Evolution Moves to Add Playtech to US Lawsuit

Evolution AB has taken steps to expand its ongoing legal battle in the United States, seeking to include Playtech Plc and several associated individuals in a defamation case currently before the Superior Court of New Jersey. The Swedish live casino supplier claims the rival firm played a central role in a coordinated effort to harm its reputation and limit its growth in North America.

The request to amend the lawsuit builds on a case first filed in late 2020. Evolution initially targeted US-based law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and intelligence contractor Black Cube, alleging their involvement in producing and distributing a report that questioned the company’s business practices. The document was later submitted to regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, prompting official scrutiny.

Regulators in both states ultimately found no evidence to support the report’s core claims. The New Jersey Superior Court later described the document as “objectively baseless,” a characterization that has remained central to Evolution’s legal arguments.

According to Evolution’s latest filing, Playtech commissioned Black Cube to investigate its operations, with the intention of producing findings that would support allegations of misconduct. The company claims the outcome of the investigation was predetermined and lacked credible evidence.

Evolution further alleges that Playtech agreed to pay substantial success fees tied to the report’s conclusions, estimating the amount at approximately £1.5 million. The filing also accuses Playtech of concealing its involvement from regulators and investors while committing significant financial resources to legal efforts aimed at masking its role.

In addition to naming Playtech, Evolution’s proposed amendment includes Juda Engelmayer, a communications professional linked to HeraldPR. The filing claims that Engelmayer and his firm played a role in distributing the report to media outlets, amplifying its impact and contributing to reputational damage.

The allegations extend beyond defamation and trade libel. Evolution has also cited claims of fraud, racketeering, and failure to disclose material information to shareholders. The company further contends that Black Cube used deceptive practices during its investigation, including covert recordings and false identities when interacting with former employees.

Playtech has strongly disputed Evolution’s claims, describing the proposed amendment as “baseless and without merit.” The company indicated it anticipated the legal move following earlier public statements made by Evolution in October 2025.

In its response, Playtech defended its decision to commission the investigation, stating it was conducted lawfully to examine what it described as significant regulatory and commercial concerns. The company has expressed confidence that further legal proceedings will support the credibility of the report and its findings.

Playtech also pushed back against Evolution’s broader narrative, suggesting the lawsuit is an attempt to deflect attention from ongoing scrutiny. The firm argued that concerns about Evolution’s activities in unlicensed or restricted markets had been raised repeatedly by industry stakeholders, including operators and regulators.

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The dispute between the two companies highlights tensions within the online gaming sector, particularly among major business-to-business suppliers competing across regulated markets. The case also intersects with regulatory developments beyond the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the Gambling Commission launched a review of Evolution’s supplier license in 2024 after concerns emerged about its games being accessible through unlicensed operators. Evolution responded by withdrawing from certain grey markets and tightening compliance measures, a shift that carried financial implications.

The legal battle has also influenced market performance. Following developments in October 2025, Playtech’s share price fell sharply, dropping between 25% and 38%. Evolution’s shares, meanwhile, remained stable or showed slight gains after the company issued its statements.

Analysts have raised questions about the potential financial impact of prolonging the dispute. Ben Robinson, managing partner at Corfai Capital, noted in November that “from a share value perspective, both sides appear to have little to gain from letting this escalate.”

Industry dynamics add further complexity to the situation. The widespread use of third-party aggregators and virtual private networks has made it more difficult for suppliers to fully control where their content appears. As Robinson explained, “Content from major suppliers, including both Evolution and Playtech, often appears through third-party aggregators. That doesn’t prove direct involvement; it reflects the increasingly fragmented nature of distribution,” he adds.

The Superior Court of New Jersey will now determine whether Evolution’s request to amend the complaint will be approved. That decision will shape the next phase of a case that has already spanned several years and could carry broader implications for the online gaming industry.

Source:

“Evolution seeks to add Playtech to New Jersey defamation suit“, igamingbusiness.com, April 10, 2026.