Evolution has taken the next step in its ongoing US defamation lawsuit, all but confirming a legal battle with Playtech later in the year.
The company has named Playtech as a defendant in its lawsuit, alongside Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and Black Cube, in addition to adding Juda Engelmayer and others as defendants.
Evolution alleged that Playtech orchestrated a defamatory smear campaign against the company in an attempt to enter the North American market and eliminate competition.
The filing also accuses Playtech of ‘trade libel, fraud and racketeering, as well as withholding information about its conduct from shareholders despite Playtech Chief Executive Officer Mor Weizer‘s active participation in the preparation and dissemination of the defamatory report’.
iGaming Expert has reached out to Playtech for comment on its inclusion in Evolution’s ongoing US defamation lawsuit.
In October last year, Playtech subsidiary Playtech Software Limited was named by Evolution as accountable for commissioning Black Cube to investigate the provider’s activities in prohibited and sanctioned markets, as well as its supply to unlicensed operators in regulated markets.
At the time, Playtech stated that the smear campaign suggestion is “wholly untrue and is designed to distract from serious questions about Evolution’s business practices”, adding that it stands by its decision to commission the report and it welcomes a court examination.
Evolution adds Playtech to lawsuit
In its most recent statement, Evolution noted: “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.”
Evolution repeated the decisions made by two US state gaming regulators that the information uncovered in the investigation was deemed as lacking ‘evidentiary support’, adding that ‘amplification of the report by Engelmayer and other defendants continued to cause significant reputational and financial harm to Evolution’
“Any rationale Playtech offers for commissioning the defamatory report is belied by the £1.5m in success fees Playtech promised Black Cube if its investigation yielded the results Playtech sought and the extraordinary measures Playtech undertook to conceal its identity,” Evolution continued.
“Playtech and Black Cube continue to manufacture false allegations of purported misconduct throughout these legal proceedings, and we expect that to continue. It should not go unnoticed that Playtech currently operates or has operated in some of the very markets it accuses Evolution of operating in illegally.
“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.
“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 disputes Evolution claims
Playtech recently commented on the legal dispute with Evolution in its FY2025 financial report at the end of March, standing by its decision to commission Black Cube to analyse the business practices of Evolution and disputes any allegations of unlawful conduct.
In the notes section of its report, Playtech stated: “On 21 October 2025, Evolution AB publicly identified Playtech Software Limited, a subsidiary of the Group, as the commissioning party behind a 2021 report prepared by Black Cube, which has been referenced in ongoing US proceedings but not involving any Group entity.
“In addition, on the same date, Evolution AB publicly stated that it will amend its complaint to add Playtech Software Ltd to the lawsuit. However, as at the date of approval of these financial statements, Evolution has not requested the permission of the Court to add any Group entity to the New Jersey proceedings and no claim has been served on Playtech Plc, Playtech Software Limited or any other Group entity.
“The Group disputes any allegation of unlawful conduct. Given the early stage and the absence of any claim served on the Group, including any indication of the amount that may be claimed, this is considered a contingent liability only.”
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