{"id":130427,"date":"2026-07-16T09:05:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T07:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T09:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T07:05:06","slug":"merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/","title":{"rendered":"Merkur to Acquire White Hat Studios in US iGaming Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Merkur Group Agrees to Acquire White Hat Studios \u2013 Expanding Its Presence in Regulated US iGaming Markets<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"key-takeaways\" title=\"Key Takeaways\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Merkur Group has entered into an agreement to acquire US focused slots supplier White Hat Studios, subject to regulatory approvals.<\/li><li>The transaction covers only White Hat Studios\u2019 game development business, not the White Hat Gaming platform or white label operations.<\/li><li>White Hat Studios operates in all seven US states that regulate online slots and offers more than 150 titles.<\/li><li>The acquisition follows Merkur\u2019s recent purchase of Gaming Arts, a Nevada licensed game and machine supplier.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"transaction-covers-game-development-business-only\" title=\"Transaction Covers Game Development Business Only\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transaction Covers Game Development Business Only<\/h2>\n\n<p>Merkur Group has signed an agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a US focused iGaming content supplier. The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n\n<p>The deal is limited in scope. It includes only the game development operations of White Hat Studios. The White Hat Gaming platform and its white label services are explicitly excluded from the agreement and will continue under their existing ownership structure. This distinction separates content production from platform and operational services within the broader White Hat brand.<\/p>\n\n<p>For operators and industry stakeholders, this means that existing arrangements involving the White Hat Gaming platform are not part of the transaction. The focus is on proprietary game content and related intellectual property.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"white-hat-studios-footprint-in-us-regulated-online-slots\" title=\"White Hat Studios\u2019 Footprint in US Regulated Online Slots\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">White Hat Studios\u2019 Footprint in US Regulated Online Slots<\/h2>\n\n<p>White Hat Studios launched in 2021 and has since established a presence across the regulated US online slots market. According to the company, it became the first supplier to bring online slots content to all seven US states that currently regulate the vertical.<\/p>\n\n<p>Its portfolio includes more than 150 titles. The catalog covers standard online slots, jackpot slots, and RNG table games. It also includes licensed branded titles and proprietary collections such as the House of Brands series, the 7s Fire Blitz line, and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network.<\/p>\n\n<p>By operating across all regulated states for online slots, White Hat Studios has positioned itself as a multi state supplier in a market that remains fragmented and subject to state by state regulation. For operators active in several jurisdictions, this type of coverage can simplify content integration and portfolio management.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"merkurs-strategy-in-the-united-states\" title=\"Merkur\u2019s Strategy in the United States\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Merkur\u2019s Strategy in the United States<\/h2>\n\n<p>The acquisition of White Hat Studios forms part of Merkur Group\u2019s broader expansion in the United States. The German gaming company stated that its financial resources and industry experience are expected to support White Hat Studios in further developing its slot portfolio and expanding its omni channel offering across land based and digital channels.<\/p>\n\n<p>The transaction follows shortly after Merkur\u2019s acquisition of Gaming Arts, a game and machine supplier licensed in Nevada. Gaming Arts provides content and machines for land based operations and holds regulatory approval in one of the most established US gaming jurisdictions.<\/p>\n\n<p>Taken together, the two deals combine online first content through White Hat Studios with omni channel and land based capabilities through Gaming Arts. This structure allows Merkur to offer a broader lineup of content to US operating partners, spanning digital casino platforms and physical gaming venues.<\/p>\n\n<p>Merkur\u2019s leadership has linked the move to its longer term expansion in regulated iGaming markets. The company previously entered the online space in Europe through its acquisition of Blueprint in 2012. The White Hat Studios transaction represents a continuation of that strategy, focused specifically on the US.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"statements-from-company-leadership\" title=\"Statements From Company Leadership\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statements From Company Leadership<\/h2>\n\n<p>Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, described White Hat Studios as having delivered significant growth since its launch and stated that Merkur intends to work with the team to continue expanding in the regulated US iGaming sector.<\/p>\n\n<p>Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said that joining Merkur Group is intended to support future growth and product innovation. He also referenced opportunities to develop an enhanced omni channel proposition that connects digital and land based gaming environments.<\/p>\n\n<p>Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, referred to Merkur\u2019s earlier expansion into online gaming in Europe and indicated that White Hat Studios would become part of the group\u2019s broader international development.<\/p>\n\n<p>The transaction was advised by Oakvale Capital on behalf of White Hat Studios. CMS acted as legal counsel to White Hat Studios, while Wiggin advised Merkur.