1.   

On 24 March 2022, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—	Gauselmann AG (‘Gauselmann’), Germany;

—	Greentube Internet Entertainment Solutions GmbH (‘Greentube’), controlled by Novomatic Group (both: Austria);

—	Newly incorporated Joint Venture.

Gauselmann and Greentube will acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

2.   

The business activities of the undertakings concerned:

—	for Gauselmann: development and sale of slot machines, development of games for gambling, online-gambling and sports betting as well as operation of gambling halls, active primarily in Germany and other European countries.

—	for Greentube: part of the Novomatic Group, which provides games for gambling, gambling solutions and related services as a full-service provider across all segments of the gambling industry, active primarily in Austria, active in 75 countries overall.

—	for the newly incorporated Joint Venture: establishment of a platform for online-gambling.

3.   

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.   

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

Case M.10218 – Gauselmann/Greentube/JV

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË