Merkur Group founder Paul Gauselmann has died shortly before his 92nd birthday, with tributes being paid across the industry to the “truly remarkable entrepreneur” who grew his firm from a one-man business to a multi-billion Euro gaming giant.
Merkur Group founder and long-time chair Paul Gauselmann has died, aged 91, just two years after retiring from the business he began as a one-man operation in the 1960s, and grew into a global gaming giant with 15,000 employees and annual turnover of more than €2bn.
Described by his colleagues as “a courageous fighter with grand visions,” Gauselmann also served as chair of the Association of the German Vending Machine Industry, and was instrumental in shaping the development of the wider European gaming sector.
From his industry colleagues, he commanded unprecedented respect, with the trade body noting: “We wouldn’t have got this far without Paul Gauselmann.”
And that was a view echoed within his own organisation. “Paul Gauselmann’s inexhaustible drive and creativity were fuelled by his unwavering desire for independence,” declared a spokesperson for the Merkur Group.
And that drive spanned eight decades commencing in 1957 when he took on a part-time job as a self-employed jukebox operator. In 1964 it led to him becoming fully self-employed as an operator of gaming machines in the hospitality industry, and the rest is history.
“Commercial machine gaming was largely out of the public eye at the time,” a Merkur statement noted. “He wanted to change that: in 1974, the 40-year-old opened his first gaming arcade in Delmenhorst, Lower Saxony, to the standards of a four-star hotel. His first slot machine, developed in-house – the Merkur B – took the German market by storm in 1977 and provided the initial impetus for the Group’s rapid growth.”
This was followed by countless further in-house developments, hundreds of patents and a decisive move into the international market.
In addition to making his own company a success, Paul Gauselmann was always focused on the welfare of the entire amusement and gaming machine industry. As early as the 1960s, he played a decisive role in shaping industry policy within the trade associations, and did not shy away from conflict in the process.
In 2003, Gauselmann was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class, and in 2004 he was made an honorary citizen of the cities of Lübbecke and Espelkamp, where he lived with his wife Karin.
Even in his later years, the father of four sons – and whose family now includes seven great-grandchildren – remained tireless in his social and community commitment.Not only did he fund the construction of two childcare centres in Espelkamp with an investment of around €6 million; when the town recently found itself in financial difficulties through no fault of its own, he stepped up once more with a donation of €8.7 million.
To ensure the neighbouring town of Lübbecke, where the Merkur Group’s production plant is located, was not left behind, he contributed an additional €5 million. In a matter of just a few months, Gauselmann had contributed around €20 million euros to the public good.
Beside Karin, Gauselmann is survived by his four sons, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with his personal fortune to be left to the Paul and Karin Gauselmann Foundation, supporting charitable causes.
A pioneer in the UK market
Sascha Blodau, General Manager of MERKUR UK, said that Paul Gauselmann has left what he described as an ‘extraordinary legacy’ which will continue to guide and inspire the 2,000+ employees working across the family of UK brands comprising Blueprint Operations, Blueprint Gaming, Regal Gaming Technologies and MERKUR Slots.
He noted: “Paul Gauselmann was a truly remarkable entrepreneur, whose vision, determination and humanity shaped not only our businesses but also the lives and careers of many thousands of people. His absence will be deeply felt by all of us in the United Kingdom.”
Reflecting on MERKUR’s presence in the UK market he said: “The development of the Group’s British businesses was very much the result of his vision. Under his leadership, the UK became the most successful of MERKUR’s operations outside Germany and an enormously important part of the wider Group.
“As well as building a one-man business into an international Group employing more than 15,000 people and a €2bn+ turnover he will also be remembered as an inspirational force for positive change and a person of great kindness.
“Paul Gauselmann or PG as he was known, believed in giving something back and supported numerous projects in the fields of social welfare, the environment, culture, sport and health. His inspiration drives the MERKUR Community programme which in 2025 provided over £200,000 of support to 150 UK-based not for profit organisations including foodbanks, community kitchens, dance groups and sports clubs. We will honour his memory by continuing to build upon his vision.”
Originally published on Coinslot on August 31, 2026. Republished with permission.