Gauselmann Group has expanded its footprint across Northern Germany, acquiring the 35 arcade properties of Bührmann Group.

Last Friday, the board of Gauselmann informed investors that it had concluded ‘protracted negotiations’ related to completing the acquisition of Bührmann Group’s arcade venues.

Negotiations had stalled as the COVID-19 pandemic forced Bührmann Group to revise all strategic options related to the valuation of its hospitality and leisure assets operating across the Norddeutschland.

The agreed deal will see Gauselmann’s flagship Merkur arcade unit take control of Play Fair Casino and Gerdes Spielkonzepte venues located in the city of Bremen and across the state of Lower Saxony.

Despite the sell-off of its arcade venues, Bührmann Group will continue to operate its ‘PlayLounge’ casino properties located in Bremen and in the towns of Lilenthal and Brake in Lower Saxony.

Observing a tough winter lockdown period, Gauselmann was forced to close all 700 of its gambling venues across Germany including 10 of its casino units.

From April onwards, Gauselmann began to reopen its gambling estates, accommodating the individual restrictions and venue safety measures applied by German Bundesländer.