Evolution has filed an amended complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey seeking to add Playtech, PR executive Juda Engelmayer and others as defendants in a defamation case that has been ongoing since 2021.
The move is the latest twist in the blockbuster corporate espionage lawsuit which captured the industry’s imagination last year after Playtech was revealed as the mystery entity which commissioned Black Cube to produce a report on Evolution’s alleged activities in prohibited markets, first reported by NEXT.io.
It follows Evolution’s market cap falling by billions in the aftermath of the 2021 report, which accused the business of operating in sanctioned jurisdictions including Iran, Sudan and China.
The months-long delay in the name being revealed and Playtech being added to case had led to some speculation about what the hold-up was, although Evolution’s position has long been that this would eventually take place.
The legal filing highlights that Playtech had named North America as a key strategic market in 2020, and that it was like Evolution a publicly listed online gaming B2B supplier with a live casino division.
Evolution alleges that Playtech hired intelligence firm Black Cube to produce and circulate a damaging report about its business practices with the aim of triggering regulatory action and ultimately having its gaming licences in New Jersey and Pennsylvania revoked.
An Evolution spokesperson said: “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 publicise a defamatory report designed to harm Evolution, all while misleading the market and lying to investors about its role.
“For nearly four years, Playtech spent millions of dollars in legal fees to conceal its involvement in this smear campaign and avoid accountability.”
For its part, Playtech responded to Evolution’s update by stating it has been anticipating this matter and that the company’s claims are “baseless and without merit”.
In an update issued today Playtech said: “As previously announced, Playtech stands by both the decision to commission the report at the centre 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.
“Playtech welcomes court and regulatory examination of the report and its findings and, importantly, the opportunity to be involved in the discovery process including to question Evolution’s employees, executives and officers in court. The company is very confident based on evidence it has, including recent additional evidence, that these proceedings will confirm the credibility and legitimacy of the report and the importance of the issues it seeks to address.
“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.”
iGaming supplier giants lock horns
Both the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board closed their investigations into Evolution in February 2024 without taking any corrective action, which was the basis for the court ordering Playtech’s name to be revealed.
The amended complaint also accuses Playtech of trade libel, fraud and racketeering, and alleges that Playtech chief executive Mor Weizer withheld information about his company’s involvement from shareholders.
This refers to a moment in Playtech’s Q2 2025 earnings call, when an analyst asked its CEO whether the business or any of its affiliates procured the report.
Weizer replied at the time: “Obviously, we can’t – it’s nothing – not a question for us. It’s a question for people involved in this matter.”
The company also pointed to a November 2025 deposition by Black Cube founder and director Avi Yanus, which revealed that Playtech’s engagement letters with the investigative firm included several six-figure success fees tied to pre-determined outcomes.
These included developing evidence of wrongdoing against Evolution, securing coverage in a major media outlet, and prompting a regulator to open an investigation.
Evolution added: “From its very inception, Playtech and Black Cube’s agreement outlined plans to concoct, disseminate, and publish a defamatory report about Evolution’s business in order to get regulators to open an investigation and ultimately revoke Evolution’s gaming licence.”
Evolution further noted that Playtech had itself faced regulatory scrutiny, adding: “Playtech was even sanctioned in 2025 for compliance lapses related to some of its operations in Sweden. These accusations should be seen for what they actually are: Playtech’s ongoing attempts to undermine competition by harming Evolution’s business and reputation.”
Evolution concluded: “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.”
Black Cube has released several follow-up reports into Evolution since the original document, which it argues show the supplier’s games continue to be available in prohibited jurisdictions.
These include secret recordings of current and former Evolution executives allegedly outlining how the business’ games made their way to countries like Iran, Sudan and China.
Additionally, the private intelligence agency has released videos of its agents accessing what appear to be Evolution games from Iran without the use of VPN.
Evolution has in turn said these recording are cherry-picked, that Black Cube ignored contrary evidence that the games are inaccessible, and that it also faces issues with illegal copying of its games and hijacking of video streams.
Dingnews.com 14/04/2026