Merkur Gaming Makes Bold US Return: Completes Acquisition of Gaming Arts

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Merkur Group has officially finalized its acquisition of Las Vegas-based Gaming Arts, marking a significant re-entry into the U.S. gaming market after a two-decade absence. The deal, which closed on September 15 following regulatory approvals earlier this year, integrates Gaming Arts’ expertise in slot machines, bingo, keno, and electronic table games with Merkur’s global reach and resources.

Key Takeaways

Merkur Group has successfully acquired Gaming Arts, LLC.
This acquisition signifies Merkur’s return to the U.S. gaming market after a 20-year hiatus.
The deal was completed on September 15, following regulatory approval in May.
Gaming Arts brings an established customer base and licenses in over 155 jurisdictions.
The combined entity aims to leverage Merkur’s global presence with Gaming Arts’ U.S. market expertise for innovation and growth.

Strategic Re-entry into the U.S. Market

The acquisition is a cornerstone of Merkur’s strategy to re-establish its presence in the United States, a market known for its stringent regulations and high prestige. "This acquisition is a key element of our re-entry strategy into the U.S. market," stated Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member at Merkur Games. "With Gaming Arts, we are now able to place Merkur products directly in a wide range of U.S. jurisdictions. This marks an important step in expanding our international growth beyond European borders."

Gaming Arts’ Established Foothold

Gaming Arts, a pioneer in technological innovation within the U.S. gaming sector, boasts a team of 68 employees. The company specializes in developing slot machines, bingo, keno solutions, and electronic table games tailored to U.S. market preferences. Its existing network and customer base, coupled with licenses in over 155 jurisdictions, provide Merkur with an immediate platform for expansion in North America. Robert Ziems, CEO of Gaming Arts, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, "With Merkur’s global reach and resources behind us, we are positioned to deliver bold innovation and world-class execution like never before."

Future Growth and Integration

The integration will see Merkur’s cabinets, including the recently launched Mod Ex family, incorporated into Gaming Arts’ portfolio, combined with Gaming Arts’ proprietary game content. This synergy is expected to drive significant growth opportunities and strengthen Merkur Group’s overall international expansion efforts. Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Management Board at Merkur Group, highlighted the strategic importance, stating, "This facilitates exciting growth opportunities in North America, strengthens synergies within Merkur Group, and contributes meaningfully to our global expansion."

Merkur’s commitment to regulatory compliance, underscored by its Nevada manufacturing and distribution license granted in May, is expected to be a foundational element of its U.S. market strategy. This move aligns with a broader trend of international suppliers increasing their focus on the lucrative U.S. gaming landscape.