Evolution Sues Light & Wonder For Copyright Infringement Over Live Roulette Game

Evolution Gaming, a leading developer of live-dealer online casino games, has filed a lawsuit against Light & Wonder (formerly Scientific Games) alleging copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, centers around Evolution’s Lightning Roulette game. The live-dealer game offers unique lightning multipliers that can significantly boost player payouts.

Evolution claims that Nevada-based Light & Wonder, one of Evolution’s primary competitors in the industry, used confidential information related to Lightning Roulette to develop its own live roulette games, RouletteX and PowerX. According to the lawsuit, this confidential information allegedly included “Lightning Roulette math files and payout structures.” Evolution argues that the similarities between these elements in their respective games go beyond coincidence and constitute a clear case of copyright infringement and theft of intellectual property.

The lawsuit details the similarities between the two games. Evolution alleges that both RouletteX and PowerX utilize a similar random number generator (RNG) system to select lucky numbers and multipliers that mirrors the core mechanic of Lightning Roulette.

Furthermore, the complaint highlights the visual similarities, claiming that the games feature a similar user interface, including a roulette wheel with designated lightning-strike zones and corresponding payout displays.

Gaming the system

Evolution contends that Light & Wonder was able to gain access to this confidential information through a multi-pronged approach. The lawsuit specifies that some former Evolution employees now work for Light & Wonder, raising concerns about the potential for knowledge transfer. Additionally, the suit suggests that Light & Wonder might have engaged in reverse engineering practices to glean valuable insights into Lightning Roulette’s mechanics.

This lawsuit comes amidst a growing trend of IP disputes within the live iCasino industry, and Evolution is not the first company to accuse Light & Wonder of copying its products. In February, Australian gaming giant Aristocrat, which recently finalized the purchase of NeoGames for $1.2 billion, filed a similar lawsuit against Light & Wonder. It alleges that the company’s popular slot game Jewel of the Dragon was a blatant copy of Aristocrat’s successful Dragon Link title.

Evolution is seeking significant compensation from Light & Wonder for the alleged copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. The lawsuit requests a permanent injunction barring Light & Wonder from offering RouletteX and PowerX. Furthermore, Evolution is seeking unspecified financial damages to compensate for the alleged misappropriation of its intellectual property.

Live-dealer innovation at stake

A successful outcome for Evolution could deter future instances of alleged copyright infringement and encourage greater respect for gaming industry IP. Conversely, a victory for Light & Wonder could set a precedent for replicating successful game mechanics, potentially leading to a more homogenized iCasino experience for players.

The potential consequences for Light & Wonder in the face of the copyright infringement allegations could be multifaceted. If the court finds in favor of Evolution, Light & Wonder may face substantial financial penalties.

Beyond financial repercussions, Light & Wonder could also be subject to injunctive relief. This would involve a court order to cease the production and distribution of the disputed games, which could disrupt Light & Wonder’s business operations and affect its market position. The injunction could also potentially require the destruction of existing inventory, leading to further losses.

Light & Wonder has yet to publicly respond to the Evolution lawsuit. However, it asserted that its content was 100% original in response to the Aristocrat suit.