Shares of Playtech Plc fell more than 3% on Thursday after Evolution AB said it had asked a U.S. court to add Playtech as a defendant in an ongoing defamation lawsuit.
Evolution said it filed a motion with the Superior Court of New Jersey seeking to amend its complaint to include Playtech, along with Black Cube, Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and other unnamed parties. The filing alleges there was a coordinated campaign to spread defamatory claims about Evolution's business.
Allegations and company statement
Evolution accused Playtech of commissioning the intelligence firm Black Cube to produce and publicise a report that contained false assertions about Evolution's operations. The statement from Evolution said the material was then shared with regulators and media outlets.
“It continues to be disappointing that a direct competitor would go to such extreme lengths to orchestrate a covert campaign designed to harm our business and avoid competing fairly in the marketplace,” Evolution said in a statement.
The company also alleges trade libel, fraud and racketeering, and contends that Playtech failed to disclose its alleged involvement to shareholders despite what Evolution described as the participation of Playtech Chief Executive Mor Weizer.
Origins and legal history
The suit was originally filed in December 2021 in New Jersey, naming Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and unnamed parties allegedly behind the report. Evolution later added Black Cube as a defendant.
According to Evolution's account, the report was submitted in November 2021 to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, accompanied by a cover letter from the law firm. Evolution says U.S. regulators closed their inquiries in February 2024 without taking action.
Evolution cited findings by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement that there was "no evidence ... showing that Evolution took illegal bets from New Jersey, another state, or any other prohibited jurisdiction."
Court filings cited by Evolution indicate that in 2025 the New Jersey Superior Court ordered disclosure of who authored the report and later characterised the document as "objectively baseless." Evolution says Black Cube was ultimately required to identify Playtech as the party that commissioned the report.
Current status
The amended complaint seeking to add Playtech and others is part of the case that has been active since December 2021. Evolution says the litigation remains ongoing in New Jersey.
Key points
- Evolution has asked the Superior Court of New Jersey to amend a December 2021 defamation suit to name Playtech, Black Cube and Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP.
- Evolution alleges Playtech commissioned a report with false claims that was shared with regulators and media; U.S. regulators closed probes in February 2024 without action.
- New Jersey court filings in 2025 ordered disclosure of the report's authorship and described the report as "objectively baseless."
Risks and uncertainties
- Ongoing litigation - The case remains active in New Jersey and further legal developments could affect the parties involved.
- Reputational and shareholder disclosure concerns - Evolution alleges Playtech failed to disclose its alleged role to shareholders, a claim that raises governance and reputational questions for the company.
- Regulatory perception - Although U.S. regulators closed their inquiries without action in February 2024, the historical submissions and subsequent court characterisations of the report may continue to attract regulatory and market scrutiny.
This reporting is based on the statements and court filings referenced by Evolution and reflects information that Evolution has presented about the litigation. The legal action and claims remain subject to the court process.