Paul Gauselmann, founder and longtime Chairman of the Board of Merkur Group, died Aug. 21 at the age of 91, shortly before his 92nd birthday.
Over a 67-year career, Gauselmann built a one-man business into an international gaming company with more than 15,000 employees and turnover of approximately €2.1 billion [$2.5 billion]. He also spent decades representing the interests of Germany’s gaming machine industry. Even after stepping down from the Group’s top management in 2024, he continued coming to the office twice a week for many months to oversee day-to-day operations.
Born in 1934 in Borghorst near Münster, Gauselmann lost his mother at age two and was raised by relatives in Münster, separated from his father and four brothers.
