This laid the foundations for a new subsidiary: the MERKUR Casino International GmbH. MERKUR Casino International is currently active in Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, Czech Republic, Serbia, the UK, the Netherlands and Slovakia, and operates more than 360 modern entertainment centres, including bingo halls. Merkur Partners is the affiliate program of the Gauselmann Group, one of Europe's most established gaming providers for Merkur slots machines since 1957. We are licensed with our different brands across the European Markets.
Over 30 years ago the Gauselmann Group started to expand within Europe and from then on evolved into one of the largest internationally active gaming companies.
In 1986, the first international venue opened up in Amsterdam. This laid the foundations for a new subsidiary: the MERKUR Casino International GmbH.
MERKUR Casino International is currently active in Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, Czech Republic, Serbia, the UK, the Netherlands and Slovakia, and operates more than 360 modern entertainment centres, including bingo halls.
PRAESEPE
Praesepe is managed by Stefan Bruns CEO supported by Mark Schertle (COO) & Börris Lüngen (CFO). Praesepe became a part of the Gauselmann Group after they were acquired in 2012. Whilst Gauselmann operates in Germany, they have multiple international venues in countries such as Spain, Serbia, Czech Republic & The Netherlands.
The Praesepe group operates a number of venues throughout the UK with over 180 Adult Gaming Centres under the Merkur Slots and Merkur Cashino brands, 3 Family Entertainment Centres, 5 Beacon Bingo clubs and 24 tanning salons.
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Stefan Bruns
Mark Schertle
Börris Lüngen
Having worked in the Gaming Industry since the age of 18 across both Bingo and AGC sectors, Steve Ambrose has an immense knowledge of the industry sector with much of his experience being gained from a ground up perspective.In 1990 as an 18 year old Steve began his gaming career as a team member at his local Bingo Hall in Wembley and then rapidly rose through the ranks until his 1st General Manager Appointment at the age of 22. In 1996 he moved to Beacon Cricklewood where he became House Manager before swapping the bingo life for that on an Area Manager looking after the AGC part of Thomas Estates.
Currently occupying the position of Operations Director for Praesepe, Steve joined the team in 2010 as part of the Thomas Estates Accusation and has been an integral part of the Praesepe business development ever since.
Away for the industry Steve enjoys his family life with his wife Kerry and 2 Children Abbie and Jack with much of the family time spent either at or on the way to a football or sporting event.
Nigel Davis has worked in the Gaming Industry all his working life, some 34 years, across both AGC and Bingo sectors, he has an in-depth knowledge of the industry very much from the bottom up.
In 1980 as a 17 year old he joined the Beacon Bingo, in his hometown of Loughborough, as a Bingo Operative. Where his hands on, and can do approach soon had him rising through the ranks, under the watchful eye of Jimmy Thomas. Nigel became Showboat Holdings youngest Regional Manager at the age of 21, and ultimately heading up the Machines and Technical Department for Thomas Estates Ltd.
He is currently the Head of Gaming Machines for the Praesepe group, and joined the team in 2010 as part of the Thomas Estates acquisition. He has been at the heart of the Praesepe Machines Department, ever since, working closely with all manufacturers and Industry bodies.
Away from the office Nigel enjoys family life with his wife Kerry and 2 Children Abbie and Harry, hobbies include cooking and Moto GP.
Vicky joined us with a wealth of HR experience from a variety of sectors including retail and entertainment.Having started her career as a retail department manager Vicky moved into a receptionist role, with a food manufacturer, as she wanted a new challenge. She was quickly snapped up to work in the personnel team and developed in her HR career by going back to university two nights a week to gain her CIPD qualifications.
She’s run Graduate Recruitment Campaigns, devised reward and recognition programmes, worked in within a wider team turned around an underperforming business, developed customer service programmes, designed leadership development and dealt with too many tricky ER cases to mention. Vicky hadn’t completed a TUPE Transfer until she joined Praesepe, but she’s got a few of those under her belt now and we can safely say there’s not much in the HR arena she hasn’t done!
