Light & Wonder
A global gaming technology company supplying casino content, slot machines, table games, gaming systems, and digital platforms.
Last updated October 16, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Light & Wonder, Inc. is a United States-based gaming technology company serving land-based casinos, licensed online operators, gaming venues, and other regulated gambling businesses. The company is headquartered in Enterprise, Nevada, with a Las Vegas mailing address, and operates through a portfolio that includes Bally, WMS, Shuffle Master, OpenGaming, and other gaming technology and content brands. The business is the result of several generations of consolidation in lottery, pari-mutuel wagering, casino equipment, and digital gaming. Its historical roots include Automatic Totalisators Limited, founded in Australia in 1917 by George Julius to develop mechanical totalizator systems for race wagering. The company's United States operations later evolved into Autotote, which expanded beyond racing systems into lottery technology, off-track betting, and casino-related accounting and wagering systems. Autotote acquired Scientific Games Holdings in 2000 and adopted the Scientific Games name in 2001. Under Scientific Games, the company broadened its casino and gaming-technology footprint through acquisitions. It acquired The Global Draw and later Barcrest, strengthening its presence in betting-shop and server-based gaming markets. WMS Industries, a major slot-machine manufacturer, joined the company in 2013, followed by Bally Technologies in 2014. Those transactions brought established casino-machine brands, cabinets, game libraries, systems, and table-game capabilities into the group. The company also added DEQ Systems, a table-game specialist, and NYX Gaming Group, whose assets included OpenBet, a sports-betting platform. Scientific Games also developed digital and social-gaming activities. SciPlay was separated into a separately traded public company through a 2019 initial public offering in which Scientific Games retained a controlling interest at the time. The group obtained rights to use the James Bond brand for games in 2017 and acquired Authentic Gaming in 2021 to expand its live-casino offering. A major strategic change followed a period of substantial leverage. Beginning in 2020, Scientific Games reviewed its portfolio with the objective of reducing debt and concentrating on gaming. It agreed to sell its sports-betting business to Endeavor Group Holdings and its lottery business to Brookfield Business Partners. After the lottery business retained the Scientific Games name, the remaining casino and digital gaming company announced in 2022 that it would operate as Light & Wonder. The rebrand reflected the company's repositioning around gaming content, casino technology, systems, and digital distribution rather than lottery administration. Light & Wonder's current scope includes electronic gaming machines, casino management and content systems, table-game products, shuffling and card-handling equipment, online casino content, aggregation and distribution platforms, and selected charitable-gaming activities. Its products are supplied subject to the licensing, certification, and responsible-gambling requirements of the jurisdictions in which they operate. The company has also expanded through Playzido and, according to referenced company-history material, Grover Gaming, a charitable-gaming provider acquired in 2025. Its business is therefore best understood as a portfolio of casino hardware, software, content, platforms, and specialist gaming brands.
History
Light & Wonder's corporate lineage combines the histories of racing-wagering technology, lottery systems, casino equipment, and online gaming. The earliest identified predecessor is Automatic Totalisators Limited, established in Australia in 1917 by George Julius to manufacture totalizator systems for pari-mutuel wagering. Its United States office opened in New York in 1953, later relocating within Delaware. In 1978, the United States division became Autotote Ltd. as it diversified into lottery systems, off-track betting, slot-machine accounting, and related technologies. Autotote was acquired in 1979 by an investment group led by Thomas H. Lee. United Tote purchased the company in 1989, but federal antitrust concerns prevented the intended combination from being fully integrated. A 1991 court ruling required the operations to be separated. The remaining business returned to the Autotote name and became publicly traded. In 2000, Autotote purchased Scientific Games Holdings for $308 million. Scientific Games had been founded in 1973 and had introduced a secure instant lottery ticket in 1974. The combined company adopted the Scientific Games Corporation name in 2001. The Autotote racing business became a significant supplier of computerized wagering systems for on-track and off-track betting, race-result processing, ticket accounting, and simulcasting. In 2002, a software-related betting scandal involving the Breeders' Cup exposed weaknesses in controls surrounding the timing and recording of wagers. Industry bodies responded by requiring more immediate transmission of betting information and stronger recording capabilities for telephone wagers. Autotote's racing division was ultimately sold to Sportech in 2010, ending the direct continuation of that part of the original business within Scientific Games. Scientific Games expanded into gaming through a sequence of acquisitions. It acquired lottery operations associated with EssNet in 2006 and The Global Draw, a supplier of server-based gaming machines for United Kingdom betting shops. Barcrest, another British gaming business, was acquired from IGT in 2010. WMS Industries joined the group in 2013 for approximately $1.5 billion, adding a major slot-machine manufacturer and game portfolio. Bally Technologies was acquired in 2014 for approximately $3.3 billion plus assumed debt, bringing Bally's casino equipment, systems, and related intellectual property into the company. DEQ Systems was acquired in 2016 to strengthen table-game capabilities. The company also pursued digital and interactive growth. It obtained rights to use the James Bond franchise in 2017, acquired mobile-bingo developer Spicerack Media, and bought NYX Gaming Group for approximately $631 million. NYX brought OpenBet, an online sports-betting platform, into the group. SciPlay was launched as a separately traded social-gaming company through a 2019 initial public offering. Authentic Gaming, a live-casino provider, was acquired in 2021. By 2020, Scientific Games was undertaking a strategic review while carrying substantial debt. Management chose to sell the lottery and sports-betting businesses and concentrate the continuing company on casino gaming and digital gaming. The sports-betting division was agreed for sale to Endeavor Group Holdings in 2021, while the lottery business was agreed for sale to Brookfield Business Partners. Because the divested lottery company continued using the Scientific Games name, the remaining business rebranded as Light & Wonder in 2022. Light & Wonder subsequently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, acquired Playzido in 2022, and, according to the referenced company history, acquired Grover Gaming in 2025. The modern company is consequently focused on casino content, gaming machines, table products, systems, online distribution, and selected charitable-gaming activities.
