From Gauselmann AG to Merkur.com AG

The announcement was made by Paul Gauselmann, founder of the Gauselmann Group in 1957 and chairman of the board of Gauselmann AG, during the sales event "Der Branchengipfel" in Frankfurt. "The renaming to Merkur.com AG underscores our strategic direction, especially towards further digitalization. It represents a visible sign of our core competence and our corporate goal of offering the best games and services for national and international gambling markets," explained Paul Gauselmann.

The Merkur brand has been of great importance since the 1970s and, no later than 1976, with the introduction of the first money gaming device developed by Paul Gauselmann, "Merkur B," and the state approval from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), it set new standards in the industry. Since then, numerous other games, devices, gaming systems, and services have been developed, produced, and distributed under the name Merkur. With its firm establishment in the market, there has been continuous strengthening of the Merkur brand and its iconic logo, the smiling Merkur sun. This symbol is not only the most popular game and luck symbol in Germany today but has also gained high recognition internationally in recent decades. Paul Gauselmann emphasized, "The renaming is both an acknowledgment of our product and of the associated symbol, the Merkur sun, which undoubtedly best embodies the joy of gaming."

Already in March 2022, one of the most important subsidiary companies, adp Gauselmann GmbH, was renamed to adp Merkur GmbH. With the renaming of Gauselmann AG to Merkur.com AG, the corporate group is continuing its brand harmonization process. Merkur.com AG will henceforth serve as the common umbrella for all production and distribution channels, both nationally and internationally. "This change is also a significant step for our international expansion," explained Paul Gauselmann. "Currently, we generate around 60 percent of our revenue abroad, and this share is steadily growing. Under the internationally established name Merkur, we can expand our presence in the global gambling industry." With a smile, Paul Gauselmann added, "Moreover, the name Merkur is easier to pronounce and understand in many countries around the world than the name Gauselmann."

The renaming does not change the ownership structure of Merkur.com AG. The company remains in the possession of the Gauselmann Family Foundation, to which the corporate shares of Paul Gauselmann and his family were transferred on January 1, 2016. Since then, it has been the sole shareholder responsible for all fundamental and strategic decisions. Therefore, the name Gauselmann will remain inseparably linked to the group in the future. The Gauselmann Family Foundation is led by a three-member board of directors, with Paul Gauselmann still serving as chairman. The foundation's board of trustees consists largely of members of the Gauselmann family, underscoring the close connection to the region.