European Casinos-The Elite

27/11/2025

MERKUR GROUP STRENGTHENS ITS MARKET PRESENCE IN SPAIN
CORPORATE GROUP ACQUIRES ELEVEN NEW ARCADES AND EXPANDS GAMING MACHINE OPERATIONS ACROSS MORE THAN 100 BARS
Merkur Slots Spain has completed the acquisition of a total of eleven arcades operated by arcade operator Operjoku S.L.U. in the Basque Country. In addition, the subsidiary of Merkur Group, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, will take over the operation of gaming machines in 108 bars previously serviced by Operkale S.L.U., a specialist in the placement of gaming machines in gastronomy in the autonomous region of northern Spain. Implemented in cooperation with the Spanish distributor Merkur Dosniha, the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the company’s brand presence, representing its first entry into Spain’s highly profitable hospitality installation segment.
With this step, the East Westphalian corporate group continues its international growth trajectory. Meik Sellenriek, Management Board Member, Merkur Operations at Merkur.com AG, welcomed the development: “Spain is a market of great importance and long-term potential for the Merkur Group. This acquisition clearly underlines that. We are proud to welcome around 50 new employees to the company and look forward with confidence to strengthening our market position.”
Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games at Merkur.com AG, also expressed his delight: “There are strong synergies between the Merkur Group’s business divisions. The successful acquisition of Operjoku and Operkale demonstrates how effectively we leverage these synergies to support our sustainable growth. We are particularly pleased to now offer our innovative gaming machines and games in our own arcades and bars in the Basque Country – one of Spain’s most economically powerful regions.”
The Merkur Group employs more than 15,000 people worldwide and operates 28 venues in Spain. In addition to the eleven locations in the Basque Country, further branches are located in the holiday destination of Palma de Mallorca, in Madrid and in the provinces of Navarre and Cantabria. With this expansion on the Iberian Peninsula, Merkur Slots Spain strengthens its position in one of Europe’s most significant gaming markets and continues to expand its land-based presence.

27/11/2025

MICHAEL GAUSELMANN TURNS 70: ENTREPRENEUR, INNOVATOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD OF THE MERKUR GROUP
“Everything I do, I do with great passion.” A glance at the life of Michael Gauselmann quickly reveals why the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Merkur Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation chose these words. He can look back on 70 years dedicated to businesses, products and people – shaped by his passion for gaming, entrepreneurial courage and clear, forward-looking decisions.
Born on 28 November 1955 as the second son of company founder Paul Gauselmann, Michael Gauselmann became familiar with the world of vending machines early on. From the age of 13, he spent every school holiday working in his father’s company – always in different departments. This early mix of hands-on experience and an understanding of processes and figures laid the foundation for his later career.
After completing his A-levels, he studied Business Administration at the University of Hamburg, specialising in IT, statistics and marketing. As a graduate, he combined numerical expertise, technical affinity and market awareness – a combination that would later fuel numerous innovations within the Group. In 1982, he joined Nova-Apparate in Hamburg as Executive Assistant, before becoming Commercial Manager of Franken-Automaten Südvertrieb a year later. With the company’s integration into what was then the Gauselmann Group, his true journey within the family business began.
The years that followed were characterised by rapid advancement and significant responsibility. From 1984 to 1986, Michael Gauselmann served as Commercial Manager of today’s adp Merkur as well as CFO of the Group. He then took over management of the former Merkur Spielothek, now Merkur Operations, until 1992 – during a period of strong expansion with around 250 arcades in Germany.
A year later, his focus increasingly shifted to international markets. The “game designer at heart”, as he describes himself, played a pivotal role in developing the Group’s global activities. He acquired Atronic and turned it into a key business unit for the development, production and distribution of casino machines, drove the acquisition of Bell-Fruit Games in the UK and established Stella Electronic for the European market. His passion for games and keen sense for innovation significantly accelerated the Group’s internationalisation.
From 1994 to 2004, Michael Gauselmann was Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Gauselmann AG. From 2004 until the establishment of the Gauselmann Family Foundation, he and his father Paul acted as co-spokespersons of the Management Board. While he was mainly responsible for the international business and his father concentrated on domestic operations, their shared responsibility for the Group continued to grow.
At the same time, Michael Gauselmann consciously sought new perspectives. He earned a pilot’s licence and enjoyed the vastness of the skies. He became a hunter and now takes care of wildlife conservation in his adopted home of Austria. Today, he lives in Graz in the province of Styria.
Since 2016, he has been a member of the Advisory Board of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. And when his father stepped down from the top of the Group last year, it was clear who would take the helm: since October 2024, Michael Gauselmann has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. He sees his role as that of motivator, overseer and adviser. He knows the industry “inside out” – it is in his blood. At the same time, he does not want to “bring back the Gauselmann face” to the company. The focus today, he says, should be on the Merkur brand, the Management Board and the teams.
Above all, he wants a Management Board made up of strong personalities “who don’t just say ‘Yes, Mr Gauselmann’”. “We are a fantastic corporate group with countless opportunities,” he says. “We create entertainment – and that is something to be proud of.” Restoring this sense of pride among employees is one of his key aspirations. Looking ahead, Michael Gauselmann has set himself a clear personal goal: he plans to step back from his roles no later than the age of 75. Until then, he intends to actively support the continued development of the Merkur Group as a modern, internationally positioned entertainment provider.