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"implications-for-operators-in-regulated-states\" title=\"Implications for Operators in Regulated States\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implications for Operators in Regulated States<\/h2>\n\n<p>For operators active in US regulated iGaming markets, the transaction affects the ownership structure behind a supplier that already distributes content across all seven states with legal online slots.<\/p>\n\n<p>Because the deal is limited to the game development arm, day to day platform services connected to White Hat Gaming are not directly impacted. However, content strategy, future game releases, and omni channel integration may be influenced by Merkur\u2019s broader portfolio and resources.<\/p>\n\n<p>With both White Hat Studios and Gaming Arts under its umbrella, Merkur is positioned to supply content tailored to online environments as well as land based venues. For operators that run both types of operations, this could mean closer alignment between digital titles and physical machine content, depending on how Merkur integrates its assets.<\/p>\n\n<span class=\"anchor\" id=\"our-assessment\" title=\"Our Assessment\"><\/span><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our Assessment<\/h2>\n\n<p>Merkur Group\u2019s agreement to acquire White Hat Studios strengthens its footprint in regulated US iGaming markets by adding a supplier active in all seven states that permit online slots. The transaction is limited to game development and does not include White Hat Gaming\u2019s platform or white label services.<\/p>\n\n<p>Combined with the recent acquisition of Nevada licensed Gaming Arts, the deal expands Merkur\u2019s content portfolio across digital and land based channels in the United States. The completion of the White Hat Studios acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"gambling-disclaimer\">\n\t<p>\n\t\tWe have imposed strict editorial guidelines on ourselves and explain our testing methods openly and comprehensively. We also communicate transparently how our work is financed. This site may contain tracking links, but this does not influence our objective view in any way.\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Merkur Group has agreed to acquire White Hat Studios, covering its game development business in the US regulated online slots market. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":130426,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"news_crypto_coin":[],"class_list":["post-130427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail"],"acf":{"faqs":null,"sort_number":999,"sort_number_no_override":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Merkur Acquires White Hat Studios in US Deal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Merkur Group agrees to acquire White Hat Studios, adding a US wide online slots supplier to its portfolio, subject to regulatory approval.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kryptocasinos.com EN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Merkur Group agrees to acquire White Hat Studios, adding a US wide online slots supplier to its portfolio, subject to regulatory approval.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kryptocasinos.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kryptocasinoscomm\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-16T07:05:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1408\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"736\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Isabella Brown\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Isabella Brown\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Isabella Brown\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc\"},\"headline\":\"Merkur to Acquire White Hat Studios in US iGaming Expansion\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-16T09:05:06+02:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\"},\"wordCount\":940,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#respond\"]}],\"description\":\"\",\"isAccessibleForFree\":true,\"articleBody\":\"Merkur Group Agrees to Acquire White Hat Studios - Expanding Its Presence in Regulated US iGaming Markets\\n\\nKey Takeaways\\n\\nMerkur Group has entered into an agreement to acquire US focused slots supplier White Hat Studios, subject to regulatory approvals.The transaction covers only White Hat Studios' game development business, not the White Hat Gaming platform or white label operations.White Hat Studios operates in all seven US states that regulate online slots and offers more than 150 titles.The acquisition follows Merkur's recent purchase of Gaming Arts, a Nevada licensed game and machine supplier.\\n\\nTransaction Covers Game Development Business Only\\n\\nMerkur Group has signed an agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a US focused iGaming content supplier. The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.\\n\\nThe deal is limited in scope. It includes only the game development operations of White Hat Studios. The White Hat Gaming platform and its white label services are explicitly excluded from the agreement and will continue under their existing ownership structure. This distinction separates content production from platform and operational services within the broader White Hat brand.\\n\\nFor operators and industry stakeholders, this means that existing arrangements involving the White Hat Gaming platform are not part of the transaction. The focus is on proprietary game content and related intellectual property.\\n\\nWhite Hat Studios' Footprint in US Regulated Online Slots\\n\\nWhite Hat Studios launched in 2021 and has since established a presence across the regulated US online slots market. According to the company, it became the first supplier to bring online slots content to all seven US states that currently regulate the vertical.\\n\\nIts portfolio includes more than 150 titles. The catalog covers standard online slots, jackpot slots, and RNG table games. It also includes licensed branded titles and proprietary collections such as the House of Brands series, the 7s Fire Blitz line, and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network.\\n\\nBy operating across all regulated states for online slots, White Hat Studios has positioned itself as a multi state supplier in a market that remains fragmented and subject to state by state regulation. For operators active in several jurisdictions, this type of coverage can simplify content integration and portfolio management.