Playtech Welcomes Addition to Evolution Defamation Lawsuit
Playtech now faces formal inclusion as a defendant in Evolution’s ongoing New Jersey defamation lawsuit, marking an escalation in one of the gaming industry’s most contentious legal battles. Evolution has filed an amended complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey seeking to add Playtech, PR executive Juda Engelmayer and others to a case that originated in 2021. The Playtech lawsuit Evolution is pursuing stems from allegations that the company arranged a covert campaign to damage its reputation through a report commissioned from private intelligence firm Black Cube. The effect was substantial. Evolution’s market cap fell by billions following the 2021 report, which accused the business of operating in prohibited markets. Shares plummeted from approximately SEK 1,440.00 to SEK 613.90 per share in the aftermath.
Evolution Adds Playtech to New Jersey Defamation Case
Evolution requested permission from the Superior Court of New Jersey to amend its complaint against Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and Black Cube, adding Playtech and PR executive Juda Engelmayer as defendants. The filing accuses Playtech of orchestrating a smear campaign to eliminate competition in the North American marketplace.
The amended complaint charges Playtech with trade libel, fraud, and racketeering. Court documents show that Playtech CEO Mor Weizer participated in preparing and disseminating the report while withholding information about his company’s involvement from shareholders. Evolution stated that Playtech paid Black Cube £1.8 million, with engagement letters including £1.5 million in success fees tied to predetermined outcomes.
The case dates back to December 2020 when Playtech began working with Black Cube. Both parties took extraordinary measures to conceal their roles nearly four years, hiding behind assertions of privilege and immunity. The New Jersey Superior Court ordered Black Cube to identify its client in September 2025 and branded the report as “objectively baseless”.
Playtech disputes the allegations. The company stated it stands by both the decision to commission the report and the validity of its findings. Playtech welcomes court and regulatory examination of the report and expresses confidence that proceedings will confirm the investigation’s credibility and legitimacy. The litigation is expected to extend through 2026.
Playtech Welcomes Court Scrutiny of Report Findings
Playtech dismissed Evolution’s accusations as baseless and without merit. The company issued statements affirming that it stands by the decision to commission the report and maintains confidence in the validity of its findings.
The supplier expressed eagerness for judicial review of the investigation. Playtech noted it welcomes court and regulatory examination of the report and views the proceedings as a chance to participate in the discovery process. The company stated it looks forward to questioning Evolution’s employees, executives and officers in court.
Playtech clarified that its subsidiary commissioned an independent business intelligence firm to break down concerns raised by operators, suppliers and regulators about Evolution’s activities in prohibited and sanctioned markets. The investigation focused on Evolution’s supply to unlicensed operators in regulated markets. Playtech says the probe was undertaken lawfully to understand and verify concerns of most important regulatory and commercial importance.
The report concluded that Evolution’s business practices undermine lawful and compliant gambling operations[52]. Playtech argued such conduct damages trust in the credibility of the entire industry and affects government tax collection.
Playtech expressed confidence that proceedings will confirm the credibility and legitimacy of the investigation, drawing on evidence it has gathered, including recent additional evidence. The company stated it will defend itself vigorously against all claims.
How the Corporate Espionage Allegations Unfolded
The allegations trace back to November 2021, at the time law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky submitted a report to regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania alleging Evolution operated in countries subject to US trade sanctions. Black Cube prepared the dossier. It accused Evolution executives of admitting in secret recordings that the company operated in prohibited markets including Iran, China, and Sudan.
Court filings later revealed Black Cube’s investigative methods. The firm’s agents used false identities and secretly recorded conversations without consent. Operatives posed as representatives of a Sudanese billionaire interested in investing in the Nordic tech sector. Black Cube founder Avi Yanus confirmed agents were veterans of Mossad and Israel’s counter-intelligence agency Shin Bet.
Deposition testimony disclosed the financial arrangements between Playtech and Black Cube. Two engagement letters outlined success fees tied to predetermined outcomes. The first letter, dated 30 December 2020, promised £150,000 for evidence of wrongdoing, £175,000 for media publication, £350,000 if a regulator opened an investigation, and £500,000 if Evolution lost a license. Playtech paid £675,000 in success fees after achieving the first three objectives.
Both the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board closed their investigations in February 2024 without taking corrective action.
