Macau court dismisses patent claims on gaming firm

A Macau court has delivered a significant victory to Light & Wonder, dismissing long-standing patent claims from rival LT Game, a subsidiary of Paradise Entertainment. 

The Judicial Court of First Instance nullified two of LT Game’s key patents for electronic table games, which covered a baccarat jackpot system and gaming terminals. The court’s decision was based on the finding that the patents were obvious to industry professionals and lacked a sufficient inventive step, rendering them invalid.

The ruling is the latest development in a legal battle that began in 2009 and famously escalated at the 2012 G2E Asia trade show, where Macau customs officials covered machines belonging to Light & Wonder’s subsidiary, Shuffle Master. Citing its patents, LT Game had claimed a monopoly over Macau’s live dealer multi-game terminals and sought severe penalties, including equipment removal, contract terminations, and damages of US$15,000 per machine.

Ultimately, the court rejected all of LT Game’s claims, cancelled the patents’ registration and ordered the company to cover all legal costs, clearing Light & Wonder of the infringement allegations. 

Despite the comprehensive loss, the dispute may not be over. LT Game’s parent company, Paradise Entertainment has appealed the ruling, expressing continued confidence in the validity of its patents and its significant presence in the Macau market.