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Leadership transition within the Merkur Group
Paul Gauselmann steps down from the group’s executive management / Michael Gauselmann assumes the roles of Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation / Lars Felderhoff is appointed new Chairman of the Management Board
A new chapter is dawning for the Merkur Group as company founder Paul Gauselmann is set to retire as Management Board Chairman on 1 October, stepping back from the company’s executive leadership. For 67 years, he has shaped the destiny of the group, transforming a part-time one-man business into an internationally acclaimed group of companies with total sales revenues of around 4 billion euros and external sales revenues of over 2.7 billion euros. “I have consistently devoted my energy to the company’s welfare, and at the same time to the benefit of our approximately 15,000 employees,” he stated. “Now the time has come to entrust my life’s work to the younger generation,” explains Paul Gauselmann. Lars Felderhoff, 48, CFO of the Merkur Group, will assume the role of Chairman. He will be supported by Jürgen Stühmeyer (64), Management Board member with responsibility for sales, and Manfred Stoffers (70), Management Board member with responsibility for marketing, communications and political affairs, as vice-chairs. “I am delighted that this trio is taking over the helm. They are outstanding leaders with a deep understanding of the company,” adds Paul Gauselmann, who will continue his association with the company as a member of the Gauselmann Family Foundation.
A generational shift is also taking place on another level: Michael Gauselmann (68) is set to assume the role of Chairman of the Supervisory Board from Manfred Grünewald (89) on 1 October. He will also succeed Paul Gauselmann as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gauselmann Family Foundation. As the sole shareholder of the group, the Foundation is the hub for all fundamental strategic decisions. “I am thrilled that my son Michael is embracing this important responsibility and will contribute his international experience to our company,” states Paul Gauselmann. Michael Gauselmann, a business administration graduate, joined the group in 1982 and worked across all business segments. He advanced internationalisation by establishing the subsidiary Atronic in 1993, overseeing all foreign operations. For a decade, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Management Board before becoming Co-Chairman of the Group Management Board, sharing responsibilities with Paul Gauselmann from 2004 to 2012. From 2013, he was involved in the then Gauselmann Family Council and, from 2016, in the Gauselmann Family Foundation.
Lars Felderhoff will assume responsibility for executive management as the new Group Chairman. He has overseen the finances and organisation of the Merkur Group since 2018. He started his career in 2000 at the subsidiary Atronic. From 2007 to 2011, he expanded his expertise at the gaming group GTech (now IGT) and at Metro Cash & Carry International, a wholesale group. Felderhoff rejoined Merkur in 2011 as the Commercial Director of the adp Merkur subsidiary. In that capacity, he was in charge of commercial operations for the Merkur business segment, encompassing over 40 companies both in Germany and internationally. As a native of Rahden, he has close ties to the region and understands the roots of the corporate group. “The challenge is immense, and naturally, we will not be able to fill the shoes of an entrepreneur like Paul Gauselmann one-to-one. However, the company is robust and agile enough to continue setting new benchmarks in the future.”
He is assisted by the Management Board’s Vice-Chairs, Jürgen Stühmeyer and Manfred Stoffers. Stühmeyer, who hails from Minden, has dedicated 37 years to the Eastern-Westphalian company, starting as a trainee in 1987 and progressively advancing through the ranks. In his function as the Management Board member responsible for sales, he has directed the strategic orientation and commercial success of the entire Merkur pillar since 2007. Manfred Stoffers joined the company in 2011 as a consultant to the Chairman of Gauselmann AG, and was appointed Management Board member responsible for Marketing, Communications and Political Affairs in 2015.
Paul Gauselmann expressed great satisfaction with the top-level personnel changes, stating, “Reorganising the company by the time I turn 90 has been my wish for some time. We have accomplished this very well and are ideally positioned for the future, particularly as my son Michael, both a member of the Gauselmann family and an experienced entrepreneur, will continue to be involved in the most critical decisions.”
The post Leadership transition within the Merkur Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Natural8 India Unveils Its Biggest Exclusive Poker Giveaway Yet!
Nine Indian Players to Compete at APT Taipei 2025 for the Prestigious Lions Trophy: Natural8 India to Unveil its Biggest Poker Giveaway!
Natural8 India is back with yet another thrilling opportunity for Indian poker players to showcase their skills on an international stage. After an unforgettable journey to APT Manila, the platform is now setting its sights on APT Taipei 2025, offering nine Indian players a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete live and vie for the prestigious APT Lions Trophy. Set to be the biggest APT Taipei series ever, this exclusive event promises high stakes, intense competition, and an unmatched poker experience in an all-new venue.
