Entain Group: Samuel Stoffel IP Infringement Lawsuit Advances, Copyright Claims Dismissed

• Online gambling entrepreneur Samuel Stoffel sold his matched betting platform, Outplayed, to Betconnect for £10 million in 2024. He is now the CEO of Subspot.
• In 2025, the Entain Group, a major global sports betting and gaming entity, initiated legal proceedings against matched betting platforms, including Outplayed, and Samuel Stoffel.
• The lawsuit alleged trademark and copyright infringement. While most copyright claims were dismissed by the UK High Court in September 2026, trademark claims remain active.
• This case highlights significant intellectual property risks for entrepreneurs and platforms in the online gambling sector.

This case highlights the significant IP litigation risks within the rapidly evolving online gambling sector, particularly for entrepreneurs and platforms involved in 'matched betting'.

Online gambling entrepreneur Samuel Stoffel, known for developing the matched betting platform Outplayed, completed a significant transaction in 2024. His creation was acquired by Betconnect for a reported sum of £10 million, marking a notable exit for Stoffel from the venture. Stoffel is currently the founder and CEO of Subspot, a SaaS platform for subscription commerce.

However, this substantial sale was soon followed by legal challenges. In 2025, the Entain Group, recognized as one of the world's largest sports betting and gaming groups operating across both online and retail sectors, initiated legal proceedings against matched betting platforms, including Outplayed, alleging trademark and copyright infringement. Samuel Stoffel was also named as a defendant.

While the legal dispute was commenced against "the new," a development that closely followed Stoffel's departure from Outplayed, the UK High Court has since dismissed most of Entain's copyright claims in September 2026. However, Entain's trademark infringement claims remain active and may proceed to trial, continuing to introduce a complex intellectual property dispute into the online gambling landscape and raising questions about the ongoing liabilities and rights associated with such platforms post-acquisition.

The Entain Group's decision to pursue legal action underscores the increasing scrutiny and protection of intellectual property within the highly competitive online gambling sector. As a global leader, Entain Group's involvement in an online gambling IP dispute signals a strong stance on safeguarding its proprietary assets against perceived infringement.

Trademark and copyright infringement claims are common in industries where brand recognition and unique content are paramount. In the context of a matched betting platform infringement, such as Outplayed, these claims could pertain to various elements, including branding, software code, user interface design, or unique methodologies developed by the platform. The timing of the lawsuit, shortly after the platform's acquisition, highlights potential complexities in due diligence and ongoing IP management for both sellers and buyers in the sector.

This case highlights the significant IP litigation risks within the rapidly evolving online gambling sector, particularly for entrepreneurs and platforms involved in 'matched betting'. The Samuel Stoffel Outplayed lawsuit, or rather the legal action surrounding his former platform, serves as a stark reminder that even after a successful exit, intellectual property issues can emerge, potentially impacting the legacy of the original creator and the new owners.

Legal counsel advising clients on mergers and acquisitions or IP strategy in this industry should scrutinize IP portfolios and potential infringement liabilities with extreme diligence. The involvement of a major player like Entain Group in an Entain Group Samuel Stoffel IP infringement scenario emphasizes the need for robust IP protection strategies and thorough legal reviews to mitigate risks associated with online gambling IP disputes, especially when dealing with established market leaders.

This case highlights the significant IP litigation risks within the rapidly evolving online gambling sector, particularly for entrepreneurs and platforms involved in 'matched betting'. Legal counsel advising clients on M&A or IP strategy in this industry should scrutinize IP portfolios and potential infringement liabilities, especially when dealing with established market leaders like Entain Group.

Source: Original reporting via industry sources