USPTO rejects all IGT patent claims against Acres in key ruling

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has ruled in favor of casino loyalty and technology developer Acres in its patent dispute with International Game Technology (IGT).

In 2021, IGT accused Acres' new Foundation casino management system (CMS) of infringing on at least four patents out of a larger pool of over 200 assimilated patents pertaining to cashless wagering, notes Acres. The CMS provides casinos with real-time data from slot machines and a direct interface to the credit meter on any machine. 

IGT also demanded Acres to pay royalties, which the company says would have dramatically increased the price casinos pay for Foundation. In response, Acres submitted prior art evidence to the USPTO and requested a re-examination of the four patents.

According to a statement from Acres, the USPTO has rejected each claim asserted by IGT against the company following a thorough review of the four patents.

"Foundation provides operators with a wide range of new, unprecedented capabilities," said John Acres. "Presuming the findings from the USPTO stand—which I believe is highly probable—all claims of infringement against Foundation will be dismissed and Foundation pricing will not increase, delivering a win for Acres and for our casino customers. In my opinion, these patents should never have been asserted against us."

John Acres is the founder of Acres 4.0. He previously founded Electronic Display Technology, Mikohn Gaming and Acres Gaming. He is also the founder of the Gaming Standards Association, a named inventor on over 250 patents and was inducted into the American Gaming Association's Hall of Fame in 2016.