Playtech Exposed as Client Behind Defamatory Smear Campaign Targeting Evolution AB

Evolution AB, a leading provider of online casino games, revealed on October 21, 2025, that Playtech Software Limited, a subsidiary of Playtech Plc, commissioned the controversial investigation firm Black Cube to produce a report in 2021. The report contained misleading and false claims about Evolution’s business practices and was part of an alleged anti-competitive smear campaign.

Playtech is accused of paying  over £1.8 million to create a report designed to harm Evolution’s reputation. The allegations in the report were widely circulated by Bloomberg and other media outlets, causing significant reputational damage to Evolution, despite being dismissed by multiple regulators and courts as false and baseless.

Evolution issued a statement condemning Playtech’s actions, calling the situation “deeply disturbing.” The company highlighted that the defamatory report, which was leaked to the media by Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, a law firm acting on behalf of Black Cube, had “extremely harmful repercussions”. While two U.S. state regulators dismissed the allegations as unfounded, the damage to Evolution’s business was substantial, with multi-billion-dollar losses.

Black Cube, known for using deceitful methods, employed unethical tactics during its investigation, which included secretly recording conversations with Evolution employees under false pretenses. The firm used disguises, falsified identities, and edited recordings to produce a report that misrepresented the information gathered. Evolution refuted the claims, stating that the report did not accurately reflect their comments, and the company’s board members disavowed the allegations.

The case took a legal turn when Evolution filed a lawsuit in 2021 against Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and its clients for defamation, fraud, and trade libel. The New Jersey Superior Court later found that the report was false and lacked truthfulness, confirming that the defamatory actions caused significant harm to Evolution’s business.

December 2020: Playtech hired Black Cube to create a defamatory report targeting Evolution, aimed at accusing the company of regulatory violations.

2021: Black Cube conducted an investigation using deceptive methods, including secret meetings with current and former Evolution employees. The edited footage was then used to construct a misleading narrative.

November 2021: Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP submitted the report to regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The report, containing false allegations, was then leaked to the media, including Bloomberg, where it was cited in inaccurate articles.

2021-2025: Evolution pursued legal action, with Playtech and Black Cube attempting to conceal their involvement. In February 2024, state regulators concluded that no illegal activities were found, clearing Evolution of the allegations.

In February 2025, after years of litigation, the New Jersey Superior Court ordered Calcagni &; Kanefsky LLP to disclose the identity of the client behind the report, which led to the revelation of Playtech’s involvement. The court described Black Cube’s tactics as “objectively baseless” and criticized their attempts to legitimize the report with further self-serving affidavits.

Top casinos in United States

125% up to

$1000

Overall Rating

62

Visit Casino Read Review

With Playtech now identified as the client behind the defamatory campaign, Evolution plans to amend its lawsuit to include Playtech as a defendant. The litigation, which has been ongoing for several years, is expected to continue through 2026, as the legal team prepares to hold all responsible parties accountable for the harm caused.

Source:

, news.cision.com, October 21, 2025