Jumbo Technology, a Taiwanese company specialising in gaming hardware and software, has filed a lawsuit against Swedish giant Evolution Gaming Group, the world leader in live casino gaming. The target: Evolution’s famous Lightning series of games, accused of using technology patented by Jumbo in the United States without authorisation.
The case, filed in Delaware federal court, raises crucial questions about intellectual property in the gaming sector, where rapid innovation sometimes runs up against the limits of the law.
Background and legal issues
On 29 May 2025, Jumbo Technology, a Taiwanese company, filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Delaware. The issue? A US patent filed in 2017, relating to a ‘dynamic raised odds’ system, a technology that randomly modifies the odds of winning in a casino game to make it more exciting.
But what does this actually mean? The patent describes a system that punctually increases win multipliers, making the experience more dynamic and unpredictable.
Jumbo claims that Evolution is exploiting these random multipliers without a licence, thereby infringing the patent. They are said to be present in its popular Lightning series of games: Lightning Roulette, Lightning Baccarat, Lightning Dice, among others.
An attempted licence went unheeded
In 2024, Jumbo informed Evolution of the risk and offered a non-exclusive licence at a reasonable price. The offer was rejected by Evolution, but the offending games were still available in several American states.
Jumbo is therefore claiming financial compensation: damages, increased interest for wilful infringement and reimbursement of legal costs.
What are the implications of this case?
- Risk of precedent: If Jumbo wins, other players may be tempted to defend their patents on gaming technologies.
- Impact for Evolution: A costly conviction or licensing agreement could limit access to Lightning games in certain jurisdictions, with a potential impact on its sales.
- For Jumbo: A successful lawsuit would strengthen its market position, enhance the value of its patents and could stimulate demand for its licences.
By launching this action in the United States, Jumbo intends not only to ensure that its rights are respected, but also to point out that these technologies are protected and can be monetised. As for Evolution, faced with these accusations, it will have to choose between an amicable settlement or a long and risky legal battle.
The case is now before the Delaware District Court. It remains to be seen whether the use of random multipliers will lead to a new licensing standard… or to a strategic reversal by Evolution.
The other legal battle: Evolution vs Light & Wonder
This case comes at a time when Evolution is already involved in another legal action in the United States, this time against games supplier Light & Wonder. The Swedish group claims that certain games developed by its competitor (notably Roulette X and Power X) illegally reproduce the concept of its famous Lightning Roulette.According to Evolution’s allegations, Light & Wonder obtained privileged access to mathematical formulae and confidential data under the guise of a collaboration project which, in the end, never came to fruition. Shortly afterwards, Light & Wonder launched its own games based on similar principles, without any authorisation or licence.