After nearly four years of legal battles, a New Jersey court determined that game developer Playtech was the anonymous client behind a 2021 smear campaign against Evolution, who announced the development in a press release.
The campaign was operated by intelligence firm Black Cube, which was hired by Playtech in December 2020 for £1.8 million.
Key Takeaways
- Playtech was confirmed to be behind Black Cube’s 2021 defamatory report.
- Evolution claims it suffered billions in damages.
- The legal battle is likely to extend into 2026.
Black Cube’s report was filled with allegations of regulatory misconduct and was submitted to U.S. gaming regulators by law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky in November 2021. It prompted damaging publicity for Evolution, including a high-profile article in Bloomberg.
However, both the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board dismissed the claims early in 2024, citing no evidence of wrongdoing by Evolution.
In February 2025, a New Jersey Superior Court ruled the report was untruthful and that the defendants had disseminated false allegations. In September, Black Cube was ordered to disclose its client, and despite numerous appeals from the company, it was confirmed this month that Playtech was the originator of the campaign.
Deceptive tactics and false narratives
Black Cube agents allegedly pretended to be potential investors from Sudan and fictitious consulting firms, luring former Evolution staff members into recorded conversations by using disguises, alcohol, and covert payments, according to Next.io. Misleading soundbites were also used to create a false narrative.
Black Cube also allegedly paid New York public relations firm HeraldPR to help manage media leaks. Despite evidence of coordination, Playtech chief executive officer Mor Weizer evaded direct answers about the company’s involvement at a Q2 earnings call earlier this year.
Evolution CEO Martin Carlesund expressed his disbelief at the revelations, saying, “It takes away a large piece from my belief in fair play, humanity in general, and good ethics.”
In a statement to Next.io, Playtech denied it was part of a smear campaign. Playtech didn't mention Black Cube by name but said it "commissioned an independent business intelligence firm to investigate credible and repeated concerns." Nevertheless, the company’s shares fell 34% in Tuesday morning’s trading.
Meanwhile, Evolution, which initially filed suit in December 2021, is now adding Playtech as a defendant, and litigation is expected to continue into 2026.
Playtech pulls back in California amid broader industry pressure
Separately, Playtech confirmed to SBC Americas that it will no longer supply games to sweepstakes operators in California. The decision came before Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 831, which banned sweepstakes-style gambling.
While Playtech is not named in ongoing lawsuits concerning sweepstakes sites, its exit indicates mounting caution amid an unpredictable U.S. regulatory environment.
Playtech’s exit follows similar moves by Pragmatic Play and Evolution, which pulled their games from sweepstakes platform Stake.us following a lawsuit filed by the City of Los Angeles that accused the platform of illegal gambling operations.
A Playtech spokesperson stated the company would continue to review its market presence on a case-by-case basis.