A couple of breaks in her career meant Vicky qualified as a counsellor, a gym instructor as well as an exercise to music instructor.
When she’s not bouncing around at work, in a class or working with her clients Vicky likes to spend time with her husband Richard.
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Simon has worked in the gaming industry since leaving University in 2002. Starting his career on the Graduate Gala Management programme in Nottingham before moving to London where Simon spent most of his Gala career. From a trainee to club manager Simon has run many clubs for Gala Bingo during his time there, focussing particularly on the customer journey and development of the machine estate. Simon joined Praesepe in 2013 as a Business Development Manager focussing on Beacon and Cashino before moving to Head of Marketing in early 2017.Outside of work Simon does love to visit the cinema and time off permitting exploring the world!
Merkur Slots is a new brand into the UK showcasing the latest digital “slot gaming” product in convenient high street locations. Designed to provide a modern casino feel on your doorstep with the added benefit of Bingo games. Payouts range from £5 to £500 with complimentary refreshments. Check out our Merkur Slots Facebook page for the latest updates.
Merkur Cashino represents the very best in terms of ‘slot gaming’ entertainment. Merkur Cashino venues are well appointed friendly venues with an emphasis on low stake slot gaming with pay-outs that range from £5 to £500. All of them have well trained and pleasant staff who will help the uninitiated (to get started) and pamper the regular players offering whatever (free) refreshments they desire. You will find Merkur Cashino Gaming venues all over the UK
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Praesepe operates the Beacon Bingo Clubs chain in the UK such as Loughborough to more modern clubs such as Northampton and Cricklewood. In fact the Cricklewood Club is the biggest in Europe. At Beacon we pride ourselves on providing an experience, which is not just about Bingo. We know how important their local Bingo Club is to many of our patrons and we always strive to deliver (not just) great service but a bingo experience which focuses on ambience, safety and fun in a modern environment.
We pride ourselves in providing responsible, indoor tanning solutions with UV tan and fake tan results. At Tan Express we’re very focused on the customer, their skin, their well-being and overall tanning experience. We have a great choice in tanning equipment along with great service and value. We want to keep you looking and feeling great.
Originally called Merkur Engineering, this company was split, with part of it forming Praesepe Service (Operating as Merkur Cashino Service) and the rest integrated into Regal Gaming who supply, service and distribute gaming machines to AGCs, Bingo clubs and pubs across the UK. Merkur Cashino Service is a dedicated machine technical support to the Praesepe Group.
Praesepe also operates a number of ‘Family Entertainment Centres’ (aka seaside arcades) and these can be found at Burnham, Ilfracombe and Weston Super Mare. All our ‘FEC’ venues are equipped with the very latest pusher, video and racing games!
ADULT GAMING CENTRES
‘Adult Gaming Centres’ (AGC’s) are the technical description now given by the 2005 Gambling Act to town and city centre located slot machine lounges. These businesses cater for male and female audiences from 18 years upwards and provide an alternative form of leisure on the high street.
Typically an AGC operates out of 1000 square feet, in a good secondary pitch on the ‘High street’ and contains around 40 gaming machines. The majority of Merkur Cashino and Merkur Slots venues are open 24 hours a day.
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Armin Gauselmann, also a graduate in business administration, is the Gauselmann Group’s Director in charge of personnel and real estate. He also oversees the Deutsche Automatenmuseum – Sammlung Gauselmann [German Coin-Op Museum], which was established in 1985 by Michael Gauselmann, and together with Karin Gauselmann he presides over the Paul and Karin Gauselmann Foundation. In his role on the Supervisory Board, Karsten Gauselmann also helps to secure the company’s fortunes. In the 1980s, Peter Gauselmann also worked as a computer scientist in charge of the development of the IT department of today’s BEIT Systemhaus GmbH.
In order to secure the Gauselmann Group’s continued existence as a consolidated entity, the company was transferred into the “Gauselmann Family Foundation” at the beginning of 2016. As a consequence, the members of the entrepreneurial family have incorporated their respective shares into the foundation. The Foundation’s Advisory Board and Board of Directors are made up predominantly of members of the Gauselmann family.
