Hongkong-listed gaming device maker Paradise Entertainment Ltd. has shot down Scientific Games Corp’s (SGC) claim that the court has given a go-signal to sell its products in the Macau market.
Paradise and SHFL Entertainment (Asia) Ltd., a division of Bally Technologies, which is itself owned by Scientific Games, have long been entangled in a dispute over patent claims on a multi-player, live-dealer electronic table game (ETG). The fight, which dates back to 2012, was waged not only in the courts, but also on the floor of local gaming conventions, including G2E Asia.
Derik Mooberry, executive vice president and group chief executive of gaming at SGC, recently rubbed salt on Paradise’s old wounds when he announced to the guests of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2016 that the courts ruled in SGC’s favor over the right to sell any electronic table game (ETG) in the Macau market.
In response, Paradise refuted Mooberry’s claim and insisted that the Macau court had not yet handed down any verdict allowing SHFL Entertainment to deploy ETGs in Macau.
“No decision was granted by the Macau Courts in favor of Scientific Games Corp./SHFL regarding the right to sell any electronic table game in the Macau market,” Paradise said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Friday. “In fact, such a legal dispute, involving Mr. Jay Chun, Natural Noble Limited and LT Game Limited, on the Plaintiff’s side, and SHFL Entertainment (Asia) Limited on the Defendant’s side, is pending trial and, therefore, is pending decision.”
Paradise also noted that the case filed by SHFL against the ETG firm, Chun, and Lt. Game for infringing the rules of fair competition was dismissed by the court in early May.
“The aforesaid entities and/ or individuals continue to defend their rights conferred by two patents registered in the Macau Special Administrative Region, which include the exclusive rights of its use and therefore the right to prevent any use by a third party in infringement of the invention patented,” Paradise said in a statement.