- 2022
Scientific Games becomes Light & Wonder
[1]The continuing casino and digital gaming company adopted the Light & Wonder identity after the lottery divestiture.
- 2021
Sports-betting and lottery divestitures are agreed
[1]Scientific Games agreed to sell its sports-betting business to Endeavor and its lottery business to Brookfield.
- 2019
SciPlay becomes publicly traded
[1]The social-gaming division SciPlay conducted an initial public offering of a minority interest.
- 2017
James Bond licensing agreement is announced
[1]Scientific Games obtained rights to use the James Bond franchise through an agreement involving Eon Productions and MGM Interactive.
- 2014
Bally Technologies is acquired
[1]The acquisition added Bally casino machines, systems, and gaming technology to Scientific Games.
- 2013
WMS Industries is acquired
[1]Scientific Games acquired WMS Industries, expanding its slot-machine manufacturing and content portfolio.
- 2010
Racing division is sold to Sportech
[1]The racing division descended from the original Autotote business was sold to Sportech.
- 2001
Combined company adopts Scientific Games name
[1]The combined company changed its name from Autotote to Scientific Games Corporation.
- 2000
Autotote acquires Scientific Games Holdings
[1]Autotote purchased Scientific Games Holdings for $308 million.
- 1991
Court-ordered separation follows merger challenge
[1]A federal court ruling required the United Tote and Autotote operations to be separated.
Products and positioning
A global, content-led gaming technology supplier combining casino machines, table-game equipment, gaming systems, digital casino content, and distribution platforms for regulated markets.
Casino hardware and games
Electronic gaming machines
Light & Wonder supplies casino slot machines, cabinets, game themes, and associated hardware through brands including Bally and WMS. Its machine portfolio spans traditional reel-style products, video slots, linked-progressive games, and cabinet formats designed for casino floors in regulated markets.
Linked progressive slot games
Dragon Link
Dragon Link is a linked-progressive gaming franchise associated with Light & Wonder's casino-content portfolio. It combines themed video-slot play with shared jackpots and bonus features deployed across participating casino-machine installations.
Casino table games
Table games
The company provides casino table-game content and equipment, including products associated with its Shuffle Master and DEQ Systems heritage. The offering includes proprietary table games, electronic table-game formats, and equipment intended to support casino efficiency and game security.
Card-handling and table-game equipment
Shuffle Master equipment
Shuffle Master products include automated card shufflers and related table-game equipment used by casinos to improve dealing consistency, reduce manual handling, and support operational and security requirements.
Online gaming platform
OpenGaming
OpenGaming is a digital gaming platform and content-distribution service acquired through NYX Gaming Group. It is designed to aggregate and distribute online casino content to operators across regulated jurisdictions, connecting game suppliers, platform services, and licensed gaming businesses.
Gaming systems
Casino management systems
Light & Wonder supplies systems used by casinos to manage gaming floors, machines, player activity, accounting, reporting, and operational workflows. These systems complement the company's machine and content businesses and are deployed subject to jurisdictional approvals.
Digital casino games
Online casino content
The digital portfolio includes online slots, casino games, live-casino offerings, and content distributed through the company's digital platforms. Authentic Gaming strengthened the live-streamed casino component of this portfolio after its acquisition in 2021.
Controversies
2015
Patent infringement lawsuit against Bally Technologies dismissed
Scientific Games announced that a patent infringement lawsuit against its wholly owned subsidiary Bally Technologies had been dismissed with prejudice by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. The lawsuit had alleged infringement of patents related to electronic table games.
2002
Breeders' Cup betting software scandal
Chris Harn, a software developer associated with Autotote, attempted to exploit a weakness in the company's wagering software and procedures to obtain an illicit betting advantage connected with the 2002 Breeders' Cup. The incident generated scrutiny of tote-system security and led the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to require faster transmission of betting information and stronger recording controls.
