German gaming technology and equipment manufacturer Gauselmann Group has been preparing its production and gaming facilities for an earlier opening, encouraged by the recent developments in the country where the federal government starts to ease back the economy from the restrictions.
Production, Sales and Gaming Closed
Due to the coronavirus spreading concerns, Gauselmann closed down all of its 700 gaming facilities and 10 casinos throughout Germany, the country where recently the gaming industry was dominated by the ongoing legalization of sports betting. Even Gauselmann’s production, sales, and development arm, Merkur Gaming, located in Lubbecke where the Group is headquartered was closed to support the health risk mitigation measures.
For almost a week though, small businesses have been allowed to re-open as German Chancellor Merkel announced tentative steps to slowly start returning the country to normal. Most of the restrictive measures will continue through May 3, and some limitations even beyond, further influencing the way public life goes, like restaurants, gyms, and bars will stay closed indefinitely, and large gatherings of people such as sports events, concerts, and festivals will not be phased-in before end of August, if not later.
Optimism for an Earlier Opening
Encouraged by the country-wide resolve to return back to normal functioning, albeit with some risk mitigation measures in place, Gauselmann’s CEO and founder, Paul Gauselmann, said the prevailing expectations for an earlier opening for casinos and gaming facilities had been backed by the Group taking all required steps to be fully prepared.
Company-wide salary cost mitigation measures have been implemented, with 13,500 employees being placed on furlough, while board members, as well as the corporate staff, have agreed to 50% salary cuts for the duration of the closure. Like any other company operating in a business that is currently generating zero revenue, Gauselmann was faced with hard choices between protecting its employees while also considering the future of the company.
As explained by Board Member Dieter Kuhlmann, Gauselmann’s commercial venues have the advantage of already having provisions in place that are very close to the social-distancing requirements, that will allow the company to provide optimal infection protection, with minimal additional measures, for its customers and staff members.
Paul Gauselmann reiterated his stance that the company was seeking to preserve nearly all 14,000 jobs, as most of its employees had been showing loyalty to it during all these years and it is unthinkable for the business to repay them that way and abandon them amid these hard times.
Gauselmann Group was founded back in 1957, starting as a one-man part-time independent machine operator. Now the small entrepreneurship has grown into an international family-owned company, committed to providing leisure-time entertainment, with operations in many regulated jurisdictions. Its latest acquisition was the majority stake in Bede Gaming, the online gaming platform with casino, sports betting, and lottery offerings.