Evolution Reignites Legal Battle against Light & Wonder

The legal dispute between Light & Wonder and Evolution has returned to the limelight as the Swedish live casino powerhouse seeks to broaden its previous patent infringement lawsuit. This development follows a new game release by Light & Wonder that Evolution claims directly rips off one of its signature offerings. Past precedent has seen courts side with Light & Wonder, though only after a protracted legal battle.

Evolution Returns Armed with New Patents

A recent Next.io report revealed that in a motion filed yesterday in the Nevada federal court, Evolution seeks to amend its previously dismissed complaint with two newly obtained patents and an additional defendant. The new filing targets Light & Wonder’s 88 Fortunes Blaze Live Roulette game, unveiled at the October 2024 G2E Global Gaming Expo.

Evolution alleges that Light & Wonder’s newest offering infringes upon the original “Haushalter patents,” covering systems for live-streamed gaming that use randomized multipliers. The Swedish company additionally claims its opponent’s title violated “Merati patents” obtained through Evolution’s 2024 acquisition of the hybrid gaming technology provider Uplay1.

The Merati portfolio, which focuses on hybrid server-based gaming systems, could prove vital to the revived lawsuit. Evolution’s lawyers contend that the 88 Fortunes Blaze game, which pairs a physical roulette wheel with electronic “lucky numbers” and payout multipliers, mirrors the identical mechanisms Evolution pioneered in its Lightning Roulette title.

Light & Wonder Must Navigate Rising Uncertainty

Evolution filed the original lawsuit in late 2023. However, the lengthy legal battle amounted to nothing, as the court dismissed Evolution’s claims in February 2025, ruling that the contentious patents were too abstract to warrant protection. However, a new set of patents and another alleged infringement case give Evolution hope that the outcome could be different.

The timing of this legal action is very unfortunate for Light & Wonder, as it adds to the company’s ongoing troubles. Subsidiary LNW Gaming recently announced the shutdown of its Michigan gaming center, affecting around 100 employees. This development followed a significant shift for the company as it revealed its full exit from the live-dealer iGaming space.

As Light & Wonder pivots its focus to other verticals like digital slots and platform technology, dealing with multiple lawsuits, especially from a market leader like Evolution, could complicate this transition. The court must now determine whether to allow Evolution to amend its complaint. If the case proceeds, it could become a landmark patent fight in the gaming industry with significant implications for the broader sector.