Evolution Lawsuits Evolution to Involve Playtech in Defamation Case

(AsiaGameHub) –   Evolution is intensifying its legal fight by seeking to add Playtech as a defendant in its existing defamation lawsuit filed in a New Jersey Superior Court.

The lawsuit initially named Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, the law firm that delivered a 2021 report to regulators accusing Evolution of operating in prohibited markets like China, Iran, and Sudan. This report was commissioned following Playtech’s hiring of the private intelligence agency Black Cube.

Subsequent inquiries by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board concluded without any punitive measures being taken against Evolution.

Evolution stated:

It remains deeply disappointing that a direct rival would resort to such extreme measures to engineer a secret campaign aimed at damaging our company and evading fair market competition. We are officially adding Playtech to our legal action because the evidence is unambiguous: Playtech engaged Black Cube to produce and disseminate a defamatory report intended to injure Evolution, all while deceiving the market and its investors about its involvement.

Evolution alleges that Playtech, which paid an estimated $2.4 million to Black Cube for the investigation, utilized the resulting report as a component of a broader plan to undermine Evolution’s standing in the U.S. market.

The revised legal filing now levels accusations at Playtech for trade libel, fraud, and racketeering. Furthermore, Evolution is requesting permission to expand its original complaint to name communications consultant Juda Engelmayer and other parties. Evolution further claims that Playtech’s CEO, Mor Weizer, failed to disclose necessary information to the company’s shareholders.

Evolution added:

We have full confidence in our stringent compliance protocols and are certain the facts support our position. We anticipate ensuring Playtech, Black Cube, and all those who assisted them are held responsible for the damage they have inflicted.

Playtech has denied the allegations, asserting that its conduct was proper.

Playtech said

As stated before, Playtech reaffirms its choice to commission the report central to Evolution’s allegations and stands by the accuracy of its conclusions. Evolution persists in trying to sidestep proper examination instead of confronting persistent concerns about its own behavior, such as its choice to provide services to operators in both illegal and sanctioned jurisdictions and to aid unlicensed operators in regulated markets.

Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Playtech is continuing to grow its North American operations. For 2025, Playtech announced a 71% revenue surge in the United States and Canada compared to the prior year, primarily driven by its partnerships with operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock, and Delaware North.

Playtech’s projected growth in North America is likely to receive a boost from the expected regulatory approval for online casino gaming in Maine.

The company added:

Playtech will mount a robust defense against Evolution’s accusations and remains committed to acting for the benefit of industry operators, suppliers, regulators, and its shareholders.