Evolution has suffered a procedural setback in its ongoing U.S. legal battle after a New Jersey court rejected the company's attempt to expand its defamation lawsuit to include Playtech as a defendant.

Judge John Porto of the Superior Court of New Jersey in Atlantic County issued an order on June 5 denying Evolution's motion for permission to file a second amended complaint. The court also rejected the company's request to lift a stay imposed under New Jersey's Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), the state's anti-SLAPP law. Both rulings were issued without prejudice, meaning Evolution may seek the same relief again later in the proceedings.

The lawsuit centers on allegations made in a 2021 report that claimed Evolution conducted business in prohibited jurisdictions, including China, Iran, and Sudan. The report became the basis of a regulatory complaint that ultimately triggered an investigation by New Jersey gaming authorities.

Attempt to Expand Case Falls Short

Evolution sought to bring Playtech into the case through a motion filed in April. The company argued that Playtech played a key role in commissioning and promoting the report that it says damaged its reputation and harmed its competitive standing in North America.

The dispute began when law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky submitted a complaint to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement in 2021 on behalf of an undisclosed client. The complaint relied on findings contained in a report prepared by private intelligence firm Black Cube.

According to Evolution, the report contained false information and caused significant damage to the company's market position. The supplier later filed suit against Calcagni & Kanefsky, alleging that the report was “inaccurate, false, defamatory, and methodologically flawed.”

The controversy had a major financial impact on Evolution. Following the publication of the allegations and the resulting regulatory scrutiny, the company lost more than $3 billion in market value.

For several years, the identity of the client behind the Black Cube investigation remained unknown. Court filings made public in 2025 later identified Playtech as the party that had hired Black Cube to investigate Evolution and produce the report.

After Playtech's involvement became known, Evolution moved to add the company to the lawsuit. The proposed amended complaint reportedly included claims of trade libel, fraud, and racketeering. Evolution also linked Playtech Chief Executive Officer Mor Weizer to statements made to investors regarding the matter.

The company has maintained that the arrangements surrounding the report reflected an organized effort to harm a competitor and encourage regulatory action against it.

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Playtech Rejects Allegations

Playtech has consistently disputed Evolution's accusations. The company has described the claims as unfounded and has defended both its decision to commission the investigation and the conclusions reached in the report.

While the court denied Evolution's request to amend its complaint, the ruling does not permanently remove the possibility of Playtech becoming a defendant in the future. Because the motion was denied without prejudice, Evolution retains the option to renew its request if circumstances change during the litigation.

The June 5 order did not provide a detailed explanation for the court's decision. However, reports citing individuals familiar with New Jersey legal procedures indicated that the ruling was tied to ongoing proceedings under the state's anti-SLAPP framework.

Source:

“Evolution Denied Bid to Add Playtech to Defamation Lawsuit“, gamblinginsider.com, June 17, 2026.