Proven VLT technology since 2001

In 2001 the Gauselmann Group with its subsidiary Merkur Spielothek started to connect all slots in operation in Germany to a central system. This central system, developed in collaboration with our sister companies Edict (Online Gaming) and BEIT (IT-Provider), has since then provided important information about games performance, cash management, staff planning and other strategically important information for the operations of our German gaming halls and slots. Remote control of operational functions such as coin and/or bill acceptance, change of game relevant parameters and other functions are also available. SAP is the leading system in this environment where the data analysis is made after storing all relevant data in an Oracle data warehouse.

Merkur Spielothek presently operates nearly 11,000 slots in the German market in more than 220 gaming halls and all are connected to a single server system. The experience collected from the development and operation of the German slots has been fundamental in the development of our international VLT systems based on the proven experience of the German paradigm. Therefore, the Gauselmann Group is in the process of certifying its German system as a VLT system through GLI. This process has already started and will be completed in the near future.

Due to the powerful and efficient possibilities of the architecture of the central system called FILO / Merkur Infonet, there are more than 8,000 additional slots that are connected to this system in Germany by other operators (thus competitors). The architecture of the system is such that up to 2,000 slots from the various gaming halls of competing companies connect to single servers centrally for managing their own slots/venues in a secure and efficient fashion.

 

Licensed operator

The Gauselmann Group’s subsidiary Merkur Casino has been a licensed operator in the Czech Republic since 2008 and in Slovakia since 2010  -   in both countries naturally according to the respective gaming laws. Merkur Casino operates more than 1,000 certified VLTs in both countries either in their own gaming halls or with revenue sharing models with other operators that do not own the required licences. There are other business models possible with VLT license holders that reflect the particular market situation.

In 1998 the Gauselmann Group was the first European company to get the renowned Nevada production licence for the most important casino market in the USA. The integrity of the Gauselmann Group and staff was underlined with that permission once again.

 

Certified VLTs

Besides the license to operate, we also obtained the certification needed for the games and the VLTs in Czech Republic and in Slovakia. In Italy we obtained a certification for our VLT cabinets and games which are used in our joint venture "Merkur Inspired", operating under a revenue sharing model, where Merkur is also the subcontractor for building the VLTs under the Inspired label. More than 750 MERKUR Slant Top cabinets are already in operation in Italy. We provide our games in more than 4,200 VLTs in Italy. We expect to have more than 3,000 Slant Top cabinets in operation by the end of 2012.

 

Product mix

We also operate VLTs from other manufacturers such as Novomatic, Kajot, Apex, etc. to provide a market conforming product mix to our customers in the gaming halls. Service and maintenance is carried out by our own service staff for all products in use. Additionally, all of these VLTs are also connected to our management system to provide a common database.

 

Proven experience in operating and managing venues

Due to our long-term experience, we are experts in operating procedures which are supported by our FILO system. We use a common machine management guideline all over Europe in all our subsidiaries. In these guidelines it is fixed which limits apply to withdraw machines or increase their number in a gaming hall. We know exactly what a specific market needs in terms of games due to our extensive market research and experience from our own operation with competitor products. A number of applications has been developed to be used by the shop managers to optimise the running of the halls.

With all these advanced features we are ahead of the competition and are able to always provide the best products and optimal services to our customers in the gaming halls.

adp, the development and manufacturing company of the Gauselmann Group,  is ISO 9001 certified and therefore provides the highest quality.