Dragon Train Slot Lawsuit — What’s Going On?

“Dragon Train” is a popular slot machine game made by Light & Wonder (L&W). In 2024, major gaming company Aristocrat Technologies sued L&W, claiming that Dragon Train copies key parts of Aristocrat’s “Dragon Link” slot games — not just superficially, but down to trade secrets, game math, visuals, and more. The result? A high-stakes legal fight over intellectual property, with real-world impacts: removal of machines, replacement games, and big reputational risk.

Who Are the Players?

• Aristocrat Technologies: A giant in the casino slot-machine world, originally Australian, with deep IP in “dragon-themed” games like Dragon Link.
• Light & Wonder (L&W): A U.S.-based (Las Vegas area) gaming company that makes slot machines including Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon.

What Aristocrat Is Alleging (Their Claims)

In its 2024 complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada, Aristocrat said:

• L&W misappropriated its trade secrets, specifically the mathematical models and internal documents that powered Aristocrat’s Dragon Link.
• L&W’s Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games infringe Aristocrat’s copyright and trade dress (the look and feel of the game).
• There are unfair competition and deceptive trade practices involved.
• The lawsuit points to several former Aristocrat employees (including designers) now working for L&W, claiming they brought inside knowledge over.

Court Rulings So Far & Key Developments

1. Preliminary Injunction (U.S.)
   • On September 23, 2024, a Nevada judge granted a preliminary injunction in favor of Aristocrat.
   • This means L&W was ordered to stop further sales, leasing, or distribution of the Dragon Train game in the U.S. under the court’s order.
   • As a result, L&W complied and began converting or removing existing Dragon Train units.
2. Motion to Dismiss
   • L&W filed a motion to dismiss some of Aristocrat’s claims. According to its own filings, parts of the complaint were granted and parts were denied by the court.
   • According to L&W’s public statement, they strongly dispute the misappropriation claims and intend to continue defending.
3. Jewel of the Dragon
   • In March 2025, Aristocrat amended its complaint to add trade secret claims specifically against L&W’s Jewel of the Dragon game.
   • Following this, Light & Wonder said it would voluntarily stop commercializing the Jewel of the Dragon slot and work on a replacement.
4. International Angle — Australia
   • Aristocrat also tried to block Dragon Train in Australia. But in February 2025, the Federal Court of Australia denied an injunction request.
   • That means, for now, Dragon Train remains legally allowed on Australian casino floors.

Why This Lawsuit Matters — Big Picture Implications

• Intellectual Property in Gaming: This is a big deal in the slot-machine industry. Game math, pay tables, and bonus mechanics are closely guarded. If L&W is found to have used Aristocrat’s secret math, it could be a major win for IP protection in gaming.
• Risk for Slot Developers: For emerging or smaller slot developers, it’s a warning: poaching talent and developing “similar” games can lead to serious legal risk.
• Casino Operators: Casinos that had installed Dragon Train machines are directly affected. With the injunction, machines had to be removed or converted, which is operationally disruptive.
• Player Impact: If certain versions of the game are pulled or replaced, regular players of Dragon Train may see it disappear, or be replaced with a “cleaner” version.
• Corporate Reputation: Light & Wonder’s brand is at stake. While it’s defending strongly, the lawsuit could influence customer trust, partnerships, and future game releases.
• Precedent: If Aristocrat wins, it could set a precedent that copy-style slot machines (even from former employees) may constitute IP theft. That could chill aggressive competition or force more careful innovation.

What Light & Wonder Is Saying

• L&W strongly denies wrongdoing. They argue that Aristocrat’s claims are overblown, and that the development of Dragon Train was independent.
• According to L&W, they have instituted internal reviews to ensure their replacement games (for example, a new Dragon Train version and other titles) do not use Aristocrat’s claimed trade secrets.
• They also mentioned that in making replacements, they followed a process to review game math and designs to avoid infringing alleged secrets.

Possible Outcomes & What to Watch Next

Here are some ways this lawsuit could play out:

• Settlement: L&W and Aristocrat may reach a deal: L&W could pay damages, change the games, or license some mechanisms.
• Trial: If it goes all the way, a full trial could decide on trade secret misappropriation, calculate damages, and issue a permanent injunction.
• Replacement Games: L&W is already working to replace Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon, potentially with versions that don’t use the contested math or design.
• Appeals: Either side could appeal injunction or dismissal rulings.
• Industry Ripple Effects: Other slot makers will be watching closely — the result could influence how freely game mechanics are copied or “inspired” by others.

Bottom Line — What This Means for You

• If you’re a casino operator, this case is serious: removed machines mean revenue impact, and newly launched versions could require investment.
• If you’re a slot-game developer, it’s a reminder: make sure your IP strategy is rock solid, especially when hiring from competitors or building on “similar” game ideas.
• If you play casino slots, you might see Dragon Train vanish or change. This could be a chance to try the “old” version while it’s still around, or to follow the new version when it launches.
• If you’re an investor in gaming companies, this case is one to watch: it could affect L&W’s future releases, legal risk, and bottom line.