Rich Reels

What is Rich Reels?

Merkur represents the gaming and leisure division of the Gauselmann Group, a historic German family-owned enterprise specialising in gaming machines, software and casino operations across Europe. 

Earlier this year Merkur Group agreed to acquire the slots provider White Hat Studios. Merkur said the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals, would “further accelerate” its US expansion, complementing its 2025 purchase of the Nevada-licensed supplier Gaming Arts.  

Framing the acquisition as the latest step in the company’s online expansion, Merkur supervisory board Chairman Michael Gauselmann stated: “Having made early inroads into the online space in Europe via our Blueprint acquisition in 2012, I am delighted by this latest development and am confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to our group.” 

How to play Rich Reels

It has been a challenging few years for Entain, having cycled through four CEOs in short succession. In November 2023 Entain agreed to pay a financial penalty totalling £585 million, plus a £20 million charitable donation and £10 million in Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and HMRC costs. This related to a bribery case initiated by the CPS into the company’s historic operations in Turkey.

Troubles continued as it faced declining growth within its digital business. Reports of failed integrations amid a frenzy of acquisitions further dampened Entain’s reputation and the operator subsequently committed to a major turnaround effort to cut costs and return its digital business to growth.

Efforts to update its legacy tech were also set in motion, and short-lived CEO Gavin Isaacs told iGB at ICE in January 2025 that his biggest challenge in the role was to modernise its core platform.

How to play Rich Reels

The clearest example is the bonus structure, where the sequel widens the range of upgrades tied to its three free-spin tiers. Free spins activate when three, four or five scatter symbols land. Three scatters award seven Duck Hunt Spins, four scatters trigger eight Hawk Eye Spins and five scatters unlock ten Big Game Spins. Each tier grants progressively more upgrade selections, which is where the sequel’s expanded potential is concentrated rather than in the base game.

Nolimit City has also leaned harder into optional purchase mechanics, a defining part of its recent output. Duck Hunters 2 offers an extensive collection of optional purchase features. These span direct bonus buys, targeted feature purchases, and a booster menu that resets starting conditions.

the sequel is evidence of a studio comfortable returning to proven mechanical families