Paul Gauselmann, the founder and long-serving Chairman of the Merkur Group, passed away today, just shy of his 92nd birthday. Hailing from Westphalia, he transformed a small post-war venture into a global enterprise boasting over 15,000 employees and an annual revenue of approximately 2.1 billion euros.
For an impressive 67 years, Gauselmann was a pivotal figure in the company and a staunch advocate for the German gaming machine sector. His contributions were recognized in 2003 when he received the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class, and in 2004, he was honored as an honorary citizen of both Espelkamp and Lübbecke.
He is survived by his wife, Karin, along with four sons, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
In a statement, the Merkur Group described him as a beloved company leader and an inspiring figure. “Even as the head of the Group, Paul always took the time to engage with employees, regardless of their position,” they noted.
“He showed appreciation through kind words and genuine inquiries, treating everyone with respect. His own experiences as an employee underscored the importance of recognition and open communication, principles he upheld throughout his life.”
Born in 1934 in Borghorst, near Münster, Gauselmann faced early hardships, losing his mother at two and being raised by relatives. He witnessed the horrors of World War II, which instilled in him resilience and a knack for improvisation. He often reflected on how games provided solace during those turbulent times, stating, “We simply used games to pass the time and take our minds off our fears.”
After excelling in his studies, he began an apprenticeship as a telecommunications inspector in 1950, quickly advancing to lead his own inspection department. In 1956, he joined a vending machine manufacturer, where he created the first remote selection unit for jukeboxes in Germany.
By 1957, he was operating jukeboxes part-time, and in 1964, he became fully self-employed in the gaming machine sector. Determined to elevate the visibility of commercial machine gaming, he opened his first gaming arcade in 1974, designed to four-star hotel standards.
His first in-house developed slot machine, the Merkur B, debuted in 1977 and significantly propelled the Group's growth. This was just the beginning of numerous innovations, hundreds of patents, and a strategic expansion into international markets.
Beyond his personal achievements, Gauselmann was dedicated to the overall welfare of the amusement and gaming machine industry. He played a crucial role in shaping industry policies since the 1960s, engaging directly with peers rather than discussing issues behind their backs.
For over 38 years, he was a key player in the industry, serving 28 of those years as Chairman of the Board for the Association of the German Vending Machine Industry.