Paul Gauselmann, founder of Merkur Group, dies at 91

Paul Gauselmann, the founder and long-time leader of the Merkur Group, has died at the age of 91.

Starting as a one-man operation after World War II, Gauselmann built the Merkur Group into an international gambling conglomerate. The company now employs approximately 15,000 people and generates an annual turnover of around 2.1 billion euros. The group operates gaming halls, casinos, and is active in the sports betting market, while also manufacturing gaming machines.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Gauselmann was a significant figure in the German gaming industry, serving as the chairman of the Verband der Deutschen Automatenindustrie for 28 years. He was recognized for his contributions with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and honorary citizenship in Espelkamp and Lübbecke. To ensure the group's continuity, family shares were transferred to the Gauselmann Family Foundation in 2016. Gauselmann officially stepped down from his executive role in 2024 but remained active in the business until recently.