Cryptocurrency in the gaming field provides both users and operators with considerable benefits, including convenience, speed, and cost efficiency, while significantly reducing payment processing fees, fraud risks, and chargebacks compared to fiat currencies.
These advantages led BetHog, a crypto casino and sportsbook platform, to make the bold decision to operate exclusively with cryptocurrencies. In contrast, the majority of established platforms offering crypto betting still provide both fiat and crypto payment options.

In an interview with AGB, Nigel Eccles, CEO of BetHog, shared his views on the development of the crypto casino and expressed confidence in the future of crypto-only gambling platforms, especially as crypto adoption continues to grow. “I see a future where casinos and sportsbooks will simply require users to buy crypto first,” he said.
This shift, according to Eccles, could make gambling the entry point for a new generation into the world of cryptocurrency. As more users experience the benefits of crypto, including self-custody and faster transactions, he believes they will increasingly move away from traditional financial systems.
Anjouan-licensed BetHog was launched in November 2024 by Nigel Eccles and Rob Jones, two co-founders of another sports betting platform operating in the United States, FanDuel. The inauguration of BetHog coincided with the so-called ‘Trump Bump,’ during which Bitcoin’s price surged past $100,000.
When asked whether he believes a crypto-only sportsbook and casino can succeed or if both crypto and fiat are essential for long-term success in the space, Eccles responded: “There is definitely a place for fiat, but crypto just offers massive convenience, speed, and cost advantages to users and operators. Many fiat operators are paying 12-20 percent of GGR on payments, plus dealing with fraud, chargebacks, and other issues. Crypto is better.”
“With crypto, we can reduce these costs and offer a smoother, faster experience for our customers,” Eccles explained.

Innovating the gaming experience
BetHog’s strategy goes beyond just improving payment processes. Eccles shared that one of the platform’s major focuses is enhancing the overall gaming experience. “Right now, there isn’t a lot of difference between playing casino games across 100 different crypto casinos, and we want to change that,” he said.
BetHog plans to invest heavily in the gaming experience, aiming to make it more immersive and engaging for users. In addition, Eccles sees great potential for innovation in the structure of casino games. “The five-reel format is dominant right now, but we believe there are opportunities for new formats that could revolutionize the gaming experience,” he added.
Another core element of BetHog’s vision is to bring back the social aspect of gambling.
While traditional gambling is a highly social experience, online platforms have often struggled to recreate that connection. “Offline gambling is highly social, but online platforms often miss this element. BetHog aims to change that by making the experience more interactive and engaging for users,” said.
Regulation concerns
The efficiency of cryptocurrencies offers notable advantages, but the evolving regulatory landscape may pose a growing threat to their future growth, particularly as the EU prepares for the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, which is set to take effect on December 30th, 2024.
Concerns about the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in the European Union (EU) have been voiced by various stakeholders, including Eccles, who fears that stringent regulations could stifle innovation.
“The EU has a tendency to regulate technologies to death before they even have a chance to succeed,” he said. While the US is expected to embrace new technologies, particularly crypto, Eccles worries that the EU’s stringent regulations could hinder innovation and push operators to exclude EU users. This regulatory uncertainty remains one of the significant challenges facing crypto operators today.

Focusing on Asia, Latin America, and MENA
BetHog’s primary target markets are in Asia, Latin America, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, where crypto adoption is already widespread. Eccles explained that countries with more volatile currencies have been quicker to embrace crypto, making them more promising markets compared to Western Europe and the US. “Markets like Asia and Latin America have been ahead of the curve when it comes to crypto adoption, which makes them ideal markets for us,” he said.
Although BetHog has its sights set on Western markets in the long term, Eccles acknowledged that regulatory changes will need to occur before the company can enter those markets. “We’re open to entering Western markets, but we’ll need to see a more favorable regulatory stance towards crypto for that to happen,” he added.
BetHog and BetDex: a distinct venture
Nigel Eccles also founded BetDex, a decentralized sports betting exchange built on the Solana blockchain.
BetDex was initially licensed in the Isle of Man. However, in April 2024, BetDex canceled its license and subsequently moved to Anjouan.
In the same interview, Eccles clarified the relationship between BetHog and BetDex, two projects he co-founded. He currently serves as BetDex’s non-executive chairman. Eccles emphasized that the two platforms are entirely separate entities, with different management teams and investors.
“BetDex and BetHog have distinct visions and operations. BetDex has its own direction, while BetHog is focused on creating a unique crypto-only experience,” Eccles said.
Licensing in Anjouan
BetHog chose to obtain its license in Anjouan rather than the Isle of Man, a decision that Eccles said allowed the platform to move forward quickly and cost-effectively. “Anjouan offered a solution that was dramatically faster and more affordable than alternative jurisdictions,” he explained.
While Anjouan provides more flexibility, Eccles emphasized that BetHog remains committed to building a strong compliance framework as the platform grows. “We view Anjouan as a good starting point, but we are working towards a much more robust compliance standard, particularly around KYC, AML, and responsible gambling,” he concluded.