Merkur Group Agrees Deal to Acquire White Hat Studios
The deal will bring one of the fastest-growing US slot suppliers into the Merkur portfolio, strengthening the group’s online and omni-channel content offering. White Hat Studios has expanded rapidly since launching in 2021 and now supplies games across all seven regulated US iGaming states.
Its portfolio includes the 7s Fire Blitz series, a growing collection of branded slots and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network. These products will sit alongside Merkur’s wider gaming operations as the company continues to build its presence in North America.
The acquisition follows Merkur’s recent purchase of Nevada-based supplier Gaming Arts, suggesting the company is pursuing a broader US expansion strategy across both digital and land-based gaming.
White Hat Gaming’s platform and white-label divisions are not included in the transaction and will remain under their existing ownership. The acquisition is also still subject to regulatory approval.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said: “Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omni-channel proposition.”
Merkur Group has agreed to acquire White Hat Studios as part of a wider push into the regulated US iGaming market.
The deal will bring one of the fastest-growing US slot suppliers into the Merkur portfolio, strengthening the group’s online and omni-channel content offering. White Hat Studios has expanded rapidly since launching in 2021 and now supplies games across all seven regulated US iGaming states.
Its portfolio includes the 7s Fire Blitz series, a growing collection of branded slots and the Jackpot Royale progressive jackpot network. These products will sit alongside Merkur’s wider gaming operations as the company continues to build its presence in North America.
The acquisition follows Merkur’s recent purchase of Nevada-based supplier Gaming Arts, suggesting the company is pursuing a broader US expansion strategy across both digital and land-based gaming.
White Hat Gaming’s platform and white-label divisions are not included in the transaction and will remain under their existing ownership. The acquisition is also still subject to regulatory approval.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said: “Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omni-channel proposition.”
Merkur Strengthens Its Position in US iGaming
This is more than a standard content partnership. By acquiring White Hat Studios, Merkur gains direct access to an established supplier with distribution across every regulated US online casino market.
The deal also adds another progressive jackpot product to Merkur’s portfolio through Jackpot Royale, at a time when linked jackpot networks remain an important part of player engagement across online casinos.
For CasinoTrackpot readers, the acquisition is another sign of consolidation among major gaming suppliers. Larger groups are increasingly buying proven studios rather than relying solely on individual integrations or distribution agreements.
Merkur already owns Blueprint Gaming, which it acquired in 2012, and the addition of White Hat Studios would give it a stronger mix of European and North American content, established slot brands and jackpot-led products.
With regulatory approval still required, the deal is not yet complete. However, it represents one of the more significant supplier acquisitions of 2026 and could reshape Merkur’s position in the US market.