Newly-released legal filings in the Superior Court of New Jersey provide a more detailed picture of the defamation case filed by Evolution AB against Black Cube and Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP. Submitted on November 3, 2025, the documents formally identify Playtech Software Limited as the party that hired Black Cube to conduct a 2021 investigation that later prompted regulators to review Evolution — inquiries that ultimately found no wrongdoing.
The filings reveal that Playtech entered into a formal engagement with Black Cube on December 30, 2020. Under the agreement, Playtech approved an upfront payment of £400,000 and structured additional “success fees” around specific desired results. Those additional payments, according to the filings, covered £150,000 for uncovering alleged misconduct by Evolution, £175,000 for press placement in a major publication, £350,000 if a regulatory inquiry was launched, and a £500,000 payment if Evolution lost its license. A cap of £800,000 was placed on total success-based compensation.
Playtech’s then-Chief Financial Officer Andrew Smith signed the original engagement letter, though the filings note that he exited the company in 2022 and played no further part in the process after his departure.
Deposition testimony included in the court documents indicates that Playtech leadership subsequently oversaw the relationship. Black Cube founder and director Dr. Avi Yanus confirmed under oath that Chief Executive Officer Mor Weizer, Senior Vice President Daniel Polturak, Vice President of Business Development Uri Levy, and former Live Gaming CEO Edo Haitin remained involved in communications after the initial agreement was executed.
