In a recent development, Evolution has taken steps to broaden its ongoing legal proceedings in the United States by naming Playtech as a defendant. The case centers around allegations that a coordinated campaign was launched to harm Evolution’s reputation through the dissemination of misleading claims.
The move comes as part of Evolution’s effort to strengthen its case in a dispute that has been active since late 2021, drawing renewed attention to the underlying legal process and the accusations now being directed at one of Europe’s leading gambling technology providers. The amended complaint, filed with the Superior Court of New Jersey, now includes Playtech alongside other entities such as Black Cube, law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, and additional parties that Evolution alleges were involved in spreading false information about its operations. The dispute is rooted in a report submitted to U.S. regulators, which questioned whether Evolution had accepted bets from prohibited jurisdictions.
According to Evolution, the recent filing seeks to formally incorporate Playtech into a case initially filed in December 2021. The company contends that Playtech played a role in commissioning and promoting the distribution of a report containing allegedly false claims regarding Evolution’s activities in the U.S. market.
Evolution states that the report was delivered in November 2021 to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, accompanied by a letter from legal counsel.
Over time, the scope of the allegations expanded, initially targeting unnamed parties and later including Black Cube. Playtech is now the latest entity that Evolution seeks to include in the legal proceedings.
A key aspect of Evolution’s case is the assertion that regulatory investigations triggered by the report did not result in enforcement actions. The company notes that U.S. authorities closed their investigations in February 2024, without pursuing any further action.
Additionally, Evolution references findings from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, which stated that: “no evidence … showing that Evolution took illegal bets from New Jersey, another state, or any other prohibited jurisdiction.” These findings are significant, as Evolution argues that the underlying claims were unfounded from the outset.
Evolution has highlighted court documents from 2025, which reportedly required the disclosure of the authorship behind the contentious report. The company further notes that the New Jersey court described the report as “objectively baseless.” Based on these proceedings, Evolution claims that Black Cube was ultimately compelled to identify Playtech as the party responsible for commissioning the report. In a public statement, Evolution expressed disappointment, stating: “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.”
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For the broader European iGaming industry, this case has implications beyond immediate market reactions. It sheds light on the potential for competitive conduct in highly regulated environments, especially when allegations are made to gaming regulators.
Both Evolution and Playtech are major B2B suppliers with extensive international operations, including in U.S. regulated jurisdictions. As the case in New Jersey unfolds, it is likely to attract close scrutiny from operators, suppliers, and compliance professionals as a potential test of how courts interpret third-party intelligence reports, regulatory referrals, and allegations of efforts to influence market positioning through legal and investigative tactics.
