As the gambling industry winds down an eventful 2024, significant changes are taking place. Nigel Eccles, the Co-Founder of FanDuel and now the CEO of BetHog, has been at the forefront of many of these shifts. His new venture, BetHog, a cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook that went live just last month, is already gaining attention for its innovative approach to gaming.
A New Era for Crypto Casinos
BetHog’s November 2024 launch is one of the more notable moves in the gambling world. With a $6 million seed round led by 6MV and participation from Will Ventures, Bullpen Capital, Karatage, and Advancit Capital, the startup is positioned to shake up the traditional gambling space. BetHog’s vision? To build a unique, social casino experience that not only appeals to the individual player but to the growing desire for communal, interactive gaming.
“We see an opportunity to build new casino games that are much more interactive and social,” Eccles shares with Yogonet. This focus on interactivity is exemplified in BetHog’s flagship game, Hogger, which lets players join in on the action alongside their favourite streamers. It’s clear that BetHog is capitalising on the massive influence of streamers in the gambling world—a trend that’s gaining significant traction.
“Players don’t just want to play anymore,” says Eccles. “They want to be part of something. They want to experience the highs and lows of the game alongside someone they admire. Hogger gives them just that.”
BetHog’s commitment to game releases is equally bold, with a planned release of one new title every two months, a pace the company intends to maintain well into 2025. The casino platform, built on Solana, also supports SOL as its primary token for player-versus-player (PvP) games, while other options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT are available for different game categories. BetHog’s global reach is notable, though it faces some jurisdictional restrictions, notably in the US and UK.
The Growing Influence of Crypto Casinos
2024 has been a landmark year for the growth of crypto casinos, which Eccles believes are now reshaping the broader gambling landscape. Crypto casinos aren’t just catching up—they’re rapidly outpacing their traditional counterparts in terms of innovation. This growth is driven by a few key factors: streaming, new game formats like crash games, and the ease of using cryptocurrencies.
“Crypto casinos have made it easier to get involved and more fun at the same time,” Eccles says. “With the integration of streaming, it’s no longer just about spinning reels and waiting for a win. It’s about community and engagement.”
He’s not wrong. The incorporation of live streaming into casino games has fundamentally changed how players interact with these platforms. Instead of playing in isolation, gamblers are now able to interact with streamers and other players in real time, forming communities around the games they play.
As Eccles explains, this move towards community-driven gaming is a defining characteristic of the newer crypto casinos, a far cry from the solitary experience offered by traditional platforms. “We’re starting to see strong buy-in from streamers who see real value in having new ways to interact with their fans. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Moving Away from Traditional Casino Game Formats
One of the most significant predictions for 2025, according to Eccles, is the rise of new game types that break away from the typical five-reel slot format. “We will see an emergence of new types of games that break with the typical five-reel casino game format,” Eccles states with certainty. This shift will challenge the established norms and provide players with fresh experiences that go beyond traditional slots and table games.
BetHog is already embracing this philosophy, offering a diverse range of games that blend traditional content from well-known studios like Pragmatic and Evolution, with exclusive BetHog Originals. These BetHog Originals include new twists on popular game genres like crash and mines, as well as innovative PvP game formats.
Rather than sticking rigidly to the traditional expectations of what a casino game should look like, BetHog is focused on creating unique, dynamic experiences that allow players to engage with their games on a deeper level. As Eccles says, “The idea is to break the mould and give people something new, something that keeps them coming back.”
The Road Ahead for the Gambling Industry
Looking ahead, one of the biggest hurdles for the gambling industry will be attracting more players, particularly those unfamiliar with the concept of cryptocurrency-based casinos. For BetHog, education and user-friendliness will be key to overcoming this challenge. As Eccles points out, creating a seamless experience for players—whether they are crypto novices or seasoned users—is critical.
“A major trend for the industry will be to continue to onboard more users into cryptocurrency,” Eccles notes. “We have to make sure the interfaces are simple, the transactions are transparent, and the experience is enjoyable. If we can do that, we’ll be able to reach a much broader audience.”
BetHog’s emphasis on community, innovation, and education is already setting it apart from the competition. By focusing on both technological advancements and the human side of gaming—making it more social and interactive—the company is positioned for success in 2025 and beyond.
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