Gauselmann Group

Founded: 1957-01-01 in Espelkamp, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Headquarters: Espelkamp and Lübbecke, Germany

The Gauselmann Group, fully rebranded as Merkur Group (officially Merkur.com AG) in 2023/2024, is one of Europe’s largest family-owned gaming and entertainment conglomerates. Founded in 1957 by Paul Gauselmann as a one-man sideline installing jukeboxes, the group has grown into an international powerhouse with approximately 15,000 employees and consolidated revenues of around €2.1 billion (2025). Headquartered in the twin towns of Espelkamp and Lübbecke, Germany, the group develops, manufactures, and distributes slot machines, operates over 800 amusement arcades under the Merkur Spielothek brand, and is active in sports betting, online casino, financial payment services, and casino management. Its B2B arm, Merkur Gaming, supplies gaming content and hardware to operators across Europe, while subsidiaries like GeWeTe provide self-service payment kiosks and EPG Financial Services deliver payment solutions. The group’s flagship product line, the Merkur brand, was launched in 1977 with the Merkur B machine and has since become synonymous with German arcade gaming. In 2024, founder Paul Gauselmann stepped down from executive management after 67 years, passing leadership to a new board chaired by Lars Felderhoff. The company remains wholly owned by the Gauselmann Family Foundation, ensuring long-term stability and strategic focus on innovation, compliance, and responsible gambling.

Detailed Review

History & Evolution

The Gauselmann Group began in spring 1957 when Paul Gauselmann, then a telecommunications inspector, started installing jukeboxes as a part-time venture. By 1964 he had left his day job, and the business had grown to 15 employees installing 300 machines in pubs and restaurants. In 1972, after a supply boycott by a machine manufacturer, Gauselmann decided to develop his own gaming machines, founding adp Gauselmann GmbH alongside engineer Friedel Horstmann.

The first internally developed machine, the Merkur B, received regulatory approval in December 1976 and was launched in 1977. The name “Merkur” was chosen because 1977 was the Year of Mercury (the god of merchants). In 1974, Gauselmann opened the first Merkur-Spielothek arcade in Delmenhorst, revolutionising the sector with a clean, hotel-like environment that became the standard for German arcades.

The group consolidated its holdings under Gauselmann AG in 1980 and expanded aggressively through the 1990s, entering international markets via subsidiary Atronic (founded 1993). In 2000, the group began investing heavily in the UK, acquiring the Praesepe chain (now Cashino) and spending over £500 million in the British market by 2024.

In 2023/2024, the group completed a corporate rebranding from Gauselmann Group to Merkur Group, aligning all divisions under the Merkur sun logo. The name change was accompanied by a generational leadership transition in October 2024, when 90-year-old founder Paul Gauselmann retired from active management, handing the chairmanship to Lars Felderhoff.

Operations & Market Presence

The Merkur Group operates through several verticals:

- Land-based gaming: Development, manufacturing, and distribution of slot machines (Merkur cabinets) and operation of around 800 amusement arcades in Germany (Merkur Spielothek) and over 200 in the UK (Cashino). - Online gaming: Sports betting (Merkur Sports) and casino (Merkur Magie) platforms, powered by in-house software and third-party integrations. - B2B supply: Merkur Gaming provides hardware, software, and game content to regulated operators across Europe, the Balkans, Latin America, and increasingly the US. - Payment solutions: GeWeTe (self-service kiosks for cash handling, ticket redemption, and payment terminals) and EPG Financial Services (German-licensed payment institution). - Casino management: Operating physical casinos in Germany and other European jurisdictions.

The group serves over 30 countries and holds licences in Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, Romania, Serbia, and many other markets.

Recent Developments (2024–2026)

- July 2026: Merkur Group agreed to acquire US slots provider White Hat Studios, expanding its footprint in the American iGaming market. - October 2024: Founder Paul Gauselmann stepped down as Chairman; Lars Felderhoff became Chairman of the Management Board; Michael Gauselmann took over as Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Gauselmann Family Foundation. - January 2024: Rebrand to Merkur Group finalised; Gauselmann AG renamed Merkur.com AG. - 2025: Group revenue exceeded €2.1 billion, with headcount reaching 15,254.

Compliance & Responsibility

The group is a founding member of the German Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) framework and adheres to strict German and EU gambling regulations. It operates a comprehensive responsible gambling programme, including player spend limits, self-exclusion schemes, and staff training.

Key Products

Merkur B / Merkur Cabinets
Land-based slot machines. The original Merkur B (1977) and later cabinet series – electronic gaming machines for pubs, arcades, and casinos. Known for their distinctive sun logo and reliable hardware.
Merkur Spielothek
Amusement arcade chain with over 800 locations in Germany offering slot machines, video bingo, and electronic roulette in a supervised, hotel-style environment.
Cashino (formerly Praesepe)
UK-based arcade chain with over 200 venues, acquired in 2000 and expanded through the Praesepe acquisition.
Merkur Gaming
B2B gaming platform supplying software, game content, and hardware to third-party operators in >30 countries. Includes the Merkur XT series of terminals and the Merkur Games library of titles.
GeWeTe
Self-service kiosks for payment and ticket redemption in arcades, casinos, and COAM (Georgia) markets. Strategic partner Betson Enterprises for US distribution.
EPG Financial Services
German-licensed financial services provider offering cashless payment, e-wallet, and money transfer solutions for gaming operators.
Merkur Sports
Online sports betting platform operating primarily in Germany and select European markets.
Merkur Magie
Online casino platform featuring slots, table games, and live dealer, available in regulated markets.
Atronic
Historically founded in 1993 to drive international expansion; now integrated into Merkur Gaming. Known for Atronic-branded slot machines in the US and Europe.
White Hat Studios (pending acquisition)
US-focused online slots provider acquired in July 2026 to strengthen Merkur’s digital presence in North America.

Offices & Headcount

15254 employees (approx.)

Key Persons

Manfred Stoffers
Vice Chairman (Communication, Public & Legal Affairs)
Jürgen Stühmeyer
Vice Chairman (Sales)
Michael Gauselmann
Chairman of the Supervisory Board; Chairman of the Gauselmann Family Foundation
Paul Gauselmann
Founder (Executive Chairman until 30 Sep 2024; now retired from management, remains involved via Family Foundation)
Ludwig Beckmann
Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer
Lars Felderhoff
Chairman of the Management Board