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Merkur Casino GmbH is commemorating its half-century milestone.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Merkur Casino GmbH, the company's administrative staff are assembling at the Merkur Arcade in Delmenhorst.

SymClub
Aug 22, 2024
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Merkur Casino GmbH is commemorating its half-century milestone.

Merkur Casino's 50th Anniversary: Celebrating Half a Century of Gaming Provision

Merkur Casino GmbH, a subsidiary of the Merkur Group, marked its 50th anniversary on February 1, 2024. The journey began with the opening of its first gaming hall in Delmenhorst on February 1, 1974. Over the past five decades, Merkur has grown to become one of the leading gaming providers in Europe. Let's revisit the last five decades and the remarkable journey of Paul Gauselmann.

Merkur's Gaming Journey Begins in Delmenhorst

The seeds for Merkur Casino GmbH's 50-year success were sown in February 1974. In celebration of Merkur's anniversary, executives and sales representatives from the company gathered in the Delmenhorst gaming hall and honored long-serving employees and company personnel with awards. On this milestone occasion, Merkur founder and CEO, Paul Gauselmann shared his thoughts:

The inauguration of Merkur's first gaming hall in Delmenhorst in 1974 set a new benchmark for leisure time activities and gaming equipment, introducing an innovative concept to a segment that had been previously inaccessible to adult enthusiasts, following a hotel-like structure. It's heartening to witness Merkur Casino's remarkable transformation over the past five decades, despite numerous politically-motivated existential threats. Paul Gauselmann, Merkur founder and CEO, ISA-GUIDE**

Merkur Leads in Germany and Influences Gaming Across Europe

As the market leader in Germany, Merkur manages over 350 gaming halls equipped with cutting-edge slot machines and terminals. Besides its strong presence in Germany, Merkur has a significant presence in seven other European countries, including the UK, Spain, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.

Moreover, Merkur has consistently been recognized as one of Germany's Top 50 Employers. Apart from employing a large workforce in its gaming halls, Merkur also offers training, such as gaming machine technology courses. Additionally, Merkur has a long-standing tradition as a sponsor of various sports clubs, with Fortuna Düsseldorf's football stadium being renamed the Merkur Spiel Arena in 2018. Emphasizing its commitment to sustainability, Merkur recently announced the creation of a new business division to address ecological, social, and economic concerns.

Merkur's Corporate Milestones

Post its inception in 1974, Merkur developed several popular slot machines like Triple Chance, Gold of Persia, and Magic Mirror in the 1970s and 1980s. Many of these machines have since been converted into online versions, available on numerous online casinos. Merkur expanded outside Germany with the opening of its first gaming hall in the Netherlands in 1986.

In 1999, Paul Gauselmann and his wife founded the Gauselmann Foundation and have been actively supporting numerous charities and social causes since then. However, Merkur has also faced opposition at times. In November 2023, the construction of Merkur's new casino in Siegburg was criticized by environmentalists, with the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) alleging several regulatory breaches.

The 50th anniversary celebration of Merkur Casino GmbH in 2024 was covered extensively in the news, highlighting its achievements and milestones over the past five decades. In a special edition of the local news, the transformation of Merkur from a small gaming hall in Delmenhorst to a leading gaming provider in Europe was extensively discussed.

Since 2018, the Merkur Spiel-Arena has been its designated title, serving as the primary ground for football club Fortuna Düsseldorf.

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