\\n\\nMerkur's Strategy in the United States\\n\\nThe acquisition of White Hat Studios forms part of Merkur Group's broader expansion in the United States. The German gaming company stated that its financial resources and industry experience are expected to support White Hat Studios in further developing its slot portfolio and expanding its omni channel offering across land based and digital channels.\\n\\nThe transaction follows shortly after Merkur's acquisition of Gaming Arts, a game and machine supplier licensed in Nevada. Gaming Arts provides content and machines for land based operations and holds regulatory approval in one of the most established US gaming jurisdictions.\\n\\nTaken together, the two deals combine online first content through White Hat Studios with omni channel and land based capabilities through Gaming Arts. This structure allows Merkur to offer a broader lineup of content to US operating partners, spanning digital casino platforms and physical gaming venues.\\n\\nMerkur's leadership has linked the move to its longer term expansion in regulated iGaming markets. The company previously entered the online space in Europe through its acquisition of Blueprint in 2012. The White Hat Studios transaction represents a continuation of that strategy, focused specifically on the US.\\n\\nStatements From Company Leadership\\n\\nLars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, described White Hat Studios as having delivered significant growth since its launch and stated that Merkur intends to work with the team to continue expanding in the regulated US iGaming sector.\\n\\nAndy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said that joining Merkur Group is intended to support future growth and product innovation. He also referenced opportunities to develop an enhanced omni channel proposition that connects digital and land based gaming environments.\\n\\nMichael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, referred to Merkur's earlier expansion into online gaming in Europe and indicated that White Hat Studios would become part of the group's broader international development.\\n\\nThe transaction was advised by Oakvale Capital on behalf of White Hat Studios. CMS acted as legal counsel to White Hat Studios, while Wiggin advised Merkur.\\n\\nImplications for Operators in Regulated States\\n\\nFor operators active in US regulated iGaming markets, the transaction affects the ownership structure behind a supplier that already distributes content across all seven states with legal online slots.\\n\\nBecause the deal is limited to the game development arm, day to day platform services connected to White Hat Gaming are not directly impacted. However, content strategy, future game releases, and omni channel integration may be influenced by Merkur's broader portfolio and resources.\\n\\nWith both White Hat Studios and Gaming Arts under its umbrella, Merkur is positioned to supply content tailored to online environments as well as land based venues. For operators that run both types of operations, this could mean closer alignment between digital titles and physical machine content, depending on how Merkur integrates its assets.\\n\\nOur Assessment\\n\\nMerkur Group's agreement to acquire White Hat Studios strengthens its footprint in regulated US iGaming markets by adding a supplier active in all seven states that permit online slots. The transaction is limited to game development and does not include White Hat Gaming's platform or white label services.\\n\\nCombined with the recent acquisition of Nevada licensed Gaming Arts, the deal expands Merkur's content portfolio across digital and land based channels in the United States. The completion of the White Hat Studios acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals.\\n\\n\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\",\"name\":\"Merkur Acquires White Hat Studios in US Deal\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-16T09:05:06+02:00\",\"description\":\"Merkur Group agrees to acquire White Hat Studios, adding a US wide online slots supplier to its portfolio, subject to regulatory approval.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg\",\"width\":1408,\"height\":736,\"caption\":\"Office towers with handshake icon, stamped contract, server racks, and game controller on a blue background.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Merkur to Acquire White Hat Studios in US iGaming Expansion\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Kryptocasinos.com\",\"description\":\"\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kryptocasinos.com\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kryptocasinos-com-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kryptocasinos-com-logo.svg\",\"width\":109,\"height\":34,\"caption\":\"Kryptocasinos.com\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kryptocasinoscomm\/\"],\"description\":\"Explore the best crypto casinos for %%currentyear%%. Compare top Bitcoin gambling sites by payouts, bonuses, KYC, and supported coins, with hands-on testing.\",\"address\":{\"@type\":\"PostalAddress\",\"streetAddress\":\"557 Fuk Wing St\",\"addressLocality\":\"Cheung Sha Wan\",\"addressRegion\":\"HK\",\"postalCode\":\"999077\",\"addressCountry\":\"CN\"},\"contactPoint\":{\"@type\":\"ContactPoint\",\"email\":\"contact@kryptocasinos.com\"},\"foundingDate\":\"2021-03-27\",\"email\":\"hello@kryptocasinos.com\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"11\",\"maxValue\":\"50\"},\"publishingPrinciples\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/editorial-guidelines\/\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/badee6a5ed8b6777da5bd380d112bcdc\",\"name\":\"Isabella Brown\",\"description\":\"Online Gambling, Greece and my dog Gringo are my three favorite things in my life. 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The completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.\n\nThe deal is limited in scope. It includes only the game development operations of White Hat Studios. The White Hat Gaming platform and its white label services are explicitly excluded from the agreement and will continue under their existing ownership structure. This distinction separates content production from platform and operational services within the broader White Hat brand.