German gambling firm Merkur gets thumbs up for Gaming Arts buyout

The Nevada Gaming Commission has approved the takeover of Gaming Arts by Merkur. This move will allow the German operator to enter the US, furthering its empire greatly.

Merkur is best known for its massive roster of bingo halls, arcades, and casinos across Europe. Meanwhile, Gaming Arts, based in Las Vegas, provides “end-to-end gaming technology”, as well as all the gear you’d need to set up a casino.

The acquisition is key to Merkur’s plans, as it’ll allow them to operate in 170 different jurisdictions across the US. Gaming Arts’ only loss is the CEO, Mike Dreitzer, who will take over as the head of the Nevada Gaming Control Board itself at the end of June. All 66 staff from Gaming Arts will stay on after the buyout is complete.

Merkur’s legal representative, Dennis Gutwald, said that bringing the company to the US will bring more stability to Gaming Arts.

According to reports, Merkur isn’t intending to go toe-to-toe with the big players, however. As it operates across most of the world, making money in 50 different countries, the company intends to grow a niche within the business-to-business world, rather than with players.

Gaming Arts gives them the running start needed to break into the US properly, as the company is already established. With this purchase, the company now has massive bases across the world in most major countries and regions.

Merkur’s year hasn’t been all smooth sailing, however. Earlier this year, the German firm was hit by a cyberattack that saw around 800,000 users affected by the hack. This included exposing addresses, emails, telephone numbers, and credit card details in some cases.

It has also been at the center of criticism in a UK borough in North London, where it intends to open a new location in one of the country’s most addicted places.

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