Merkur Group announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to acquire the slots provider White Hat Studios. This acquisition, pending regulatory approvals, aims to further bolster Merkur's growth in the U.S. This move follows Merkur's earlier purchase of Nevada-licensed supplier Gaming Arts in 2025.
It's important to note that the deal does not encompass White Hat Gaming's platform and white-label operations, which will continue under their current ownership. The aim of this acquisition is to enhance the growth opportunities for Merkur's operating partners and provide White Hat Studios with the necessary expertise and resources to enhance its slot offerings and expand its omnichannel capabilities.
Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, described the acquisition as a significant milestone in the company’s online expansion strategy, following its early steps into the online European market via the Blueprint acquisition in 2012. "I am delighted by this latest development and am confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to our group," he stated.
Also commenting on the acquisition, Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, expressed enthusiasm regarding White Hat Studios’ impressive growth since its inception. "We look forward to working with the team to continue the U.S. success story and, in turn, Merkur’s expansion in regulated iGaming,” he said.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, welcomed the acquisition as a catalyst for long-term growth. He stated, "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. Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omnichannel proposition that will benefit both operators and players."
