Scientific Games International has filed suit in U.S. District Court in Georgia against a former vice president who the lottery and machine gaming giant claims stole valuable company secrets before quitting to join rival International Game Technology.
SciGames International, a subsidiary of Nevada-based Scientific Games Corp. with offices in Alpharetta, Georgia, claims that Brian Keith Cash orchestrated a “massive theft” of thousands of computer files over a two-month period before leaving on June 10 to take a position with IGT in Lakeland, Florida.
The alleged haul totaled more than 13,000 files that included at least 40 account plans for various state lotteries, said SciGames, whose clients include 46 domestic and 60 international lotteries.
SciGames International wants the court to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent use of the data.
“The information contained in Scientific Games’ account plans is a virtual playbook of the company’s business strategy with respect to its existing customers and growing their lottery business,” the lawsuit states. In the hands of any competitor, the documents “would provide a roadmap for stealing away the company’s existing business” and also sap new business opportunities.
With new contracts coming up with major lotteries in 2017 and early 2018, “The revenue opportunity could be in excess of $1 billion dollars,” the suit adds.
There is no indication in the filings that IGT had any knowledge the alleged thefts, according to news reports.
The Associated Press said last week that Cash had not immediately returned a request for comment.
