Nevada Board Approves Merkur Acquisition of Gaming Arts

Nevada’s Gaming Commission has given Merkur, a German game maker, the green light to operate. This allows Merkur to buy Gaming Arts, a Las Vegas company. The board voted yes after a one-hour meeting, allowing Merkur to enter the US market.

Merkur’s Acquisition of Gaming Arts Promises Growth and Job Stability in Nevada

Merkur, owned by the Gauselmann Group, will now take over Gaming Arts, a private company. Gaming Arts is known to come up with new ideas for slot machines, table games, bingo, and keno. Gaming Arts can work in about 170 different jurisdictions, making it a big player in gaming tech.

The deal gets its funding mostly from debt forgiveness and a guaranteed loan, with just a small direct purchase price. The agreement keeps all 66 Gaming Arts employees in their jobs. However, CEO Mike Dreitzer will leave in June to head the Nevada Gaming Control Board, taking over from Kirk Hendrick.

Merkur’s top executives, including Chairman Michael Gauselmann, CEO Lars Felderhoff, and other high-ranking officials, got the green light from regulators as part of the licensing process. The company’s spokespeople stressed that this was not just about money. Instead, they saw it as a team-up aimed at growing together over the long run.

Legal advisor Dennis Gutwald stressed how big the deal was. He said Merkur coming to Nevada brings a lot of stability to Gaming Arts. This matches what both local and national markets want. He also mentioned that the purchase could create jobs and keep current employees working.

Merkur Aims for Niche Growth in U.S. B2B Gaming, Avoiding Direct Consumer Play

Felderhoff explained that Merkur prioritizes long-term vision in business, not just quick profits. The company works in over 30 countries and makes money from more than 50. It sees the US market as a key next move. Instead of starting a new business from nothing, the leadership of the company thinks Gaming Arts gives them a ready-to-use way to grow faster in the area.

Felderhoff clarified that they do not aim to compete with big industry players but to carve out a strong niche in the US B2B gaming market.

Merkur does not plan to jump into the consumer-facing market, but they see potential in using Gaming Arts‘ successful online content and unique portfolio, which is different from European offerings, to boost their global presence. Nevada Commissioner Brian Krolicki viewed this move as good news for the state’s gaming scene, calling Merkur a top-notch company with a big international reach.