Brand decisions
2022
Rebrand from Scientific Games to Light & WonderStrategyBackground
The Scientific Games name moved with the divested lottery business, leaving the continuing company focused on casino and digital gaming.
Action taken
The company introduced Light & Wonder as its corporate identity and repositioned itself around gaming content, machines, systems, table products, and digital distribution.
Aftermath
The rebrand marked the completion of a major portfolio transition away from lottery and sports betting.
2021
Sale of sports-betting business to EndeavorM&ABackground
The sports-betting business was part of Scientific Games' portfolio review and deleveraging plan.
Action taken
Scientific Games agreed to sell the sports-betting division to Endeavor Group Holdings.
Aftermath
The transaction supported the company's decision to focus on casino gaming and digital gaming rather than operate across lottery, sports betting, and casino technology.
Announced transaction value. $1.2 billion (2021 announcement)
2021
Sale of lottery business to BrookfieldM&ABackground
Scientific Games sought to reduce debt and separate its lottery operations from its casino and digital gaming businesses.
Action taken
The company agreed to sell the lottery division to Brookfield Business Partners.
Aftermath
The divested lottery business retained the Scientific Games name, while the continuing company adopted Light & Wonder.
Announced transaction value. $6.1 billion (2021 announcement)
2020
Strategic review to reduce leverage and refocus the portfolioStrategyBackground
Scientific Games faced substantial debt and began reviewing its business portfolio to improve its balance sheet and concentrate resources on gaming.
Action taken
The company chose to pursue sales of its lottery and sports-betting operations while retaining and developing casino gaming and digital gaming activities.
Aftermath
The divestitures changed the company's business mix and created the basis for the Light & Wonder identity.
Recent events
Scientific Games agrees to acquire Sideplay Entertainment[4]
Reported:
Scientific Games announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Sideplay Entertainment, subject to final regulatory approval. The announcement said the acquisition would expand its iLottery content portfolio.
- Unconfirmed
Scientific Games acquires Lightning Box[5]
Reported:
Scientific Games acquired Sydney-based content studio Lightning Box, adding the studio to its in-house game studios.
Scientific Games casino games debut on BetRivers.com in West Virginia[6]
Reported:
Scientific Games casino games debuted on BetRivers.com in West Virginia. The newly launched selection included 88 Fortunes, Endless Treasures Jin Ji Bao Xi, Bonanza Megaways, Chicken Fox, and Monopoly Megaways.
Rush Street Interactive partners with Scientific Games for West Virginia online casino games[6]
Reported:
Rush Street Interactive partnered with Scientific Games to premiere Scientific Games’ casino games on BetRivers.com, making RSI the first online casino operator in West Virginia to offer the company's games.
Scientific Games prices upsized $550 million notes offering[7]
Reported:
Scientific Games announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Scientific Games International, priced $550 million of senior unsecured notes at an issue price of 100.000%, increasing the offering from the previously announced $350 million.
Scientific Games appoints a new CFO[8]
Reported:
Scientific Games announced that Michael Eklund will become its new chief financial officer. Michael Quartieri will remain with the company until June 30 and then become a consultant.
Rush Street Interactive partners with Scientific Games in Pennsylvania[9]
Reported:
Rush Street Interactive partnered with Scientific Games to become the first online casino operator in Pennsylvania to offer Scientific Games titles on its BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com sites.
Scientific Games launches OpenGaming[10]
Reported:
Scientific Games unveiled OpenGaming, an end-to-end digital ecosystem that brings together gaming content, platform technology and features for operators.
Patent infringement lawsuit against Bally Technologies dismissed[3]
Reported:
Scientific Games announced that a patent infringement lawsuit against its wholly owned subsidiary Bally Technologies had been dismissed with prejudice by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. The lawsuit had alleged infringement of patents related to electronic table games.
Sources11 sources
- 1Light & Wonderen.wikipedia.org
- 2Light & Wonder official websitelnw.com
- 3Patent infringement lawsuit against Bally Technologies dismissedrttnews.com
- 4Scientific Games同意收购Sideplay Entertainmentprnewswire.com
- 5Scientific Games收购Lightning Boxinvestingnews.com
- 6Scientific Games赌场游戏在BetRivers.com西弗吉尼亚州平台上线prnewswire.com
- 7Scientific Games为扩大后的5.5亿美元票据发行定价prnewswire.com
- 8Scientific Games任命新首席财务官intergameonline.com
- 9Rush Street Interactive 与 Scientific Games 在宾夕法尼亚州开展合作cdcgaming.com
- 10Scientific Games 推出 OpenGamingprnewswire.com
- 11Scientific Games Appoints Connie James as Chief Financial Officerprnewswire.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/light-and-wonder · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled