Gauselmann names Ettlin as new MD for Merkur Sportwetten

German gaming giant Gauselmann Group has appointed Markus Ettlin as the new managing director and chairman of its Merkur Sportwetten sports betting business.

Ettlin (pictured) has been with Gauselmann since December 2018, having joined the group after an 18-year spell with duty free provider Gebr. Heinemann.

Merkur Sportwetten operates via more than 2,200 points of sale in the form of betting shops, kiosks and terminals, in addition to online offerings in a number of markets.

“I am looking forward to my new assignment; offering our customers a first-class brand experience across all platforms is my top priority,” Ettlin said. “What’s more, forthcoming liberalisation of the market offers huge growth potential.”

Paul Gauselmann, founder and chairman of the board at the Gauselmann Group, added: “In Markus Ettlin, we have gained a top manager with many years of experience in wholesale and retailing, who will help to significantly drive the business forward and optimise the customer experience at the point of sale, both bricks-and-mortar and online.

“An additional bonus is that he comes from a family business, which will of course aid smooth integration into our corporate culture.”

The Merkur Sportwetten network stretches across Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, while Gauselmann last month expanded the business into Poland after agreeing to purchase the Totolotek Poland-facing sports betting subsidiary of Intralot.

Last February, Merkur Sportwetten also acquired a 50% stake in Belgian sports betting company BetCenter, building on an existing relationship between the operator and Gauselmann.

Aside from sports betting, Gauselmann earlier this year moved to strengthen its position in the UK after its Blueprint Gaming arm acquired games developer Project.