Evolution Takes Another Shot at Light & Wonder in Patent Dispute

Evolution has revived its legal battle with Light & Wonder, filing an amended complaint in Nevada District Court. This new filing highlights a third game that Evolution claims infringes on its patents, adding to the previously raised issues with Light & Wonder’s Roulette X product.

Background of the Initial Lawsuit

The original lawsuit filed by Evolution centered on its popular game, Lightning Roulette, accusing Light & Wonder of infringing its patents with their product, Roulette X. In addition to this patent infringement, Evolution alleged that the two companies had previously collaborated to develop Lightning Roulette for physical casinos. However, that partnership reportedly fell apart when Light & Wonder launched its own version, Roulette X, for the market.

Judge Cristina Silva of the Nevada District Court dismissed the initial lawsuit in February. She ruled that Evolution’s patents related to Lightning Roulette were too vague to be enforceable, particularly under the Alice test, a legal standard that assesses patent eligibility. This ruling led to Evolution’s decision to refine its case and pursue further legal action.

Refined Claims and Addition of New Game

The updated lawsuit, filed after the dismissal, aims to address the concerns raised by Judge Silva. Evolution has revised its argument regarding its patents in hopes of better meeting the legal requirements for enforceability. Furthermore, the company has expanded its complaint by adding 88 Fortunes Blaze Live Roulette to its list of games that allegedly infringe upon Evolution’s patents.

88 Fortunes Blaze Live Roulette was unveiled by Light & Wonder at the 2024 Global Gaming Expo and launched in January of the same year. Evolution claims that the game, which is now operational at at least two live dealer studios—one in the U.S. and one in Europe—incorporates patented features developed by Evolution.

In light of these developments, Evolution sent a letter to Light & Wonder in February, warning of further legal action if the issue was not resolved. The company is now seeking a court order to prevent Light & Wonder from continuing to offer the allegedly infringing games. Additionally, Evolution is demanding treble damages and disgorgement of profits that Light & Wonder has reportedly earned from the sale and operation of these games.

Court’s Position on the Case

Despite the updated filing, Judge Silva’s earlier skepticism about Evolution’s case still lingers. In her motion dismissing the original lawsuit, she expressed doubt about the enforceability of the patents and questioned whether the amended complaint would be successful. However, she did allow Evolution to revise its claims, leaving the door open for further legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Light & Wonder has undergone significant changes. In February, the company announced plans to shut down its live dealer unit, the same division where the 88 Fortunes Blaze Live Roulette game was introduced. This restructuring decision may have implications for the company’s strategy moving forward, particularly in relation to its live gaming offerings.

As of now, Light & Wonder has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter, citing its policy of not addressing active litigation.

Source:

‘’Evolution refiles lawsuit against Light & Wonder with new game’’, SBC Americas. April 11, 2025.