27/11/2025

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27/11/2025

27/11/2025

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26/11/2025

MERKUR GROUP STRENGTHENS HR STRUCTURE: ANTJE KUNKIES APPOINTED CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Bielefeld native takes on newly created role as CHRO and will be responsible for group-wide human resources management in the future
The Merkur Group has a new head of human resources: Antje Kunkies will take up the newly created position of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) on 1 January 2026, assuming overall responsibility for the Group's global HR strategy. The Merkur Group employs around 15,000 people worldwide.
“We are delighted to have Ms Kunkies on board for this key management role,” says Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Merkur Group. “In her previous positions, she has demonstrated her ability to strategically develop HR organisations within international companies and successfully shape them in transformation processes.”
Antje Kunkies is a lawyer and has many years of experience in global human resources management. Since 2016, she has held senior HR positions at the Claas Group – since 2023 as Senior Vice President with global HR responsibility for the Self Propelled Harvester business unit and the company's worldwide production organisation. Prior to that, she held various management positions at the DMG Mori Group.
In her new role, she reports to Chairman Lars Felderhoff. Her responsibilities include further developing the Group-wide HR strategy, harmonising global HR processes, and consistently continuing the “One HR” project. The aim is to standardise structures, increase the organisational efficiency, and support strong personnel growth in the long term.
“Filling this key position is an important step toward further strengthening HR as a strategic success factor within the Group,” emphasises Lars Felderhoff. The further development and refinement of the corporate culture is also one of the core tasks of the new CHRO. Antje Kunkies adds: "I am very pleased about the trust that has been placed in me. HR is a cornerstone of every successful company. Together with my colleagues, I would like to contribute to further strengthening the competitiveness of the Merkur Group and actively shaping its future development."

24/11/2025

MERKUR GROUP EXPANDS ALLIANCE WITH SPINTEC
GERMAN GAMING COMPANY ACQUIRES STAKE IN SLOVENIAN ETG SPECIALIST
What began in 2019 as a technological partnership has now evolved into a forward-looking corporate investment: Merkur Group has acquired a significant stake in Spintec d.o.o., a Slovenia-based developer and manufacturer of premium Electronic Table Games (ETGs), marking a new chapter in the companies’ collaboration. “Spintec is a highly innovative and successful ETG specialist, distinguished above all by outstanding quality and a strong global footprint,” says Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games. “This investment is a real asset for the Merkur Group and an important driver of our international growth strategy.”
The success of the partnership so far has been built on the ideal combination of Spintec’s state-of-the-art ETG technology and Merkur Group’s reliable distribution structure, international network, and long-standing customer relationships. “Our collaboration creates valuable synergies that enable us to bring these high-quality ETG solutions to a significantly broader audience,” Raasch explains. “Building on our achievements to date and further expanding this especially successful strategic partnership was therefore the natural next step for both sides.”
Spintec is among the world’s leading developers, manufacturers, and suppliers of Electronic Table Games. With its compact and amphitheatre gaming solutions – renowned for cutting-edge design and technical precision – the company has established a strong presence in Latin and North America, Europe, and large parts of Asia. The collaboration with Spintec accordingly expands both Merkur Group’s global reach as well as its product portfolio: “With Spintec at our side, we can offer operators an even broader range of gaming experiences – further strengthening Merkur’s position as a reliable full-service gaming provider,” Raasch adds.
Goran Miškulin, CEO of Spintec, also welcomes this next step in the companies’ collaboration: “Over the past years, we have seen just how well Merkur and Spintec complement one another. This is demonstrated especially by our cooperation with Merkur Spielbanken, where our ETG solutions are already successfully deployed in numerous Merkur casino properties. I am confident that this investment will allow us to exceed the results of our partnership so far and unlock additional synergies that will create value for both organizations.”

