Evolution moves to include Playtech in New Jersey defamation lawsuit

(AsiaGameHub) –   Swedish live casino provider Evolution AB has submitted a motion to the New Jersey Superior Court asking to modify an existing defamation lawsuit, adding competing gaming technology firm Playtech Plc and several linked individuals as defendants.

This action is rooted in claims that Playtech organized and financed a false, commercially driven smear campaign aimed at harming Evolution’s reputation and blocking its entry into the North American online gaming market.

Five years later

Evolution first launched the defamation case against U.S. law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and intelligence contractor Black Cube in late 2020. It is alleged that Playtech engaged Black Cube to investigate Evolution’s activities in prohibited and unlicensed markets.

The resulting report was later sent to regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, triggering scrutiny of Evolution’s operations.

However, both regulators ultimately found no evidence to support the report’s core allegations. The New Jersey Superior Court later described the document as “objectively baseless.”

In an October statement to iGB, Black Cube said it had “proudly submitted its findings in coordination with its client.”

Playtech also pushed back against Evolution’s claims, stating the investigation was conducted lawfully to address and verify “concerns of significant regulatory and commercial importance.”

If the proposed amendment is approved, it will implicate Playtech and Juda Engelmayer—a communications professional affiliated with HeraldPR—as key players behind the commissioning of Black Cube to prepare the report.

Breaking down the allegations

In its amended filing, Evolution makes several claims against Playtech and related parties. It alleges Playtech hired Black Cube to investigate Evolution and produced a report accusing the company of corporate misconduct, which Evolution describes as “preordained” and lacking evidentiary basis.

Evolution further claims Playtech purportedly agreed to pay substantial success fees—estimated by Evolution at around £1.5 million—contingent on Black Cube delivering results aligned with Playtech’s desired narrative. Playtech is also accused of hiding its involvement from investors and regulators while spending millions in legal fees to obscure its role in the affair.

Additionally, Evolution accuses Juda Engelmayer and his firm HeraldPR of facilitating the leak of the report to media outlets to maximize reputational damage.

Beyond defamation and trade libel, Evolution alleges fraud, racketeering, and the withholding of material information from shareholders.

Evolution has also claimed Black Cube used deceptive methods during its investigation, including covert recordings and false identities when engaging with former employees—actions that contribute to what it calls a misleading and defamatory narrative.

Evolution’s filings also point to Playtech’s history of regulatory scrutiny in Sweden in 2025 over compliance issues.

Playtech’s reaction

Playtech has publicly dismissed Evolution’s proposed legal amendment as “baseless and without merit.” The London-listed competitor stated it expected Evolution’s move following the latter’s public comments in October 2025.

Playtech stands by the commissioning of the investigative report and its findings, welcoming court and regulatory scrutiny while expressing confidence that discovery proceedings will validate the report’s credibility.

Furthermore, Playtech countered with its own accusations, suggesting Evolution aims to “avoid legitimate scrutiny” regarding claims of supplying operators in illegal or unsanctioned markets and supporting unlicensed operators within regulated jurisdictions.

Playtech has framed the investigation as a lawful response to “credible and repeated concerns” raised by operators, suppliers, and regulators about Evolution’s activities.

Industry implications

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the online gaming sector, particularly between two of the world’s largest B2B suppliers.

The controversy intersects with broader regulatory scrutiny. In the UK, the Gambling Commission launched a review of Evolution’s supplier licence in 2024 over concerns its games were accessible via unlicensed operators. This prompted the company to withdraw from certain grey markets and strengthen compliance controls, albeit at a financial cost.

The prolonged legal battle has also weighed on investor sentiment.

In October 2025, Playtech felt the immediate market impact as its share price plummeted between 25% and 38%. Evolution’s share price, by contrast, held steady or even rose slightly upon the release of its statement.

However, this latest development could affect share prices for both Evolution and Playtech. Back in November, Ben Robinson, managing partner at Corfai Capital told iGB: “From a share value perspective, both sides appear to have little to gain from letting this escalate.”

The complexity of aggregator networks and VPN usage makes preventing access from unregulated jurisdictions an extremely challenging task.

“Content from major suppliers, including both Evolution and Playtech, often appears through third-party aggregators. That doesn’t prove direct involvement; it reflects the increasingly fragmented nature of distribution,” he adds.

The Superior Court of New Jersey will now decide whether to allow the amended complaint to proceed.