Evolution's Defamation Lawsuit Against Playtech Escalates — Racketeering Claims Added
Evolution has filed an amended complaint in New Jersey Superior Court seeking to add Playtech, PR executive Juda Engelmayer, and other defendants to its defamation lawsuit — a case that's been building since 2021. The updated charges now include trade libel, fraud, and racketeering.
The Original Attack
According to court documents, Playtech hired intelligence firm Black Cube — founded by Mossad and Shin Bet veterans — to investigate Evolution. The operation began in December 2020 with a payment of £1.8 million. Black Cube operatives used false identities, secretly recorded conversations, and posed as representatives of a Sudanese billionaire to extract information.
The resulting report triggered a massive sell-off in Evolution shares, which dropped from approximately SEK 1,440 to SEK 613.90 — wiping billions from the company's market cap.
The Success Fee Structure
What makes this case unusual is the payment model. Black Cube's contract reportedly included escalating success fees: £150,000 for evidence of wrongdoing, £175,000 for media publication, £350,000 if regulators investigated, and £500,000 if Evolution lost a license. Playtech allegedly paid £675,000 in success fees after achieving the first three objectives.
Where It Stands Now
Both the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board closed their investigations in February 2024 without taking any corrective action against Evolution — effectively undermining the report's central claims.
Playtech maintains the investigation's validity and "welcomes court and regulatory examination" of the findings. Evolution's amended complaint alleges that Playtech CEO Mor Weizer directly participated in preparing and distributing the report while concealing the company's involvement from shareholders.
For online casino players, Evolution and Playtech are the two largest live casino providers globally. This legal battle hasn't disrupted their game portfolios, but the corporate rivalry behind the scenes is as intense as any game you'll find on their tables.
