History: The MERKUR B

It all started with a dream and a breakthrough: on December 9, 1976, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt officially approved the “MERKUR B.” Little did anyone know at the time that this single machine would serve as the cornerstone for a global empire.MERKUR B” machine by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt would lay the foundation for an international group.

That vision became a reality. Today, the MERKUR GROUP has expanded into a worldwide powerhouse with a workforce of about 15,000 people spanning from Australia to Peru, making its signature sun logo one of the most recognized symbols in the global gaming industry.

Reflecting on the early days, Paul Gauselmann—who had been refining the machine since 1971—noted that while the MERKUR B still had room for technical improvement, the gameplay itself was world-class. It quickly outperformed the competition, a success that was immediately evident in the revenue figures.

How did it come about?

Paul Gauselmann recalls the motivation behind the creation: “Back in 1971, I held leadership roles in both the ZOA and the DAV. After I dared to criticize one of the established industry giants who had dominated the post-war German market, the company Wulff from Berlin responded by boycotting me. For a successful wholesaler like myself, this was a disaster, as I could no longer provide my clients with the most popular product, the ‘Monarch.’ I tried to resolve the conflict through a personal meeting with Günter Wulff, but the experience left a bitter taste. On my journey home from Berlin, I vowed that I would never again be in such a vulnerable position. I decided right then to build my own machine—and that is exactly what I did.”