Poker Shuffler Monopoly Smashed In $315 Million Fraud Case

You may not have heard of Scientific Games Corp, but you are familiar with their product. They designed and manufacture Deck Mate – the automatic shuffler used at the WSOP.

In 2015 Scientific were the subject of wide-ranging accusations in court raised by rival company Shuffle Tech. Most of the accusations were dismissed apart from the attempt to “enforce patents known to be invalid and/or not infringed, all with the intent to directly interfere with and adversely affect the business operations of competitors.”

The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they went to trial in July this year and the verdict has come down the pipe. The jury ruled unanimously in favour of Shuffle Tech. Scientific were deemed to have made “baseless claims to enforce patents known to be invalid and/or not infringed, all with the intent to [...] unlawfully obtain and maintain monopolistic control over the U.S. market.”

These shady dealings go back to 2006 when Shuffle Tech designed a better cheaper shuffler but were pushed out the market by Scientific’s bullying in court over “fraudulent” patent claims.

On Thursday, Scientific Games Corp received their desserts: a fine of $105 million straight up – subject to potential tripling – and any fees and costs Shuffle Tech might have racked up.

Unsurprisingly for a company that just got slapped down for over-litigating, Scientific have announced they will be fighting the decision in a higher court.

I guess they felt the deck was stacked against them this time round.