Gauselmann Group / MERKUR GROUP

History

Merkur Group traces its roots to 1957, when Paul Gauselmann began installing jukeboxes part-time in Coesfeld, Germany. After developing a patented remote selection box for jukeboxes, he became fully self-employed in 1964. Facing a supply boycott from external manufacturers in 1972, he decided to develop his own gaming machines and founded adp Gauselmann GmbH. The first self-developed amusement-with-prizes machine, the Merkur B, launched in 1977, and the iconic laughing Merkur sun logo was created that same year by artist Werner Ganteföhr. International expansion began in the 1980s and 1990s, with subsidiaries like Atronic driving foreign growth, and the UK market was entered through the acquisition of Praesepe (Cashino) in 2014.

Business Model and Governance

The group operates across multiple verticals: land-based slot machine manufacturing (adp MERKUR GmbH), B2B distribution of cabinets and games (Merkur Gaming), a chain of around 800 amusement arcades (Merkur Casinos), sports betting (Xtip), online gaming, and digital content. It also provides payment kiosk solutions through GeWeTe. Governance was restructured in 2024, with founder Paul Gauselmann stepping down as Chairman of the Management Board on 1 October 2024, succeeded by long-time CFO Lars Felderhoff. Michael Gauselmann, Paul’s son, became Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Gauselmann Family Foundation.

Products and Brands

Merkur Gaming – B2B division developing and distributing land-based slot machines and game content worldwide. adp MERKUR GmbH – Core development and production unit for gaming machines and amusement-with-prizes equipment. Merkur Casinos – Chain of 800+ amusement arcades across Europe. GeWeTe – Self-service kiosk solutions for coin handling and ticketing. Xtip – Sports betting brand for retail and online wagering in Germany and selected European markets. Praesepe (Cashino) – UK-based operator of adult gaming centres acquired by Merkur Group.

Market Position and Recent Developments

Merkur Group is a dominant force in European gambling, with strong regulatory compliance and lobbying presence. In the 2025 financial year, it reported total group revenue of €2.103 billion and employed 15,254 staff. Among recent developments, the group agreed to acquire US slots provider White Hat Studios in July 2026, marking a significant push into the North American market. The group also continues to expand its land-based casino footprint, such as taking over the Spielbanken Niedersachsen casinos in Germany.