20/11/2025

ZITRO: “MORE CONCEPT. MORE GAMES. MORE FUN.”
ICE Barcelona 2026 will be the stage where Zitro presents new game additions to its CONCEPT cabinet, expanding the lineup available to operators under a clear premise: more CONCEPT, more Games, and more Fun.
Having reached top positions in the Eilers rankings, CONCEPT has established itself as a cabinet with proven international performance and a vast library of games designed for different player profiles. All of this is enhanced by its Magic Lighting, which gives each game its own personality and creates a truly spectacular audiovisual experience that players love.
"CONCEPT continues to position itself as a cabinet that combines innovation, design, and performance. We expect to surprise everyone at ICE Barcelona with a new wave of releases," said Johnny Ortiz, founder of Zitro.

19/11/2025

Redefining gaming performance: Inside the IQON 3 hardware platform
A Q&A with Eddie Ho, Director – Gaming Hardware at Quixant
The launch of the IQON 3 at this year’s G2E is a milestone for Quixant, setting new benchmarks for performance, efficiency, and long-term reliability in gaming hardware platforms. Hear from Eddie Ho, Director of Gaming Hardware at Quixant, in a Q&A that explores what makes this platform have such wide appeal — and why it is resonating so strongly with customers around the world, and is suited to an array of different gaming applications.
Q: Eddie, what makes the IQON 3 such a pivotal release for Quixant?
Eddie: The IQON 3 represents the culmination of Quixant’s extensive R&D focus to develop gaming hardware platforms that deliver performance, scalability, user experience enhancement. Powered by the latest AMD Zen4 Ryzen™ 8000 Series processors, it delivers twice the performance of its V1000 predecessor, leading to major improvements in core CPU and GPU performance, advancements in architecture and the inclusion of dedicated AI acceleration through NPU. With DDR5-5600 memory, it supports up to 64 GB and is designed to unlock the next generation of game visuals and interactive experiences.
The new platform enables game designers to develop their game content without compromise, and craft the ultimate player experience. From multi-screen, high-frame-rate gameplay to richer 4K content, the IQON 3 provides the power and flexibility to turn creative visions into reality — all within a compact, efficient, and thermally-optimized design.
Q: How does the IQON 3 set a new standard in design and flexibility?
Eddie: The IQON 3 blends Quixant innovation, reliability and adaptability. It’s new fanless design leads to quieter operation, lower maintenance, and higher reliability in the field and enhanced serviceability. Supporting up to four independent 4K displays, and with Quixant’s LED interface, it enables advanced cabinet designs and ever more immersive player experiences.
The enhanced I/O options allow OEMs and game developers to tailor configurations for different market requirements — from premium casino cabinets to amusement and route gaming machines. With a commitment to ten-year supply longevity, the IQON 3 enables product stability and peace of mind in a fast-moving technology landscape.
Q: How was the industry’s response to IQON 3 at G2E 2025?
Eddie: The reception was incredible, exceeding our expectations. G2E 2025 was the perfect platform to debut the IQON 3, and it drew strong appeal from customers across all major gaming markets — from North America and Europe to Latin America and Asia-Pacific.
At the show we received interest across a variety of gaming segments and geographies— OEMs in casino, VLT and route and amusement markets recognized the versatility and future-readiness of the IQON 3. The volume of sample requests we received during and after the show was remarkable, and we are already progressing a significant number of opportunities with this new solution.
