Merkur Spielothek (later Merkur Operations)
- Founded
- 1974-01-01 in Espelkamp, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Headquarters
- Lübbecke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Merkur Operations, formerly known as Merkur Spielothek, is the core retail and operational division of the German family-owned Merkur Group. Since opening its first amusement arcade in Espelkamp in 1974, the division has grown into a multi-channel operator managing over 400 gaming arcades across Germany, Austria, and Spain, as well as a growing number of casino venues in the United Kingdom. It also operates online casino brands such as Merkur Slots and Merkur Bingo, and supplies B2B slot machines and gaming software under the Merkur Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, and bede Gaming labels. The division benefits from vertical integration with its sister companies and is a major revenue driver for the group, which reported over €2.7 billion in external sales in fiscal 2025 and employs nearly 15,300 people. In 2024-2025, the Merkur Group restructured its management board, appointing Meik Sellenriek as the board member directly responsible for Merkur Operations. Recent strategic moves include the acquisition of Lower Saxony state casinos and a pending purchase of White Hat Studios, which will bolster the division's presence in the U.S. iGaming market.
Detailed Review
History
Merkur Operations traces its roots to Paul Gauselmann’s jukebox business founded in 1957. The first Merkur Spielothek arcade opened in Espelkamp, Germany, in 1974, marking the group’s direct entry into retail gaming. Over the 1980s and 1990s, the chain became Germany’s largest operator of slot-machine arcades. In the 2000s, the brand expanded internationally, launching Merkur Casino outlets in the UK and developing an online presence. A major restructuring around 2024 formally separated the retail and operational segment from the B2B manufacturing arm, designating it as Merkur Operations. In January 2025, Meik Sellenriek was appointed to the group management board with specific responsibility for this division.
Business Model & Products
Merkur Operations runs a vertically integrated model, sourcing slot machines and digital content from sister companies adp MERKUR GmbH, Blueprint Gaming, and bede Gaming. Its key brands include Merkur Spielothek retail arcades, Merkur Casino UK land-based venues, online brands Merkur Slots and Merkur Bingo, and B2B supply under Merkur Gaming. The division also benefits from GeWeTe’s self-service kiosk and cash-handling solutions. Recent acquisitions, such as the 2025 takeover of Lower Saxony state casinos and the pending purchase of White Hat Studios, are expanding its footprint in regulated markets and the U.S.
Market Position & Leadership
Merkur Operations is the largest revenue contributor within the Merkur Group, which reported external sales of €2.7 billion in its 2024/25 financial year and employed 15,254 people at year-end. The division is led by Meik Sellenriek as part of the group’s management board. Other group-level board members include Dominik Raasch (production/technology) and David Schnabel (service/sales), while founder Paul Gauselmann remains on the Gauselmann Family Foundation board. The division focuses on digitalisation, responsible gambling compliance, and expansion into new jurisdictions, particularly in the U.S. via the White Hat Studios deal.
Key Products
Merkur Spielothek
Retail gaming arcades across Germany and Austria.
Merkur Casino UK
Land-based casinos and online casino (Merkur Slots, Merkur Bingo) in the United Kingdom.
Merkur Gaming
B2B brand supplying slot machines and gaming software to third-party operators.
Blueprint Gaming
Multi-platform digital game development studio owned by the group.
bede Gaming
Online casino and sportsbook platform provider.
GeWeTe
Self-service kiosk and cash-handling solutions for gaming venues.
White Hat Studios
Pending acquisition; U.S.-focused online slots provider.
Key Persons
Paul GauselmannFounder (retired from executive management; remains on Gauselmann Family Foundation board)
- Meik Sellenriek
Management Board Member responsible for Merkur Operations
- Dominik Raasch
Management Board Member (group level; oversees production/technology)
- David Schnabel
Management Board Member (group level; responsible for service and sales)
Notable past members
- Michael Gauselmann — Manager