jili tutorial

Gustaf Hagman on AI Dealers: “We’re Not Replacing the Human Element”

By jili tutorial · October 11, 2026

Gustaf Hagman on AI Dealers: “We’re Not Replacing the Human Element”

In a recent interview with European Gaming, Gustaf Hagman, co-founder of Avanti Studios, shared insights into the company’s innovative approach to live casino gaming. Avanti Studios is at the forefront of blending artificial intelligence (AI) with human elements to redefine the live casino experience. Hagman discussed the role of certified RNGs, the importance of player acceptance, and how Avanti is navigating partnerships with major operators like bet365 and Entain. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the conversation and its implications for the future of online gaming.

Why Live Casino Needs a Modern Overhaul

The Evolution of Live Casino Production

According to Hagman, the traditional live casino model, pioneered by companies like Evolution, has been a massive success. However, it hasn’t fundamentally evolved in nearly two decades. “The underlying production model still relies on physical studios, cameras, dealers, and tables,” he explained. “It’s time for a change.”

Avanti Studios is leveraging advancements in real-time graphics, AI, and cloud computing to create a new paradigm. “If live casino were invented today with today’s technology, would anyone choose to build it the same way? We don’t think so,” Hagman said. The goal isn’t to replace live casino overnight but to evolve it into something more scalable, efficient, and engaging.

The Role of Certified RNGs in Modern Live Casino

One of the key innovations Avanti introduced is the use of certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) to determine game outcomes. “Every hand in our games is determined by a certified RNG,” Hagman clarified. This ensures fairness and auditability, aligning with industry standards for integrity.

However, the live element remains crucial. Once the RNG determines the outcome, the game’s presentation is rendered in real-time using Unreal Engine. “Every card movement, dealer animation, facial expression, and interaction is synchronized across all players at the table,” Hagman said. This blend of RNG-based outcomes and real-time rendering brings the excitement of live casino while maintaining consistency and scalability.

Player Acceptance: The Ultimate Test

Can Players Connect with Digital Dealers?

A critical concern for Avanti Studios is whether players will embrace digital dealers. “Technology alone doesn’t create engagement,” Hagman noted. “Players care about whether the experience feels enjoyable, trustworthy, and genuinely live.”

To achieve this, Avanti has invested heavily in realism. “Every facial movement, gesture, and interaction has to feel natural. If players forget they’re interacting with a digital dealer after a few minutes, we’ve done our job,” he explained. Early feedback from operators and players has been encouraging, but Hagman acknowledges that the market will ultimately decide.

Clearing Live Blackjack in Spain: A Regulatory Milestone

Spain has historically permitted only live roulette, making Avanti’s launch of Toro vs. Matador Live and Live Blackjack a significant achievement. “We worked closely with certification partners and operators to demonstrate that our games meet the same standards around fairness, integrity, and player protection,” Hagman said. The absence of physical cards and manual dealing processes reduces the risk of human error, creating a highly consistent and auditable gaming environment.

Attracting Early Adopters: bet365 and Entain

Addressing Pain Points in the Traditional Model

bet365 and Entain signed agreements with Avanti within months of its launch, even before any games went live. What convinced them? According to Hagman, it was Avanti’s ability to address the constraints of the traditional live casino model. “A table costs what it costs to staff, a new language requires a new recruitment drive, and low-stakes tables rarely cover their own overheads,” he explained. Avanti’s digital production model removes these limitations, offering operators scalability and flexibility.

Building Trust Through Transparency

Avanti’s founders, Gustaf Hagman and Jonas Delin, brought credibility to the table. “Jonas has built live casino studios, and I’ve worked on the operator side,” Hagman said. “We opened our technology early, even the unfinished parts, and took feedback seriously.” This transparency helped build trust with operators like bet365 and Entain.

Balancing Investor and Customer Relationships

Managing Genting’s Dual Role

Genting, a major investor in Avanti Studios, also serves as a commercial customer. Hagman emphasized the importance of keeping these roles separate. “Genting is an investor in Avanti. As a customer, they receive the same terms, pricing, and roadmap position as any other operator,” he said. This separation ensures fairness and avoids conflicts of interest.

The Future of Human Dealers in Live Casino

Evolving Roles in Digital Production

Avanti’s technology doesn’t aim to replace human dealers but to redefine their roles. “Traditional live casinos require thousands of people performing the same tasks daily,” Hagman explained. “Digital production creates demand for a different mix of talent: artists, animators, AI engineers, and Unreal developers.” Motion capture performers, often experienced croupiers, bring authenticity to the digital dealer experience.

Expanding Reach Without Eliminating Jobs

“We’re capturing what human dealers do and giving it a much larger reach than one table can,” Hagman said. This approach allows Avanti to preserve the human element while making live casino more accessible and scalable.

Advice for Founders: Solving Real Problems

Finding Meaningful Solutions

Hagman offered advice to aspiring founders: “If you can’t find anyone who wants the problem solved badly enough to spend time on it with you, that is information.” Identifying genuine pain points and building solutions around them is key to creating impactful innovations.

Conclusion: The Next Evolution of Live Casino

Avanti Studios is pioneering a hybrid model that blends the integrity of RNGs, the realism of digital rendering, and the authenticity of human performance. While challenges remain, particularly in player acceptance, the company’s approach represents a significant step forward in the evolution of live casino gaming. As Hagman put it, “We’re not taking the human out of the product; we’re giving it a much larger reach.”