In a significant development revealed on October 21, 2025, Evolution AB, a world leader in online casino game development, disclosed that Playtech Software Limited, a subsidiary of Playtech Plc, was behind the creation and dissemination of a defamatory report designed to damage Evolution’s reputation. The report, fabricated by the controversial investigation firm Black Cube, contained false claims and was intended to harm Evolution’s business in an anti-competitive manner.
The involvement of Playtech in this scheme was kept under wraps for years, but Evolution’s legal battle has finally brought the truth to light. The company revealed that Playtech had paid Black Cube over £1.8 million to fabricate and circulate the damaging report. Despite being dismissed by regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and found to be untruthful by the New Jersey Superior Court, the report caused substantial reputational damage to Evolution and resulted in multi-billion-dollar losses.
Manipulative Tactics by Black Cube and Legal Repercussions
Black Cube, infamous for its use of deceitful and unethical methods, engaged in covert operations to create the defamatory report. As part of their investigation, the firm conducted secret interviews with current and former Evolution employees, using false identities and disguises. These interviews were recorded without consent and selectively edited to build a false narrative. The full scope of Black Cube’s tactics raised serious ethical concerns, including the manipulation of evidence to serve the desired outcome.
Evolution was quick to disavow the allegations, with company officials stating that the report misrepresented their comments and that they were unaware of any illegal activities described. Evolution then pursued legal action, filing a lawsuit in 2021 against Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, the law firm that facilitated the distribution of the defamatory report. Playtech, which had been attempting to keep its involvement a secret, was named in the lawsuit once its role became clear.
Chronology of Key Events and the Legal Struggle
In December 2020, Playtech hired Black Cube to conduct an “investigation” into Evolution, with the goal of producing a false report that would damage the company’s reputation. Throughout 2021, Black Cube conducted a series of deceptive interviews with key individuals at Evolution, ultimately compiling edited, misleading video and audio recordings. The fabricated report was submitted to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) in November 2021 by Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, a law firm paid to oversee the submission.
Once the report was leaked to Bloomberg and other media outlets, it sparked a series of negative articles, including one by Bloomberg on November 16, 2021, which based its reporting on the false allegations within the report. Despite a public outcry, Evolution maintained its innocence, and regulators began reviewing the claims made against the company.
The court case, which Evolution filed in December 2021, took several years to unfold. The New Jersey Superior Court eventually dismissed the defamatory claims, stating that the report lacked any factual basis. In February 2024, state regulators cleared Evolution of any wrongdoing, with the NJDGE stating they had found “no evidence” that Evolution engaged in illegal activities.
Revelation of Playtech’s Involvement and Continued Legal Action
It was not until February 2025 that the New Jersey Superior Court ordered the law firm to disclose the identity of the client behind the defamatory campaign. That decision ultimately revealed Playtech as the party responsible for commissioning the harmful report. Despite this, Black Cube continues to resist efforts to fully comply with the court’s discovery orders, with the firm attempting to shield its activities from scrutiny.
With Playtech’s involvement now confirmed, Evolution intends to amend its lawsuit, adding the company to the list of defendants. Legal proceedings are expected to continue into 2026, with Evolution determined to hold both Playtech and Black Cube accountable for the damage caused.
Next Steps
Evolution has amended its complaint to include Playtech as a defendant. The litigation is expected to continue into 2026, as the company seeks accountability for the damage caused by the defamatory report.
Source:
Playtech Unmasked as Black Cube Client Behind Defamatory Smear Campaign Targeting Evolution AB, news.cision.com, October 21, 2025
