Evolution is escalating its legal battle by moving to include Playtech as a defendant in its ongoing defamation case in a New Jersey Superior Court.
The case originally targets Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, which submitted a report to regulators in 2021 alleging that Evolution operated in restricted markets, including China, Iran, and Sudan. The report had been commissioned after Playtech engaged private intelligence firm Black Cube.
Investigations launched by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ultimately resulted in no enforcement action against Evolution.
Evolution stated:
It continues to be disappointing that a direct competitor would go to such extreme lengths to orchestrate a covert campaign designed to harm our business and avoid competing fairly in the marketplace. We are formally naming Playtech in our lawsuit because the facts are clear: Playtech hired Black Cube to create and publicize a defamatory report designed to harm Evolution, all while misleading the market and lying to investors about its role.
Paying a reported $2.4 million to Black Cube for its investigation, Playtech has been alleged by Evolution to have made use of this report as part of its overall strategy to damage its market position in the U.S.
The amended complaint now contains allegations against Playtech regarding trade libel, fraud, and racketeering. Additionally, Evolution is seeking to amend its original complaint to include Juda Engelmayer, a communications consultant, and other defendants. Evolution also alleges that Mor Weizer, the CEO of Playtech, withheld information from Playtech’s shareholders that he should have provided.
Evolution added:
We are confident in our rigorous compliance policies and practices, and that the facts in this case are on our side. We look forward to holding Playtech, Black Cube, and all their accomplices accountable for the harm they have caused.
Playtech has rejected the claims, maintaining that its actions were justified.
Playtech said
As previously announced, Playtech stands by both the decision to commission the report at the center of Evolution’s claims and the validity of its findings. Evolution continues to seek to avoid legitimate scrutiny rather than addressing longstanding questions about its own conduct, including its decision to supply operators in both illegal and sanctioned markets and to support unlicensed operators in regulated markets.
In spite of the litigation between the parties, Playtech continues to expand its business in North America. For 2025, Playtech reported a 71 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period across the United States and Canada, due in large part to its relationships with such operators as DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock, and Delaware North.
Playtech’s anticipated expansion in North America is expected to be enhanced by the state’s anticipated approval of the introduction of online casino gaming in Maine.
The company added:
Playtech will defend itself vigorously against Evolution’s claims and will continue to act in the best interests of industry operators, suppliers and regulators as well as its shareholders.
