German gambling company Merkur Group announced Wednesday it agreed to acquire online casino slots developer White Hat Studios as it continues to expand its presence in the North American regulated market.
Key Takeaways
- Merkur Group agreed to acquire U.S. online slots developer White Hat Studios.
- The transaction excludes White Hat Gaming's platform and white-label businesses and is subject to regulatory approval.
- The acquisition expands Merkur Group's presence in the regulated U.S. iGaming market.
White Hat Studios, the content arm of White Hat Gaming founded in 2021, supplies online casino games to operators such as Hard Rock Bet and Caesars Entertainment in U.S. jurisdictions. It became the first content provider to launch online slots in each of the seven U.S. states where online casino gaming is regulated. Its gaming portfolio includes the House of Brands slot collection, the 7s Fire Blitz series, and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network.
The acquisition comes after Merkur's recent purchase of Gaming Arts, a Nevada-licensed casino gaming supplier. The White Hat transaction does not include the White Hat Gaming platform or its white-label business, which will stay under its current ownership. The deal also remains subject to regulatory approval.
“Joining Merkur Group is an exciting moment for everyone associated with White Hat Studios and, fundamentally, it is the best possible move to realize our ambitions for future growth and product innovation,” said Andy Whitworth, president of White Hat Studios. “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.”
Both Lars Felderhoff, chairman of the Merkur Management Board, and Michael Gauselmann, chair of the Merkur Supervisory Board said the studio will be a great addition to their group and will help them gain a foothold in the U.S. market.
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White Hat Gaming develops Love Island slot for FanDuel
Last month, White Hat Gaming created Love Island: Unlocked, an online casino slot exclusively developed for FanDuel’s collaboration with ITV Studios.
The slot will be the second release under the partnership between FanDuel and ITV and, according to White Hat, will introduce character selection alongside gameplay elements based on themes and events from the television series.
The game will be available to online casino players in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Michigan, and Ontario.
"As America's #1 iGaming operator, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to bring fresh entertainment experiences to our customers while reaching new audiences," said Daniele Phillips, senior vice president of marketing at FanDuel Casino. "Love Island is known for having an incredibly passionate and engaged fanbase and with this latest launch, we're continuing to bring the spirit and thrill of the franchise to players in new ways, exclusively on FanDuel Casino."
