Gauselmann boosts UK activities with £76m Praesepe purchase
Newly formed company Merkur Casino UK will be chaired by Gauselmann CFO Ulrich Wuseke.
German land-based casino and arcades operator Gauselmann Group has boosted its UK presence with the acquisition of Marwyn Gaming, the owner of low stake gaming operator Praesepe.
The purchase includes 159 adult gaming centres, nine bingo clubs, five family entertainment centres and egaming business Beacon Bingo Online.
Marwyn Gaming is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Marwyn Management Partners and owner of Praesepe. A new company, Merkur Casino UK, has been formed and will be chaired by Ulrich Wuseke, chief financial officer of the Gauselmann Group.
Commenting on the acquisition, Wuseke said: “As well as buying the physical business, which includes of course Europe’s biggest Bingo Club and the internationally famous Crystal Rooms in London’s Leicester Square, we are also investing in a progressive philosophy, energy and an approach to entertainment retailing which, we believe is unique in the UK.”
Praesepe founder Nick Harding, who will serve as CEO of the new company, added: “Even against the backdrop of the double dip recession and the handbrake of limited investment, my team has registered a series of very significant successes, which have cemented our position as operators of the most successful gaming brands on Britain’s high streets.
“The financial confidence that we now have will allow us to drive forwards and implement the progressive initiatives which I believe will transform the sectors that we operate in.”
In January Merkur Interactive “ the online brand of Gauselmann “ signed a joint venture deal with software supplier Playtech to focus on the German online gambling market.
The JV encompasses the marketing and sales of online sports betting, online poker and further online gambling products, however regulatory uncertainty in Germany means the partners have yet to announce further developments.