BetHog has announced the closure of its crypto casino and sportsbook, effective July 30. This decision comes as the company shifts its focus entirely to Sentient Studios, its AI dealer platform, driven by increasing demand from operators.
CEO Nigel Eccles shared with Gambling Insider that the growing interest in their AI dealer technology was the primary reason for this strategic pivot, rather than any decline in the casino's performance.
Customers have been informed that they will no longer be able to place bets or participate in casino games after July 30. They will have until August 31 to withdraw their funds; after this date, they must reach out to customer support for assistance.
This announcement follows BetHog's recent success in raising $10 million in Series A funding and the launch of Sentient Studios, which provides AI-powered live dealers to online casinos.
Eccles emphasized that the company initially aimed to operate both consumer and supplier businesses but has now recognized the potential in focusing solely on AI-driven gaming solutions. He noted that operators are eager to implement branded live dealer games without upfront costs or monthly fees.
While no commercial partnerships have been finalized yet, Eccles mentioned that discussions with various operators are ongoing, and he anticipates announcements soon.
With the closure of BetHog, the entire engineering team will now concentrate on enhancing the AI dealer offerings. Eccles stated that this shift will enable faster development and improvement of existing games, such as blackjack and baccarat, which will feature more responsive dealers.