funding in two directions: broader AI dealer coverage inside BetHog’s own lobby and faster adoption of Sentient Studios as a plug-in product for other casinos.

A major hook for operators is the commercial setup. Sentient Studios runs on a pure revenue-share model with no setup fees, no monthly minimums, and no fixed-term contracts, according to BetHog. That structure is designed to remove the usual commitment friction that comes with adding live tables, especially for brands that want to pilot new formats before dedicating studio capacity or long integrations.

Why Sentient Studios targets the pain points of live dealer tables

Operators typically rely on third-party studios to supply live dealer tables, a model that can create bottlenecks around capacity and localization - and limits how far a brand can tailor the on-table experience.

BetHog says Sentient Studios is built to remove those constraints by letting casinos scale table availability on demand, expand language coverage, and adapt experiences in real time without being tied to staffing cycles. The platform also aims to give brands more room to differentiate, including custom dealer personas, branded environments, and bespoke table experiences that fit a specific audience segment rather than a one-size lobby.

BetHog’s “10X” claim: what the six-month test revealed

BetHog Co-Founder and CEO Nigel Eccles said the operator’s internal testing is driving the B2B decision.

“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,” Eccles said.

He added that the company wants operators to be able to “launch and scale their own dealer experiences instantly, operate continuously, and create more personalized interactions for players.”

The upside BetHog is selling is twofold - more engagement at the table and less operational drag behind the scenes. If those metrics hold up outside BetHog’s own player base, Sentient Studios could become a new way for casinos to add live-style content without expanding physical studios or negotiating additional table allocations.

From Sunny the AI blackjack dealer to baccarat and roulette next

Sentient Studios builds on BetHog’s first AI-powered blackjack dealer, Sunny, introduced in October 2025. BetHog says Sunny is now available in 12 languages and has become one of the most played games on the platform.

The company plans to expand its AI dealer lineup later this year by adding baccarat and roulette - two staples that could dramatically widen the addressable audience for AI-hosted live casino sessions and make the product easier for operators to slot into existing lobbies.

Crypto-first speed meets a B2B distribution plan

BetHog’s path mirrors a familiar tech playbook - iterate fast in a crypto environment, prove engagement with live data, then package the product for broader adoption.

The operator argues that crypto rails reduce payment friction and allow faster product iteration than regulated approval cycles, making it possible to ship features quickly, tune them based on behavior, and build a performance narrative around usage and retention. Sentient Studios is the next step - turning that internal toolset into a product other operators can deploy alongside their current live dealer offering rather than ripping out existing studios.

What this could mean for players on BetHog Casino

For players, a wider AI dealer rollout is about more table availability, more language options, and more consistent pacing across sessions - with the added twist of dealer personas that can be tailored to different vibes and play styles. BetHog is also stacking engagement hooks around its ecosystem, including its VIP rakeback offer and a rotating slate of promos designed to keep bankrolls active between sessions.

Players looking to check out the platform can see current promotions, payment options like Bitcoin/BTC, and supported banking rails such as Visa and MasterCard on the BetHog Casino page.

Sentient Studios is now positioned as BetHog’s biggest expansion lever - not just a feature inside a single crypto casino, but a product that could reshape how operators build, localize, and scale live casino tables in the months ahead.