Evolution names Playtech as client behind Black Cube smear campaign

• Evolution confirms Playtech as the company that hired Black Cube for a defamatory 2021 report.
• The investigation falsely alleged that Evolution operated in prohibited markets.
• The revelation follows a New Jersey court’s disclosure order in Evolution’s defamation case.

Evolution Gaming Group AB has officially named Playtech Plc as the client behind an organised smear campaign led by private intelligence firm Black Cube.

The disclosure, made public through Evolution’s press release on 21 October 2025, ends years of speculation over the source of the false 2021 “black-market access” report targeting the Swedish gaming giant.​

Background of the 2021 report

Black Cube, an Israel-based intelligence company, produced a report in 2021 alleging Evolution had facilitated access to its live casino games in sanctioned jurisdictions such as Iran, Sudan and Syria.

The accusations were distributed to U.S. regulators and media outlets by legal representatives at Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP. Following publication, Evolution’s share price fell sharply, losing close to 13 billion SEK in market value as a result.​

Subsequent reviews by gaming regulators in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania found no evidence supporting the claims. Both agencies reaffirmed Evolution’s regulatory compliance and concluded there was no basis for enforcement action.​

Evolution’s official statement

In its statement, Evolution accused Playtech Software Limited, a subsidiary of Playtech Plc, of funding the production and dissemination of the false report to harm Evolution’s commercial standing.

“It is deeply disturbing to learn that one of our competitors has gone to such extraordinary lengths to damage our business and reputation by hiring Black Cube and paying them over 1.8 million GBP to fabricate a report they knew would have extremely harmful repercussions,” said Evolution in the statement.​

The company described Black Cube’s tactics as “deceitful” and “anti-competitive”, noting that the intelligence firm had a “well-documented history of using deceitful methods to sway public opinion by launching smear campaigns on behalf of its clients.”

Evolution confirmed it is pursuing legal recourse against those responsible for orchestrating and executing the campaign.​

Broader implications

The revelation has sent shockwaves through the iGaming sector, given the scale of both companies’ influence in live casino technology and content. Playtech, a long-time competitor of Evolution, has not yet issued a public response.

Industry observers suggest this disclosure could lead to intensified regulatory scrutiny and a reassessment of marketing and intelligence practices used within the online gambling industry.​

Legal analysts say the case could also set a precedent for preventing the misuse of private intelligence services in corporate disputes. Evolution’s disclosure marks a major milestone in a four-year legal battle that has drawn global attention to ethical boundaries in competitive investigations.

Evolution concluded its statement:

“We are confident in our legal position and look forward to finally holding Playtech and its accomplices to account for the significant harm they have caused.”

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