On Wednesday, Merkur Group announced its agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a slots provider, marking a significant move to bolster its presence in the U.S. gaming market. This acquisition, pending regulatory approvals, aims to enhance Merkur’s expansion, following its 2025 acquisition of Gaming Arts, a supplier licensed in Nevada.
It's important to note that the transaction does not include White Hat Gaming's platform or white label businesses, which will remain with their current owners.
The deal is designed to help Merkur support the growth objectives of its operating partners, offering White Hat Studios the necessary expertise and resources to expand its slot offerings and enhance its omnichannel capabilities.
Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, framed the acquisition as a pivotal step in the company’s online growth, stating, "Having made early inroads into the online space in Europe via our 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."
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, expressed his enthusiasm about White Hat Studios' impressive growth since it launched. He commented, "We look forward to working with the team to continue the US success story and, in turn, Merkur’s expansion in regulated iGaming."
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, shared that the acquisition would enable the provider to speed up its long-term growth plans. He emphasized, "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."
