Playtech and Evolution face off over smear campaign accusations

Playtech and Evolution face off over smear campaign accusations

Summary

Evolution has publicly accused Playtech (via its subsidiary Playtech Software Limited) of commissioning private intelligence firm Black Cube to produce a 2021 report that Evolution says was a “defamatory smear campaign” intended to damage its business for anti-competitive reasons.

The dispute centres on a Black Cube report that alleged Evolution operated in prohibited and sanctioned markets and supplied unlicensed operators. The report was submitted to US regulators in November 2021 by law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, triggering investigations and subsequent litigation.

New Jersey Superior Court rulings have described the report as lacking veracity and ordered disclosure of the client who commissioned Black Cube. Evolution has amended its lawsuit to include Playtech and Black Cube, alleging multi-billion pound damage. Playtech rejects the smear claim, says the investigation was lawful and in the public interest, and welcomes court scrutiny.

Key Points

• Evolution alleges Playtech paid Black Cube over £1.8m to create a report containing false, inflammatory claims about Evolution’s business practices.
• The 2021 report was submitted to US regulators (NJDGE and PGCB) by Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP; both regulators later closed their probes without action.
• New Jersey Superior Court found the report to be “objectively baseless” and ordered disclosure of the commissioning client; Black Cube attempted but failed to appeal.
• Evolution says the report used deceptive methods (false personas, covert recordings) and caused multi-billion dollar harm to its reputation and business.
• Playtech insists the investigation was lawful, responds that it commissioned the report to verify serious regulatory concerns, and welcomes judicial review.
• The litigation is ongoing and expected to continue through 2026, with Evolution amending its complaint to add Playtech and Black Cube.

Content summary

In December 2020 Playtech allegedly hired Black Cube to investigate Evolution. The resulting report, sent to US regulators in November 2021 by a law firm, accused Evolution of supplying operators in prohibited or unlicensed jurisdictions. Evolution sued the law firm and unnamed parties in New Jersey in December 2021 for defamation and related claims. Regulators later found no evidence warranting action and the New Jersey Superior Court judged the report to lack truth and ordered further disclosures.

Evolution claims concealment tactics by Playtech and Black Cube and says the leaked report inflicted significant financial and reputational damage. Playtech counters that it acted lawfully to investigate legitimate concerns raised by operators, suppliers and regulators, and says the report demonstrates Evolution undermining compliant gambling operations. Both firms have signalled readiness for protracted court proceedings.

Context and relevance

This dispute is significant for the iGaming sector because it involves two major suppliers, allegations of unethical investigative tactics, potential anti-competitive conduct and regulator engagement. The case highlights how third-party intelligence and law firms can amplify regulatory risk and reputational harm, and how courts are increasingly asked to arbitrate industry disputes.

Operators, regulators and suppliers should watch the litigation for implications on supplier conduct, vendor due diligence, use of private investigators and how evidence obtained via covert methods is treated by courts and regulators. The outcome may influence compliance practices, industry reputations and future regulatory reviews.

Why should I read this?

Short version: big names, serious allegations, and a court saying the report was “objectively baseless” — so if you work in iGaming, compliance, or supplier relationships, this could affect contracts, reputations and regulatory risk. We skimmed the legal drama and summed up the bits that matter — saves you the paperwork.

Source

Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/europe/playtech-evolution-smear-campaign-accusations/