Evolution Moves To Add Playtech As Defendant In Ongoing US Defamation Case

Evolution has taken a further step in its ongoing legal battle in the United States, seeking to add Playtech as a defendant in its defamation lawsuit filed in New Jersey.

The move expands a case that has been developing since 2021 and centers on allegations that a coordinated campaign was carried out to damage Evolution’s reputation and position in the North American market.

Evolution Seeks To Expand Lawsuit

The company has filed a request with the Superior Court of New Jersey to amend its complaint, formally naming Playtech alongside previously identified parties, including law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky and intelligence firm Black Cube.

Evolution alleges that Playtech played a central role in commissioning and distributing a report that contained false claims about its operations. According to the filing, the report was shared with regulators and media outlets in an effort to trigger investigations and harm the company’s business.

The amended complaint includes accusations of defamation, trade libel, fraud, and racketeering, while also alleging that Playtech failed to disclose its involvement to shareholders.

Allegations Of A Coordinated Campaign

At the core of the dispute is a 2021 report that raised concerns about Evolution’s activities in certain markets.

Evolution claims the report was part of a broader effort orchestrated by Playtech to influence regulators and disrupt competition in North America. The company alleges that Playtech engaged Black Cube to produce and promote the material, which it describes as misleading and lacking evidence.

The filing also references financial arrangements tied to the investigation, including payments linked to specific outcomes such as media exposure and regulatory scrutiny.

Regulatory Findings And Court Developments

US regulators reviewed the allegations contained in the report and ultimately closed their investigations in 2024 without taking action against Evolution.

According to findings cited in court filings, regulators reported no evidence of illegal activity tied to Evolution’s operations in the jurisdictions examined.

Subsequent legal proceedings also addressed the credibility of the report, with court documents describing it as lacking sufficient evidentiary support.

These developments have become a key part of Evolution’s argument as it seeks to expand the scope of the lawsuit.

Playtech Denies Allegations

Playtech has previously rejected claims that it orchestrated a smear campaign.

The company has stated that any investigation it commissioned was based on concerns raised within the industry and maintains that its actions were lawful. It has also indicated that it welcomes further legal scrutiny of the matter.

The dispute is expected to continue through the courts, with both sides presenting conflicting interpretations of the events surrounding the 2021 report.

A High-Stakes Legal Battle In iGaming

The case has drawn attention across the iGaming industry due to the scale of the companies involved and the nature of the allegations.

Both Evolution and Playtech are major players in the global online gaming market, with North America representing a key area of growth.

As the lawsuit develops, the outcome could have broader implications for competition, regulation, and corporate conduct within the sector.

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