Light & Wonder has scored a smaller victory in its prolonged battle with competitor Aristocrat Technologies. As a court in Nevada issued a favorable ruling, shares in the former company experienced a spike.
Court Defends Light & Wonder from Aristocrat’s Demands
Aristocrat had previously sued its competitor for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets, forcing it to pull back one of its games. However, Light & Wonder has continued to stand its ground which has, in this case, paid off.
While the US District Court for the District of Nevada previously issued a preliminary injunction in which it forced Light & Wonder to shut down its Dragon Train games across the US, it has now defended the company from Aristocrat’s demands to access the math models behind its competitor’s games.
Aristocrat, which had previously argued that Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train games had misappropriated key trade secrets, asserted that accessing the math models would provide further clarity into the situation.
However, the US District Court for the District of Nevada has denied this motion, saying that Aristocrat must very clearly define the trade secrets it is willing to protect before making such a request.
The Battle Has Been Won But the War Continues
While this ruling is only a single victory in the broader battle against Aristocrat, it had an immediate positive effect on Light & Wonder’s stock. Shares soared, reaching $94.66 apiece shortly after the announcement. As of the time of this writing, the company’s shares are trading for $94.48 per share.
This development highlights continued shareholder trust in the company despite the ongoing legal challenges. This contrasts an earlier drop in Light & Wonder’s share price that followed Macquarie’s suggestion that Light & Wonder could face litigation by Aristocrat.
In any case, the true battle remains ahead. As the trial approaches, many analysts agree that there is still a significant chance that Light & Wonder will lose the war. The trial is scheduled for 2026 and will decide the Dragon Train matter for good.
In the meantime, Light & Wonder and Aristocrat representatives are set to meet and discuss the latest ruling, per the US District Court for the District of Nevada’s demand.
Light & Wonder’s Momentum Remains Strong
In other news, Light & Wonder continues to gain traction in Australia despite the lawsuit. JPM analysts recently expressed optimism about the company’s prospects in the country, considering its rapid expansion and many new installations.
On an unrelated note, the company just released The Wizard of Oz – Follow the Yellow Brick Road. This was notably the second entry in The Wizard of Oz series and followed the amazing success of the first game. Just like its predecessor, The Wizard of Oz – Follow the Yellow Brick Road will be exclusively available at BetMGM Casino in select markets.