Lawsuit filed over slot operating platform

Monday, April 9, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

A Las Vegas company that develops and manufactures high-tech slot machines has filed suit against Shuffle Master Inc., saying the company misappropriated a proprietary gaming machine operating platform.

Innovative Gaming Corp., which last year relocated its corporate headquarters to Las Vegas from Reno and continues to manufacture machines in Northern Nevada, filed the suit in Washoe County District Court.

Innovative Gaming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roland Thomas said today Shuffle Master illegally used his company's Linux and Java gaming machine platforms.

"We are compelled to vigorously pursue any violation of the company's proprietary rights to this system, to protect our assets and preserve our ability to distribute the system and to offer royalty-based licenses to others that choose to incorporate this revolutionary application in their own products," Thomas said.

Thomas said his company released the Linux-based system, which helps display graphics and advertisements on machines, in 1998. He said the company had signed nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements with Shuffle Master in 1999 when the companies were considering business ventures. Thomas said Shuffle Master then released a system similar to the Innovative Gaming system.

Brooke Dunn, a Las Vegas spokesman for Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Shuffle Master, said his company first heard of the suit when contacted by a reporter.

"No one from their company has contacted us about their complaints," Dunn said. "I think this (through the media) is a strange way for them to contact us."