Playtech Escapes Evolution’s Defamation Case — For Now
A New Jersey Superior Court judge has turned down Evolution AB’s request to add Playtech as a defendant in its long-running defamation lawsuit, according to reporting by Casino.org citing NEXT.io. The decision appears to be procedural rather than a verdict on the merits, meaning Playtech is not yet out of the woods.
Background: A Report That Wiped Billions Off Evolution’s Value
Evolution launched its lawsuit in November 2021, targeting Israeli intelligence firm Black Cube and Newark-based law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky (C&K). At the heart of the case is a report that accused Evolution of supplying its games to operators active in what it described as “banned terror states like Iran, Syria, and Sudan” — allegations Evolution firmly denies.
After C&K shared the report with New Jersey regulators and it leaked to the media, the damage was swift. Evolution’s share price fell sharply, erasing roughly $3 billion in market value. The company has consistently maintained the report was a commercially motivated smear campaign rather than genuine whistleblowing.
Playtech Named as the Client Behind the Report
In October 2025, a court ordered Black Cube to disclose who had commissioned the report. The answer was Playtech — a significant rival to Evolution in the live casino software market. Evolution alleges that Playtech paid Black Cube approximately £1.8 million for the report, with further performance-linked payments tied to whether the report generated media coverage or triggered regulatory scrutiny.
Playtech has not been found liable for any wrongdoing, and these remain allegations at this stage.
What Happens Next
The judge’s refusal to add Playtech was not a ruling on whether Evolution’s claims have merit. Rather, the court is currently weighing a separate motion from Black Cube under New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP laws. These laws are designed to protect individuals and organisations from lawsuits intended to silence legitimate public interest communications — Black Cube argues that tipping off regulators falls squarely within that protection.
Evolution counters that the conduct was commercially driven and backed by a direct competitor, placing it firmly outside the scope of anti-SLAPP protections.
If Black Cube’s anti-SLAPP challenge fails, the judge has left open the possibility that Playtech could be added as a defendant at a later stage. The case remains in discovery, more than four years after it was first filed.
For more on the wider industry landscape, keep up with our casino news or explore our guides for background on how the live casino software sector works.
Gambling is for adults only (18+). Please play responsibly — visit BeGambleAware for support.