Merkur Gaming US, the American arm of the Germany-based Merkur Group, has officially been granted a license by the Nevada Gaming Commission to manufacture and distribute gaming products within the state. The move marks Merkur’s reentry into the United States market, one of the most competitive and highly regulated gaming markets in the world.

In tandem with this licensing approval, the Commission has also signed off on Merkur’s acquisition of Gaming Arts LLC, a Las Vegas-headquartered, Nevada-licensed gaming operator. The finalization of this transaction is projected for early Q3 2025, marking a strategic expansion milestone for the Merkur Group’s global operations.

Return to the U.S. market after over two decades:

Merkur’s reappearance in Nevada comes more than 20 years after the company first entered the U.S. gaming space in 1998, before exiting in the early 2000s. This return represents a calculated move amid an intensifying focus on international growth.

Reflecting on the achievement, Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Merkur Group, stated: “With approval from Nevada, this moment serves to highlight and underscore the Merkur Group’s legally compliant and forward-looking approach in all areas without exception.”

The warm welcome from Nevada regulators included the phrase “Welcome back to the industry,” acknowledging Merkur’s previous engagement with the U.S. market and signaling confidence in the company’s renewed commitment.

The acquisition of Gaming Arts LLC, which is licensed in more than 155 jurisdictions, is seen as a critical step in Merkur’s broader reentry strategy. The two firms have maintained a close strategic partnership, enabling Merkur to streamline its licensing process and enter the North American market more efficiently.

Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Management Board of the Merkur Group, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating in the company’s press release: “The close and constructive partnership with Gaming Arts LLC has significantly contributed over the past months to successfully establishing all necessary prerequisites for the licensing as well as the upcoming acquisition. We are deeply grateful for the excellent cooperation.”

David Colvin, owner of Gaming Arts, also shared his support: “We congratulate Merkur for achieving this outstanding milestone and we welcome them to the state of Nevada.”

Strategic shift in response to domestic challenges:

Merkur’s re-expansion into the U.S. comes amid rising regulatory challenges in its home market. As Felderhoff explained, operating conditions in Germany have become more restrictive due to evolving gambling regulations, prompting the company to ramp up its international efforts. “Business conditions in our home market, Germany, have become increasingly challenging due to tightening regulatory frameworks. Nevertheless, together with the entire industry, we remain confident in the long-term prospects of the German gaming market,” said Felderhoff.

Merkur’s renewed presence in North America is part of a wider strategy to fortify its international footprint. The company has already seen success in Europe and South America, and its return to the U.S. is expected to accelerate this growth trajectory significantly.

“Our re-entry into the North American casino market will significantly accelerate the international growth of the Merkur Group and place it on an even more solid footing,” Felderhoff concluded.

Merkur’s expansion mirrors broader trends in the Nevada gaming market, with other European companies like Kambi also entering or expanding operations in the state.