Merkur Group is looking to enhance its presence in the U.S. gaming market with the acquisition of White Hat Studios, a prominent slots provider. The move leverages Merkur's comprehensive expertise and resources to expand White Hat's capabilities in slot offerings and its omni-channel services.
Since its establishment in 2021, White Hat Studios has quickly risen through the ranks to be among the top providers in the U.S. iGaming sector. It made history by being the first to launch online slots across all seven regulated states. Among its offerings are the popular ‘House of Brands’ slot collection, the award-winning 7s Fire Blitz™ game series, and the Jackpot Royale™ progressive network.
This acquisition aligns with Merkur Group’s strategy to bolster its U.S. growth, complementing its recent purchase of Gaming Arts, a supplier licensed in Nevada. The combined strengths of these companies are expected to enhance support for their operating partners and facilitate growth through a diverse range of online and omni-channel games.
The agreement is pending regulatory approval. However, it’s important to note that White Hat Gaming’s platform and white label operations are excluded from this acquisition and will continue under their existing ownership.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, expressed enthusiasm about joining Merkur Group, citing it as an exciting opportunity to fulfill their ambitions for growth and innovation in gaming. He appreciated the prospect of collaborating with the experienced Merkur team to enhance their omni-channel offering for both operators and players.
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, noted White Hat Studios’ impressive growth trajectory since its launch and expressed eagerness to work together to continue succeeding in the U.S. market. Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, remarked on the significance of this acquisition, highlighting the group's earlier success in online gaming in Europe with their 2012 Blueprint acquisition and confidence in White Hat Studios' potential as a valuable addition to the Merkur family.
White Hat Studios received advisory support from Oakvale Capital, with CMS acting as legal advisors for the studio and Wiggin for Merkur.