The road to Taipei begins with the highly anticipated Online MTT on March 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM IST, where players can secure their place in the top nine. With a buy-in of INR 5,500 and satellite tournaments starting at just INR 550, the event ensures that every poker enthusiast has a shot at glory. The stakes are higher than ever, with an additional INR 20 lakh in added benefits—a 33% increase from previous events—making this India’s biggest exclusive poker giveaway yet.
Winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to APT Taipei, including flights and accommodation worth up to INR 1,20,000 each. The top four will also claim Main Event tickets worth INR 1,47,000, while the remaining five will secure Mini Main Event tickets valued at INR 67,000. The live final table, set for April 26, 2025, will be streamed directly from Taipei, ensuring an electrifying showdown as players battle for the coveted Lions Trophy.
Speaking about the event, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head of Natural8 India, stated, “This is a golden opportunity for Indian players to make history on the international poker circuit. We can’t wait to see the top nine take on Taipei and bring the trophy home!”
As the excitement builds, Natural8 India remains committed to elevating the poker experience for Indian players, ensuring that they get the best possible platform to compete globally. With thrilling action, unparalleled rewards, and a shot at poker glory, APT Taipei 2025 promises to be an event to remember.
The post Natural8 India Unveils Its Biggest Exclusive Poker Giveaway Yet! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Acer Refreshes Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Graphics Cards with New AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series GPUs
Six new models announced for AI-enhanced gaming, streaming, and creation with 8K visuals and optimized thermal design with triple FrostBlade 4.0 cooling fans.
Acer today unveiled its latest Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro graphics cards, powered by the next-generation AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series GPUs. This cutting-edge line-up includes six models designed to elevate gaming and creative experiences with next-level performance and visual fidelity. The models include the Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB, Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB, and two Nitro graphics cards: Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB, Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB.
The new GPUs are engineered for ultra-fast gaming and demanding tasks, leveraging AMD RDNA™ 4 compute units and up to 16 GB of memory to deliver immersive 8K visuals. The advanced cooling technology, featuring three FrostBlade 4.0 fans, and reinforced designs ensures systems can be pushed to their limits while maintaining peak performance. DIY gamers will appreciate new software features such as Acer Intelligence Space, which offers intuitive AI system detection, and Acer Game Assistance’s adaptive aim system to give players a competitive edge.
AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series GPUs
The latest Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics cards are powered by up to the new AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC Graphics, featuring unified AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture with powerful raytracing capabilities, AI accelerators and up to 16 GB of memory. Gamers can enjoy the latest gaming displays and experience increased visual quality for video streaming and editing as these next-generation designs activate AMD HYPR-RX to instantly enable all supported performance-boosting and latency-reducing technologies across thousands of games. Expect deep immersion with higher quality and clarity thanks to AI-powered AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 image upscaling with advanced frame generation technologies, which boost framerates in supported games. Players can showcase their skills with enhanced multimedia and streaming experiences using the AMD Radiance Display™ Engine.
Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9000 Series Graphics Cards
The Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB graphics card boasts a boost clock of up to 3,100 MHz and game clock of up to 2,570 MHz, while the Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB graphics card offers boost and game clock speeds of up to 2,700 MHz and up to 2,210 MHz respectively for ultra-smooth responsiveness.
The Acer Nitro Radeon™ Series provides gamers and creators the tools to enhance their digital experiences, featuring maximum boost clock speeds of up to 3,100 MHz and game clock speeds of up to 2,570 MHz for balanced performance and efficiency. All models come equipped with the latest advancements from AMD Radeon™ technology and 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM, pushing the graphics cards to their maximum processing prowess.
Advanced Cooling and Durability
These GPUs are equipped with Acer’s advanced cooling systems, which provide added support in reaching peak performance. Featuring state-of-the-art cooling technology with triple FrostBlade 4.0 fans, counter-spin designs for smoother airflow, and oxygen-free thermal pipes, the Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon™ graphics cards maintain optimal heat dispersion to keep temperatures in check. Supported by dual-ball bearing systems and lubricating oil, the fans are engineered to reduce noise, withstand elevated temperatures, and minimize friction on the fan bearings.
These graphics cards are also built for lasting durability and dominance, crafted with an aluminum backplate and a metal anti-bending design, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of continuous use. Heat-dissipating vents and a reinforced copper base efficiently absorb heat from the GPUs, which is expelled quickly through oxygen-free heat pipes.
Intelligent Features
Acer Intelligent Space serves as the central hub for the device’s AI features, identifying system hardware, suggesting compatible AI applications to optimize performance, and helping players identify more gaming tools. Acer Game Assistance provides a competitive edge by automatically adjusting colors and offering a sniper mode for precise targeting in shooting games. Additionally, Acer ProCam automatically detects and records gameplay highlights to capture key moments in the game.
