Court Dismisses Evolution’s Lawsuit Against Light & Wonder Over Lightning Roulette

Evolution’s lawsuit against Light & Wonder, ruling that Evolution’s patents for its Lightning Roulette game were invalid. The decision, issued by Judge Cristina Silva, found that the patents covered abstract ideas rather than patentable innovations, leading to the dismissal of Evolution’s claims.

Court Rules Against Evolution’s Patent Claims

The lawsuit revolved around Evolution’s assertion that Light & Wonder’s RouletteX game was a direct copy of Lightning Roulette. Evolution claimed that Light & Wonder had access to confidential information during discussions about a potential partnership and then used that knowledge to develop RouletteX. The lawsuit alleged that key features—including random selection of up to five roulette numbers and multipliers ranging from 50x to 500x—were directly taken from Lightning Roulette.

However, Judge Silva determined that Evolution’s patents did not introduce technological advancements beyond the basic mechanics of traditional roulette. In her ruling, she referenced the Alice test, a legal standard used to determine whether patents describe a unique invention or merely an abstract concept. The test consists of two questions:

1. Does the patent claim an abstract idea?
2. If so, does it include additional elements that transform the idea into a patentable concept?

Silva concluded that wagering games are inherently abstract ideas, and simply using computerized elements to execute them does not make them patentable. Furthermore, she noted that Evolution did not adequately explain how its random selection method or payout variations were unique innovations.

Light & Wonder Celebrates Legal Victory

Light & Wonder welcomed the court’s decision, with a company spokesperson stating, “We’re very pleased with the court’s ruling.” The ruling also provided a boost to Light & Wonder’s stock, which saw a modest 0.3% increase following the news.

The lawsuit was one of two major intellectual property cases involving Light & Wonder. While this case has been dismissed, the company is still facing a separate copyright dispute with Aristocrat over the Dragon Link slot game.

Evolution Has the Option to Amend Its Complaint

Although the lawsuit was dismissed, Evolution was given the opportunity to amend its complaint and refile. Judge Silva expressed skepticism about whether the company could successfully revise its case but left the option open. Evolution has 14 days after a court-ordered settlement conference to submit an amended complaint if it chooses to continue its legal pursuit.

Impact on the Gaming Industry

The case highlights the ongoing difficulties in securing intellectual property protections in the gambling industry. Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey noted that courts often classify game mechanics as fundamental concepts rather than proprietary innovations, making it challenging for companies to enforce patent claims.

For now, Light & Wonder has secured a significant legal victory, while Evolution faces the decision of whether to amend its lawsuit or move on. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the ability to protect game mechanics and features through patents remains a complex legal challenge.

Source:

Evolution’s Lightning Roulette lawsuit against L&W dismissed, sbcamericas.com, February 12, 2025.