Playtech Named as Defendant in Evolution’s Anti-Competitive Lawsuit

In a recent filing before the Superior Court of New Jersey, Evolution asked for permission to formally add Playtech and several associated parties as defendants in its ongoing defamation lawsuit. The move escalates a case that has already drawn attention across the sector due to its growing scale and the significant damage it has caused.

Evolution Claims the Report Was a Targeted Attack

The ongoing dispute centers on a report produced several years ago by Black Cube, a controversial investigative firm hired to examine Evolution’s business practices. Evolution claims that the report was a carefully planned operation meant to disrupt its position in leading markets, particularly in North America. According to the company, the report resulted in estimated losses of over $14 billion.

For nearly four years, Playtech spent millions of dollars in legal fees to conceal its involvement in this smear campaign and avoid accountability.

Evolution statement

According to the amended complaint, Playtech commissioned the report and directly contributed to shaping and disseminating its findings. Evolution claims the effort went beyond defamation, accusing its rival of trade libel, fraud, and even racketeering. The company argues that the campaign was designed to attract regulatory scrutiny and potentially impact its operating licenses.

Regulatory reviews in the USA form the basis for Evolution’s argument. The company stated that two state-level investigations disproved key claims in the report. Evolution maintains that the document continued to circulate despite these revelations, causing lasting harm. The company also asserts that Juda Engelmayer, another defendant, used his firm to promote the findings even after their accuracy had become questionable.

Playtech Was Ready to Defend Its Position

For now, the court has not yet ruled whether Evolution can expand its complaint as requested. Playtech has nevertheless responded to the accusations, defending its choice to commission the report. According to the company, the document raises legitimate concerns. Playtech framed the lawsuit as an attempt by Evolution to deflect scrutiny rather than address uncomfortable questions regarding its operations.

Playtech also claimed that it welcomes further examination in court. This will include a discovery process, where internal documents and testimony could shed more light on both sides’ claims. The company plans to defend itself vigorously, trusting that the legal process will validate the report’s credibility.

Playtech will defend itself against Evolution’s claims and will continue to act in the best interests of industry operators, suppliers, and regulators as well as its shareholders.

Playtech statement

The dispute highlights how growing competition in the gaming technology sector can lead to long-lasting tensions as leading companies strive to strengthen their positions in regulated markets. Evolution and Playtech are two of the primary suppliers in America and Northern Europe, pitting them directly against each other as they fight over some of the industry’s most valuable jurisdictions.