Merkur: "Trade shows such as G2E are the ideal platform for establishing new contacts and business relationships"

With G2E Las Vegas 2025 just around the corner, German giant Merkur is heading into the global gaming showcase with more than just a lineup of new products. The company arrives in the U.S. with a newly secured manufacturing and distribution license for Nevada, marking a key step in its ambitions for the North American market.

With a presence already established in Latin America, the company is looking to turn conversations at G2E into concrete partnerships that will help shape its future across the Atlantic.

Ahead of the summit, Yogonet sat down with Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member at Merkur Games, to talk about what the company is bringing to Las Vegas, how he sees the road ahead in the Americas, and why this year’s G2E could be a defining one for Merkur’s global journey.

What are your expectations for G2E Las Vegas 2025? 

Alongside ICE, G2E is the most important opportunity for us to personally showcase our products to a wide audience and to engage in meaningful conversations with both existing and potential new customers. On the one hand, we naturally look forward to welcoming many of our Latin American customers to our Merkur World, particularly given the geographic proximity.

On the other hand, we are especially excited that, only a few months after receiving our manufacturing and distribution license for the state of Nevada, we can use this platform to engage in promising discussions that will help us pave the way for a successful future in the North American gaming market.

What will the company's main products be at the fair? 

As always, the focus of our product showcase will be our latest content innovations. Among the highlights are two brand-new Linked Progressive Jackpot systems – Link Overdrive and Link Palace – which are set to generate strong interest in Las Vegas thanks to their diverse mechanics and exciting game worlds.

Another standout will be Dragor: having become a true crowd favorite in our home market of Germany, the jackpot feature is now ready to make its debut on the international stage. All of these jackpot highlights will be presented on our proven cabinets, Mod Ex and Zonic Trio.

What are your business prospects in the North American and Latin American markets, both in person and online? 

In Latin America, despite sometimes challenging conditions and strict regulations, we are maintaining a solid position. Our jackpot systems – such as Link Wave and, more recently, Link Overdrive – have enjoyed great success and contribute significantly to our popularity among Latin American players.

In North America, we are still at a very early stage. However, promising initial business relationships form a strong foundation, which we intend to build on through meaningful discussions at G2E and beyond.

What do you expect from the G2E academic agenda? What topics or debates do you think will generate the most interest during the event? 

The educational sessions are an excellent opportunity for both exhibitors and attendees to gain insights into current trends, a wide range of product segments, and the latest regulatory developments. I expect that presentations on online gaming and artificial intelligence will be particularly well-received. Likewise, sessions that provide guidance on regulatory frameworks and offer practical advice will certainly attract considerable interest.

What will Merkur's networking strategies be during the event? 

First and foremost, it is especially important for us to welcome our existing customers from around the world to our booth and to engage in in-depth conversations about our products, partnerships, and the industry. At the same time, we will of course continue to be open, attentive, and approachable towards everyone who shows interest in our products and our company.

After all, trade shows such as G2E are the ideal platform for establishing new contacts and business relationships. Ultimately, we are simply looking forward to many engaging and insightful discussions – both with familiar faces and with new ones.