As ever, customer insight drives our innovation. Guided by what our customers and partners told us they needed most, we developed the IQON 3 — combining next-generation performance with the supply assurance to market demands.
Q: How does the IQON 3 fit within Quixant’s broader product vision and roadmap?
Eddie: The IQON 3 is central to Quixant’s next-generation hardware platform strategy. It bridges our proven expertise in gaming-specific platforms with the demands of a new technological era — one driven by DDR5, advanced Radeon RDNA3 graphics, and a drive to continue to integrate hardware and software in a cohesive eco system.
We are delighted to see it resonating so strongly with the market, and look forward to seeing the ultimate results it will deliver across global gaming market segments. It is not just a hardware platform — it is the start of a new, more connected gaming ecosystem that accelerates our customers’ development cycles, simplifies certification and delivers the ultimate player experience.
Q: Beyond performance, what are customers saying about the IQON 3’s real-world advantages?
Eddie: The feedback we are consistently seeing is that the IQON 3 is “ready-made” for the next generation of gaming cabinets and kiosks. Game designers and OEMs particularly like the backward compatible plug-and-play aspect of the hardware platform, which simplifies the development process, streamlines and expedites integration, and enables them to do so cost-effectively.
The combination of faster processing, richer graphics, and fanless reliability translates into smoother gameplay and less downtime, enhancing the player experience. The backward compatibility across our range of hardware platforms allows our customers to seamlessly transition from earlier IQON models with a smooth upgrade path that requires minimal redesign.
Q: Quixant has also emphasized sustainability and long-term value — how does the IQON 3 contribute?
Eddie: Sustainability is integral to our product, engineering and quality approach and fully aligned with our ESG and supplier integrity reviews, this includes Hazardous Substance Restriction (RoHS/REACH Compliance), Green Packaging. The IQON 3 has been designed for long-term performance and lifecycle, it is not just about greener technology, but smarter technology. By ensuring a 10-year supply window and consistent performance standards, the IQON 3 supports both our customers’ operational sustainability and our shared environmental goals.
Q: Looking ahead, how does the IQON 3 shape Quixant’s direction for 2026 and beyond?
The IQON 3 sets the stage for our continued global growth. Designed for scalability and reliability, it will also have extension models to support our expansion into U.S. Route, Amusement, and Coin-Op gaming, as well as the Brazilian VLT market, while reinforcing our commitment to existing North American, European, Australian, and Asian customers.
It also signals our forward direction and commitment to continuously evolving our technology in line with the changing needs of the market. By delivering solutions that enable our partners to offer the ultimate player experience, faster, more effectively, and more cost-efficiently, the IQON 3 embodies the innovation and agility that define Quixant.
Our 2026 focus is on momentum and diversification. Driving global adoption of the IQON 3, deepening relationships with North American route and amusement partners, and expanding our presence across Latin America and EMEA.
Q: In one sentence — what is the essence of the IQON 3?
Eddie: The IQON 3 is gaming performance redefined. It is a future-ready platform that doubles performance, simplifies integration, and enables gaming innovation across every market and geography.

