Gauselmann and Playtech enter into joint venture agreement

Espelkamp. In preparation for the impending legal changes in the online gambling market in Germany, Merkur Interactive – a subsidiary of the globally active Gauselmann Group – and Playtech – the world’s largest listed software provider for online games of chance – have reached an agreement to found a new company based on a mutual joint venture for internet-based solutions in the German-speaking regions.

The new joint venture that has been set up as a 50:50 partnership will enable the company to prepare itself for the possible certification procedure for internet-based gambling offers in Germany. The planned company activities encompass the marketing and sales of online sports betting, online poker and further online gambling products.

“The internet bears great possibilities as a sales channel – that also includes the field of gambling for money or just for fun. In Germany it has not been possible to date to legally offer such games on the internet due to the legal set-up. Should these conditions change on the basis of new legal parameters to enable economically viable operations as, for example, it appears to be the case in Schleswig Holstein after the new gambling law there, then we will become active”, explains Dr. Dirk Quermann, Managing Director of Merkur Interactive.

“With Playtech we have found the right partner to establish and operate a successful offering for the German market on the internet – even against strong competition from international gambling companies. The joint venture will particularly profit from the high level of recognition of our trademark – the laughing Merkur sun as the symbol for games and gaming –, the first-class games of the Gauselmann Group as well as Playtech’s great experience and comprehensive technical know-how in the field of internet gaming”, concludes Quermann.