\n\nFor operators and industry stakeholders, this means that existing arrangements involving the White Hat Gaming platform are not part of the transaction. The focus is on proprietary game content and related intellectual property.\n\nWhite Hat Studios' Footprint in US Regulated Online Slots\n\nWhite Hat Studios launched in 2021 and has since established a presence across the regulated US online slots market. According to the company, it became the first supplier to bring online slots content to all seven US states that currently regulate the vertical.\n\nIts portfolio includes more than 150 titles. The catalog covers standard online slots, jackpot slots, and RNG table games. It also includes licensed branded titles and proprietary collections such as the House of Brands series, the 7s Fire Blitz line, and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network.\n\nBy operating across all regulated states for online slots, White Hat Studios has positioned itself as a multi state supplier in a market that remains fragmented and subject to state by state regulation. For operators active in several jurisdictions, this type of coverage can simplify content integration and portfolio management.\n\nMerkur's Strategy in the United States\n\nThe acquisition of White Hat Studios forms part of Merkur Group's broader expansion in the United States. The German gaming company stated that its financial resources and industry experience are expected to support White Hat Studios in further developing its slot portfolio and expanding its omni channel offering across land based and digital channels.\n\nThe transaction follows shortly after Merkur's acquisition of Gaming Arts, a game and machine supplier licensed in Nevada. Gaming Arts provides content and machines for land based operations and holds regulatory approval in one of the most established US gaming jurisdictions.\n\nTaken together, the two deals combine online first content through White Hat Studios with omni channel and land based capabilities through Gaming Arts. This structure allows Merkur to offer a broader lineup of content to US operating partners, spanning digital casino platforms and physical gaming venues.\n\nMerkur's leadership has linked the move to its longer term expansion in regulated iGaming markets. The company previously entered the online space in Europe through its acquisition of Blueprint in 2012. The White Hat Studios transaction represents a continuation of that strategy, focused specifically on the US.\n\nStatements From Company Leadership\n\nLars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, described White Hat Studios as having delivered significant growth since its launch and stated that Merkur intends to work with the team to continue expanding in the regulated US iGaming sector.\n\nAndy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said that joining Merkur Group is intended to support future growth and product innovation. He also referenced opportunities to develop an enhanced omni channel proposition that connects digital and land based gaming environments.\n\nMichael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, referred to Merkur's earlier expansion into online gaming in Europe and indicated that White Hat Studios would become part of the group's broader international development.\n\nThe transaction was advised by Oakvale Capital on behalf of White Hat Studios. CMS acted as legal counsel to White Hat Studios, while Wiggin advised Merkur.\n\nImplications for Operators in Regulated States\n\nFor operators active in US regulated iGaming markets, the transaction affects the ownership structure behind a supplier that already distributes content across all seven states with legal online slots.\n\nBecause the deal is limited to the game development arm, day to day platform services connected to White Hat Gaming are not directly impacted. However, content strategy, future game releases, and omni channel integration may be influenced by Merkur's broader portfolio and resources.\n\nWith both White Hat Studios and Gaming Arts under its umbrella, Merkur is positioned to supply content tailored to online environments as well as land based venues. For operators that run both types of operations, this could mean closer alignment between digital titles and physical machine content, depending on how Merkur integrates its assets.\n\nOur Assessment\n\nMerkur Group's agreement to acquire White Hat Studios strengthens its footprint in regulated US iGaming markets by adding a supplier active in all seven states that permit online slots. The transaction is limited to game development and does not include White Hat Gaming's platform or white label services.\n\nCombined with the recent acquisition of Nevada licensed Gaming Arts, the deal expands Merkur's content portfolio across digital and land based channels in the United States. The completion of the White Hat Studios acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals.\n\n"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/","name":"Merkur Acquires White Hat Studios in US Deal","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-16T09:05:06+02:00","description":"Merkur Group agrees to acquire White Hat Studios, adding a US wide online slots supplier to its portfolio, subject to regulatory approval.","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming.jpg","width":1408,"height":736,"caption":"Office towers with handshake icon, stamped contract, server racks, and game controller on a blue background."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/news\/merkur-acquires-white-hat-studios-us-igaming\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Merkur to Acquire White Hat Studios in US iGaming Expansion"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/","name":"Kryptocasinos.com","description":"","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#organization","name":"Kryptocasinos.com","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kryptocasinos-com-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/kryptocasinos-com-logo.svg","width":109,"height":34,"caption":"Kryptocasinos.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.kryptocasinos.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kryptocasinoscomm\/"],"description":"Explore the best crypto casinos for %%currentyear%%. 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