Playtech-Evolution legal battle: Black Cube files sworn evidence

• Black Cube has submitted an affidavit containing videos showing Evolution game access from Iran, Syria, and Russia between 2022 and 2025.
• The filing supports a motion to dismiss Evolution’s defamation suit under New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP protections.
• The dispute stems from a 2021 report commissioned by Playtech, which paid Black Cube over £1.8 million including success fees.

Black Cube filed sworn evidence in a New Jersey court on 1 December 2025, countering Evolution’s defamation lawsuit. The affidavit by Dr. Avi Yanus, the firm’s director, asserts that Evolution’s live casino games remain accessible in sanctioned countries.

Affidavit evidence overview

The affidavit includes video recordings of user sessions: more than 25 clips from Iran capturing deposits and bets from 2022 to 2025, nine from Syria, and 12 from Russia.

Access was also documented in France via offshore operators despite local bans. Spain, Italy, and the UK showed Evolution games available through unregulated sites. The videos depict full user journeys, including IP checks and gameplay.

Black Cube describes the evidence as unequivocal, while Evolution questions the validity of the videos, citing concerns about IP data and timestamps.

Payment structure exposed

Court filings from 3 November 2025 outline Playtech’s agreement with Black Cube in detail.

Playtech paid a £400,000 retainer in December 2020, followed by success fees: £150,000 for evidence of wrongdoing, £175,000 for media coverage, £350,000 for triggering a regulator inquiry, and £500,000 for licence loss.

Black Cube ultimately collected £675,000 after achieving the first three milestones, with total payments exceeding £1.8 million. A Bloomberg article in November 2021 prompted a 30% drop in Evolution’s share price.

“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,” Evolution said in a statement.

Creative intelligence

Black Cube used fabricated identities in operations from 2020 to 2024. Agents posed as investors from fictitious firms such as Parvus Capital and recorded Evolution executives discussing access in banned markets.

Operatives approached staff as representatives of a Sudanese billionaire, using covert audio and video recordings. The resulting report was submitted to New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement via Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP.

New Jersey regulators closed their probe in February 2024 without taking action, and Pennsylvania followed suit in September 2025. A court later deemed the 2021 report objectively baseless.

Lawsuit timeline

Evolution filed its defamation and libel suit in December 2021. Black Cube’s involvement was revealed in September 2025. Playtech’s role emerged only recently, with the case scheduled for trial in 2026.

“When someone behaves in that way, hides for four years doing this type of action… it takes a bit away from my belief in humanity and fair play and in ethics and morals,” said Martin Carlesund, Evolution CEO.

Playtech maintains that the probe addressed compliance concerns raised by operators and regulators and notes that no ruling has declared the report false.

“Playtech welcomes court examination of the report and its findings,” Playtech stated.

“Playtech is confident that these proceedings will confirm the credibility and legitimacy of the investigation and the importance of the issues it seeks to address”.​

Black Cube’s track record

Black Cube employs former Israeli intelligence officers, with past clients included Harvey Weinstein, whom the firm assisted with surveillance in 2016. The company is also linked to a defamatory campaign of the Obama administration.

Two operatives have faced charges in Romania for hacking and harassing Laura Codruta-Kovesi, at that time, the head of the National Anti-corruption, and currently the European Chief Prosecutor.

Operating from the shadow, the firm defends its methods as necessary for uncovering the truth using ‘creative intelligence’. Playtech has covered legal costs for both Black Cube and its law firm.