The multi-display capabilities allow users to connect to four displays, with each graphics card equipped with three DisplayPorts, one HDMI 2.1 port, and up to a PCIe 5.0 bus, providing a seamless and immersive experience across gaming, streaming, and creative applications.
Specifications
Name | Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB |
Model | PB-RX9070XT-SOC |
Graphics | AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series graphics |
Interface | BUS: PCIe 5.0 x 16 |
Memory | Size: 16 GB GDDR6
Bandwidth: 640 GB/s Speed: 20 GB/s |
Graphics Clock | Boost clock: Up to 3,100 MHz
Game clock: Up to 2,570 MHz |
Cooling | FrostBlade 4.0 ringed fans x 3, counter-spin design |
Output | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 x3,
Digital Max Resolution: 8K Simultaneous display: 4 |
Total Board Power | 340W |
Dimensions | 295 (L) x 120 (W) x 49(H) mm, 2.5 slots |
Name | Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB |
Model | PB-RX9070-SOC |
Graphics | AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series graphics |
Interface | BUS: PCIe 5.0 x 16 |
Memory | Size: 16 GB GDDR6
Bandwidth: 640 GB/s Speed: 20 GB/s |
Graphics Clock | Boost clock: Up to 2,700 MHz
Game clock: Up to 2,210 MHz |
Cooling | FrostBlade 4.0 ringed fans x 3, counter-spin design |
Output | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 x3,
Digital Max Resolution: 8K Simultaneous display: 4 |
Total Board Power | 340W |
Dimensions | 295 (L) x 120 (W) x 49(H) mm, 2.5 slots |
The post Acer Refreshes Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Graphics Cards with New AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series GPUs appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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TEAM VITALITY ANNOUNCES ITS PARTICIPATION TO ESPORTS WORLD CUP FOUNDATION CLUB PROGRAM 2025
- After securing a top-4 finish and cementing its place among the world’s leading esports clubs, Team Vitality returns to the Esports World Club Program for a second consecutive year, aiming to continue its success by hoisting World Cup trophies.
- Driven by its ambition to become the best esports club in the world, Team Vitality is setting bold objectives for the 2025 Esports World Cup. This global competition presents a key opportunity to reinforce its status as an esports powerhouse by fielding top-tier rosters and competing for every title. Because in esports, every win counts.
Leading esports club Team Vitality is proud to announce its return to the Esports World Cup (EWC) for the 2025 edition. As an official Club Partner of the Esports World Cup Foundation, Team Vitality is set to showcase its competitive excellence on the global stage and reaffirm that performance is at the core of its identity. Over and above the performance, this type of major event allows us to continue to globalise the Team Vitality brand and increase our visibility around the world.
And this year, the French club is more determined than ever to win its flagship games (Counter-Strike, VALORANT, Rocket League, MLBB, RENNSPORT) and to spring a surprise on others (TFT, Chess, etc.). For the EWC Club Championship, Team Vitality is determined to make history alongside its global fan community!
NEW YEAR, NEW AMBITIONS, NEW GAMES
Launched in 2023, the Club Partner Program is a pioneering initiative that brings together top-tier esports clubs from around the world. Designed to unite esports fans across various game ecosystems, the program aims to expand the global esports community and elevate the sport’s reach and impact. After securing a top-four finish at last year’s inaugural tournament, Team Vitality is aiming for even greater success at the 2025 Esports World Cup.
With the introduction of new titles such as VALORANT and Chess to the competition, the EWC enables Team Vitality to expand its competitive ambitions across multiple disciplines. The club recently welcomed chess grandmaster Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave as its first professional chess player and made a dominant statement in VALORANT by winning the VCT EMEA Kickoff with its star-studded roster.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ESPORTS HISTORY IN FRONT OF OUR FANS
Competing at this prestigious international event presents a unique opportunity to solidify its place among the world’s best esports organizations. As one of the most renowned global competitions, the EWC has become a key milestone for leading clubs and a catalyst for accelerating international expansion through strategic roster acquisitions.
Team Vitality Co-Founder and President Fabien “Neo” Devide comments: “We are excited to join the Esports World Cup Foundation as an official Club Partner for 2025. This partnership reinforces our commitment to excellence on the global stage and our ambition to reach new heights. Our objective is clear: every win counts and brings us closer to being the best. The EWC presents a unique opportunity to showcase our strength across multiple esports disciplines and secure prestigious titles for our fans and legacy.”
The post TEAM VITALITY ANNOUNCES ITS PARTICIPATION TO ESPORTS WORLD CUP FOUNDATION CLUB PROGRAM 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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