International gaming giant Merkur Group announced that it has negotiated an agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a leading provider of slot games in America. The deal will expand the former company’s US presence, while bolstering the studio’s business capabilities.
The Deal Aligns with Merkur’s US Strategy
While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Merkur Group stated that the acquisition is poised to further accelerate its US expansion, providing it with more opportunities in this lucrative region. The transaction aligns with Merkur’s broader strategy, which previously saw it acquire Gaming Arts, a Nevada-based game and machine supplier.
By coming into the Merkur fold, White Hat Studios will be able to capitalize on the group’s “unrivaled expertise and extensive resources” to bolster its growth and “push the boundaries of slot provision.” The extra resources will also allow the studio to improve its omni-channel pipeline.
Merkur described White Hat Studios as a fast-growing game studio that has quickly cemented itself as a leading force in US iGaming. Moreover, White Hat Studios was the first to launch its online slot games across all seven states where online casino gaming is legal.
In any case, the acquisition agreement is subject to regulatory approvals. Merkur clarified that the deal does not encompass the White Hat Gaming platform and white label businesses.
Executives Were Thrilled
Company representatives were pleased with the agreement. Andy Whitworth, White Hat Studios’ president, said that joining the Merkur family is an exciting moment for his team. He described this as the “best possible move” to realize the company’s ambitions for further growth and 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 omni-channel proposition that will benefit both operators and players.
Andy Whitworth, president, White Hat Studios
Merkur executives were just as thrilled. Lars Felderhoff, chair of Merkur’s management board, applauded White Hat Studios’ impressive growth and said that he was looking forward to working with the studio’s team to continue the White Hat success story.
Michael Gauselmann, chair of Merkur’s supervisory board, added that this is another great addition to the Merkur portfolio.
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.
Michael Gauselmann, chair of Merkur’s supervisory board
In the meantime, Merkur Slots bolstered its UK presence with two new venues.