Merkur Group has announced its agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a slots provider, as part of its strategy to expand further into the US market. The acquisition is pending regulatory approval and follows Merkur's earlier purchase of Gaming Arts, a Nevada-licensed supplier, in 2025.
Notably, the deal does not include the White Hat Gaming platform or its white label businesses; these will remain with their current ownership.
Merkur aims for the acquisition to bolster the growth potential of its operating partners while providing White Hat Studios access to the expertise and resources necessary to enhance its slot offerings and broaden its omnichannel capabilities.
Michael Gauselmann, the Chairman of Merkur's Supervisory Board, expressed optimism about the acquisition, calling it a continuation of Merkur’s online growth strategy, which began in 2012 with its acquisition of Blueprint in Europe. He stated, “I am delighted by this latest development and am confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to our group.”
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, noted White Hat Studios' impressive growth since its inception. He emphasized the expectation of collaboration to ensure the continued success of both White Hat and Merkur in the regulated iGaming market.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, described the acquisition as a pivotal moment for the company, aimed at accelerating its long-term growth. “Joining Merkur Group is an exciting moment for everyone associated with White Hat Studios and, fundamentally, it is the best possible move to realize our ambitions for future growth and product innovation,” he remarked. He added that partnering with the experienced Merkur team would unlock new opportunities within the iGaming sector, significantly enhancing their ability to develop a world-class omnichannel experience benefiting operators and players alike.
