Ainsworth Game Technology (AGT) will pay Aristocrat AU$8.5 million ($6.0 million) under a 3.5-year patent license agreement covering gaming features in Australia, including Aristocrat’s Hold & Spin portfolio.
The agreement, which took effect immediately, also settles and releases both companies from potential claims relating to their historical use of the licensed patents.
Aristocrat granted Ainsworth a non-exclusive, non-transferable license covering its Australian gameplay feature patents. The license allows Ainsworth to incorporate the features into its branded electronic gaming machines and online and mobile games in Australia.
Ainsworth’s customers, distributors and gaming venues will also have pass-through rights to use, operate, service and resell products supplied during the agreement.
In return, Ainsworth granted Aristocrat a non-exclusive, non-transferable license covering all Ainsworth patents used in Aristocrat-branded products in Australia.
Both suppliers also agreed not to challenge each other’s licensed patents.
Ainsworth CEO Ryan Comstock said the agreement provided the company with the certainty needed to implement its Australian growth plans.
“The Agreement primarily covers game features including the Aristocrat Hold & Spin family and ensures we can incorporate these features when we make, sell, service, upgrade and convert Ainsworth branded electronic game machines and Ainsworth branded online and mobile games in Australia,” Comstock said.
Ainsworth also secured a royalty-free license for Aristocrat’s Australian responsible gaming patents. These cover technologies including digital wallets, account-based play, player limits, self-exclusion, player messaging and AI-based risk detection.
The responsible gaming license will remain valid until each patent expires, extending beyond the 3.5-year term of the broader agreement.
The arrangement followed negotiations prompted by Aristocrat’s successful 2025 Federal Court case against Australia’s Commissioner of Patents concerning its game-feature patents.
