Evolution’s Legal Standoff with Black Cube and Calcagni & Kanefsky Intensifies

The high-stakes legal showdown between gambling giant Evolution and law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky (CK) is entering a new and potentially decisive phase. A New Jersey court gave intelligence firm Black Cube seven days to reveal the identity of its mysterious client. The unknown entity allegedly commissioned a report that accused Evolution of permitting its live casino products to reach prohibited markets, briefly wiping billions from the company’s market value.

Neither Party Is Willing to Back Down

After the New Jersey Supreme Court denied attempts to block Evolution’s discovery requests, CK revealed that the party behind the report was Black Cube, an Israeli private intelligence firm with a reputation for conducting high-profile corporate investigations. The disclosure immediately reignited tensions as Black Cube swiftly fired back with fresh accusations.

The intelligence firm alleged that Evolution had misrepresented facts before the court, insisting it had new and material evidence contradicting the narrative put forth by Evolution. Black Cube pledged to produce this new data and refused to be intimidated by what it described as a campaign to discredit its work.

Evolution wasted no time, retaliating against Black Cube, describing the allegations as “false and defamatory,” meant to distract from the substantive question of who financed the 2021 probe. Evolution has long argued that the report’s true intent was to undermine its market presence. The company suspects that Black Cube’s mysterious client is a rival gaming supplier. If true, the revelation could further escalate this protracted legal battle.

A Potential Revelation Could Send Shockwaves Through the iGaming Sector

The latest court order marks a substantial victory for Evolution. Judge John C. Porto ruled that the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board had already investigated the allegations and found no basis for enforcement, declaring that the Black Cube report was “objectively baseless.” These findings are crucial in Evolution’s attempts to establish whether the investigation was a deliberate attempt to sabotage its business.

Under the new order, Black Cube must disclose the identity of its client, produce invoices and payment records connected to the report, list everyone who received the findings, and make its director available for deposition. However, Black Cube managed to secure a temporary stay on discovery in preparation for the October 31 Order to Show Cause hearing.

One of Black Cube’s sole remaining avenues is to have the case dismissed entirely under New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP statute, which protects defendants against lawsuits that aim to silence free speech. However, should the court rule against Black Cube, the intelligence company will then be forced to reveal who commissioned the investigation, potentially shaking the iGaming industry to the core.