Merkur Group agrees to acquire White Hat Studios
Merkur Group has agreed to acquire slot provider White Hat Studios, a move that expands its operations in the United States. According to the companies, the group's experience and resources will give White Hat Studios the capabilities to continue pushing the boundaries of its slot offering and extend its omnichannel proposition.
Since its creation in 2021, White Hat Studios has grown rapidly to become one of the leading providers in the US iGaming market, and was the first to launch online slots in all seven regulated states. Its portfolio includes the House of Brands collection, the 7s Fire Blitz game series, and the Jackpot Royale progressive network.
With this acquisition, Merkur Group accelerates its expansion in the United States, a move that complements its recent purchase of Gaming Arts, the Nevada-licensed game and machine provider. The expanded group is now in a position to support the growth ambitions of its operating partners through a portfolio that combines exclusive online channel games and omnichannel propositions. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, and the White Hat Gaming platform and white-label businesses are not part of the transaction, thus remaining under their current ownership.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, stated that joining Merkur Group is a significant moment for the team and the best possible step to realize their growth and product innovation ambitions. He anticipated that working with the group will open new possibilities and enhance their ability to develop an omnichannel proposition that benefits both operators and players.
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of Merkur's Board of Management, highlighted White Hat Studios' growth since its launch and expressed his eagerness to continue that success story in the United States, and with it, Merkur's expansion in the regulated iGaming sector. Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, added that after taking its first steps in the online arena in Europe with the acquisition of Blueprint in 2012, he welcomes this advancement and is confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to the group. In the transaction, White Hat Studios was advised by Oakvale Capital, while legal advisors were CMS for White Hat Studios and Wiggin for Merkur.
Tags: Merkur Group, White Hat Studios, Gaming Arts, Michael Gauselmann, iGaming acquisitions, Gaming, Merkur Gaming, Slots & RNG