Gauselmann opens rash of new UK arcades

The Gauselmann Group will “open many more Merkur Slots venues across the UK this year”, said the German company.

The group, through its subsidiary Praesepe, already owns 165 adult gaming centres, five family entertainment centres and five Beacon Bingo clubs across the UK.

Last Saturday saw many of them – the locations in England – reopening after the Covid-19 lockdown. It signalled the return of the Praesepe locations and also the launch of the Merkur Slots brand nationally.

Three all-new venues in Southall, Hornchurch (both in or near London) and Lancaster (in the north of England) were opened on that day and there are three more new venues set to open this Saturday, July 11, at Saltash, in the south-west of England, Bolton in the north-west and Wolverhampton in the Midlands on July 15.

Mark Schertle, COO of Praesepe, said: “This is a very exciting time for the Merkur Slots brand. So many companies haven’t survived the effects of the pandemic and we are delighted to be able to give customers a brand-new experience in locations where we don’t currently have a presence. It means a lot to us to be part of kick-starting the high street again and supporting the local community with new job opportunities.”

All of the equipment in the new Merkur Slots locations is digital, many containing games provided by Gauselmann’s in-house developer Blueprint.