Evolution AB has taken a further step in its ongoing legal dispute in the United States by seeking permission to expand its complaint and include Playtech Plc and other parties as defendants. The filing, submitted to the Superior Court of New Jersey, builds on a case first launched in 2021 and centers on allegations of defamation and anti-competitive conduct linked to a report that targeted Evolution’s business practices.

Lawsuit Expansion Targets Alleged Campaign

The company alleges that Playtech, alongside Black Cube and associated individuals, played a central role in commissioning and distributing reports that it claims were designed to damage its reputation and disrupt its position in the North American market. The amended complaint includes accusations of defamation, trade libel, fraud, and racketeering, while also alleging that key information about involvement in the matter was not disclosed to shareholders.

Evolution outlined its position in a formal statement, saying in a press release (pdf): “It continues to be disappointing that a direct competitor would go to such extreme lengths to orchestrate a covert campaign designed to harm our business and avoid competing fairly in the marketplace. We are formally naming Playtech in our lawsuit because the facts are clear: Playtech hired Black Cube to create and publicize a defamatory report designed to harm Evolution, all while misleading the market and lying to investors about its role. For nearly four years, Playtech spent millions of dollars in legal fees to conceal its involvement in this smear campaign and avoid accountability.”

The dispute stems from a 2021 report that raised allegations about Evolution’s operations in certain jurisdictions. According to Evolution, the report was part of a broader effort to trigger regulatory scrutiny and potentially impact its gaming licenses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company maintains that regulators later reviewed the claims and found no evidence of wrongdoing.

Timeline of Disputed Report and Legal Proceedings

The legal filings trace the origins of the dispute back to December 2020, when Playtech is said to have engaged Black Cube to produce investigative material concerning Evolution. Over the course of 2021, the investigation reportedly involved recorded interviews conducted under false pretenses, which Evolution claims were selectively edited to support predetermined conclusions.

In November 2021, the report was submitted to regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, accompanied by a request to take action against Evolution’s licenses. Media coverage followed shortly after, amplifying the claims contained within the report.

Evolution initiated legal proceedings in December 2021, targeting those involved in the report’s creation and distribution. Over time, court orders led to the identification of additional parties connected to the investigation. In 2025, legal developments required the disclosure of Black Cube’s client, which was subsequently identified as Playtech.

Court documents referenced findings from regulators who closed their investigations in February 2024 without taking action. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement stated that it had found “no evidence … showing that Evolution took illegal bets from New Jersey, another state, or any other prohibited jurisdiction,” and “no evidence of inappropriate payments to Evolution by its clients or that Evolution provided devices for customers to illegally use their content.”

Subsequent rulings also addressed the credibility of the report itself, with the court noting that it was “objectively baseless” when considered alongside regulatory findings.

The case has drawn attention within the iGaming sector due to the scale of the companies involved and the nature of the allegations. Both Evolution and Playtech operate as major suppliers in the online gaming market, with North America identified as a key area of growth.

Evolution’s filings describe financial arrangements tied to the investigation, including success-based payments linked to specific outcomes such as media exposure and regulatory inquiries. The company argues that these arrangements demonstrate a structured effort to influence both public perception and regulatory action.

In response to earlier reporting, Playtech has rejected claims that it engaged in a smear campaign, stating that any investigation commissioned was intended to examine concerns raised by industry stakeholders and regulators. The company has also pointed out that courts have not issued a final ruling on the underlying allegations contained in the report.