Evolution adds Playtech to defamation lawsuit over alleged smear campaign

Summary

Evolution has amended its New Jersey defamation complaint to add Playtech, PR executive Juda Engelmayer and others, alleging a covert campaign designed to damage Evolution’s reputation and hinder its North American expansion. Evolution says Playtech hired private intelligence firm Black Cube to prepare and disseminate a report accusing Evolution of operating in sanctioned jurisdictions; the report, published in 2021, precipitated a sharp fall in Evolution’s market value.

The amended filing accuses Playtech of trade libel, fraud and racketeering, and claims Playtech’s CEO misled shareholders about the company’s role. Evolution points to evidence presented in depositions showing Black Cube had six-figure success fees tied to specific outcomes, including securing media coverage and prompting regulatory investigations. Regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania closed inquiries into Evolution in February 2024 without action.

Playtech has previously denied orchestrating a smear campaign, saying it lawfully commissioned business intelligence to verify concerns about Evolution’s activities. Black Cube has released further reports and recordings it says show Evolution games accessible in prohibited jurisdictions; Evolution contests the selection and context of those recordings and points to illegal copying and stream hijacking as alternative explanations.

Key Points

Evolution amended its New Jersey lawsuit (filed 2021) to add Playtech and others as defendants.
Evolution alleges Playtech hired Black Cube to create and publicise a defamatory report aimed at triggering regulatory action and revoking Evolution’s licences in the US.
The 2021 report led to a significant drop in Evolution’s market capitalisation after allegations of activity in sanctioned jurisdictions.
Allegations in the amended complaint include trade libel, fraud and racketeering; Evolution also accuses Playtech’s CEO of withholding information from investors.
Depositions revealed Black Cube engagement terms with success fees tied to predetermined outcomes, according to reporting cited by Evolution.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania regulators closed investigations into Evolution in February 2024 without taking corrective action.
Playtech maintains it acted lawfully to investigate credible concerns and denies running a smear campaign; litigation is ongoing.

Context and relevance

This dispute pits two major iGaming suppliers against each other and has broad implications for competition, compliance and reputational risk in the sector. If Evolution’s claims succeed, it could change how private intelligence is used in commercial rivalry and how such activities are scrutinised by regulators and investors. The case also matters for market confidence: the 2021 report materially impacted Evolution’s valuation, showing how reputational attacks — whether justified or not — can move markets and influence licensing outcomes.

Why should I read this?

Because it’s the kind of industry drama that actually matters — big names, legal teeth and potential rule changes on how firms investigate rivals. If you follow iGaming suppliers, regulation, investor risk or corporate PR, this tells you who’s fighting, why it mattered to the share price and what could change next. We’ve read the twists so you don’t have to.