17/11/2025

DRGT™ RETURNS TO BEGE 2025 FOLLOWING LANDMARK BULGARIAN ROLLOUT WITH EFBET
DR Gaming Technology (DRGT™) will make its second appearance at the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition (BEGE 2025) in Sofia on 26 and 27 November, following a landmark entry into the Bulgarian market during the 1st quarter of 2025.
Exactly twelve months after obtaining its Bulgarian manufacturer licence, DRGT™ has completed one of its largest European installations to date; where between January and March this year, the company rolled out its full casino management system, incorporating its cashless, player tracking, and jackpot technology across 59 Efbet venues and on more than 2,500 devices. The three-month project has evolved into a long-term collaboration that both companies describe as an operational partnership rather than a traditional supplier relationship.
Efbet Trade Manager Marina Zaharieva said the rollout has delivered measurable results: “Not without its roll-out challenges, the installation has ultimately made a significant impact on our operational efficiencies, player engagement, and the quality of our reporting and ability to run a more streamlined operation. DRGT™ has quickly evolved into an integral part of our team, not just a technology provider.”
Reflecting on the partnership, Marco Herrera, Chief Executive Officer at DRGT, commented: “Our work with Efbet illustrates the scalability and adaptability of our system, but more importantly, it highlights what can be achieved through genuine collaboration. The outcome goes far beyond implementation; it’s about building sustained operational value.”
Andreas Duller, Managing Director, Austria, added: “The joint effort and commitment from both teams during and after installation have set a new partnership benchmark. Efbet’s trust, honesty, and engagement have enabled us to make a meaningful impact into their day-to-day operations as well as their all-round player experience.”
At BEGE 2025, DRGT™ will present its latest suite of management, reporting and analytics, and broader marketing and player-engagement tools, including drFloorManager, drAnalytics, the drPlayerApp, the drManagementApp, and its Promotions and Raffle marketing solutions; showcasing just how well integrated, data-driven systems continue to redefine casino operations across the region.

20/10/2025

NOVOMATIC SPAIN ELEVA LA EXPERIENCIA DE JUEGO EN EL CASINO DE MALLORCA CON NOVO UNITY PRO
Esta incorporación se refleja en la “Winning Combination” de la compañía, gracias a su tecnología avanzada y enfoque personalizado.
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Con motivo de su crecimiento, el Casino de Mallorca apuesta por un producto premium con tecnología de última generación para seguir marcando la diferencia.
El modelo incluye las opciones de juego de ruleta clásica y el modo Lucky Lady’s Roulette, protagonista de esta implementación por sus atractivos bonus multiplicadores que pueden llegar a premiar hasta 210 veces la apuesta al pleno.
Su sistema destaca por la flexibilidad y el rendimiento, integrando elementos tales como:
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Con esta instalación, NOVOMATIC Spain refuerza su posición como referente tecnológico para casinos que buscan versatilidad, diseño y soluciones adaptadas a cada entorno operativo.

20/10/2025

MERKUR GAMING AWAITS THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRADE FAIR SEASON AT BEGE
As 2025 draws to a close and autumn fully sets in, things are anything but quiet at Merkur Gaming. Following a successful appearance at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, the company is already turning its attention to the next industry highlight: the Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE) in Sofia. On 26 and 27 November, more than 5,000 trade visitors from around 80 countries are expected at the Inter Expo Centre to find out about the latest developments in the international gaming industry – and, of course, to experience Merkur Gaming’s diverse product portfolio.
As one of the leading exhibitors, Merkur Gaming is once again heading to the Bulgarian capital with an impressive range of products in tow. Taking centre stage are two thrilling linked progressive jackpot systems – Link Overdrive and Link Palace – which promise pure excitement thanks to their captivating themes and dynamic features, serving as true guarantors of gaming enjoyment. Also in the spotlight are the multigame packages M-Prime and M-Line, which perfectly complement each other, impress with their comprehensive games library, and cater seamlessly to every type of player.
Other crowd favourites from the German gaming giant are also making their debut at BEGE: Both the brand-new jackpot system Spire in the Clouds, which allows players to choose between five different heroes and territories to create a tailor-made adventure, and the Dragor jackpot feature – which has been delivering outstanding results in Germany since its launch – proved extremely popular at G2E and will also be showcased in Sofia. The trade fair line-up will be rounded off by the cash-handling experts from GeWeTe, who will be present on the BEGE show floor in the usual manner to display their machine-compatible solutions for the validation, dispensing, and recycling of banknotes and coins.
Marcel Heutmekers, Senior Vice President Merkur Games International, is looking forward to BEGE, which traditionally marks the conclusion of the trade fair calendar each year: “I’m excited to participate in BEGE with Merkur Gaming and to connect with our partners and customers from across the region. It’s the perfect stage to share our passion for gaming entertainment and to show how the player is at the heart of everything we do. With the latest Merkur jackpot systems and multigame packages, we are bringing the full spectrum of gaming excitement to Sofia.”