BetGames research reveals more than 70% of players failed to recognise AI avatar gameshow presenters

Results show no anomalies in player behaviour, including stakes and session length

BetGames has unveiled the findings from its research project in which human presenters were replaced with AI replicas – fewer than 30% of players noticed the hosts were AI-generated, and there were no significant deviations in key performance metrics.

The AI avatars – designed as digital clones of real presenters – were introduced covertly on one of BetGames’ live game shows and trialled across several days to assess their viability as alternatives to human hosts.

In addition to more than two-thirds of users failing to notice the shift, no statistical anomalies were reported in metrics such as session length, stake size, and number of bets placed.

BetGames noted a lack of both positive and negative movement, suggesting that, while AI avatars can technically replicate the role of live presenters, they currently deliver no measurable advantage, meaning there is not yet a strong enough business case to roll out the technology at scale.

While cost-efficiency is often cited as a primary driver of AI adoption, the supplier reported no substantial financial upside of AI presenters, with the generation and running of an avatar on a 24/7 basis remaining resource-intensive.

Another barrier stunting the widespread implementation of AI hosts is the challenge of engineering realistic text-to-speech. As advancing technology further blurs the lines between what is real and what is AI, small imperfections in speech become increasingly noticeable.

The current constraints include latency challenges, lip synchronisation delays, and real-time translation inaccuracies, all critical components which must be addressed before the technology can be implemented across products.

BetGames continues to lead the way in AI exploration under the leadership of CEO Andreas Koeberl, who is also the co-founder of Autonomous Minds, the developer of AI analyst Milo. The initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to driving meaningful change and future-proofing the iGaming industry.

Andreas Koeberl, CEO at BetGames, said: “AI has been building up a head of steam, but its implications in the live casino space remain largely untested. When it comes to AI presenters, we built it, it worked, and nobody cared. That raises the question of what we are actually working toward.

“The technology didn’t have a positive or negative effect on the player experience or product margins, and the cost of running an AI avatar 24/7 bears no significant advantage over employing human presenters.

“So, rather than trying to replace humans and simulating what already exists, focus should turn towards what AI can make possible that wasn’t before. That’s where the real value lies.”