A legal fight between two of the biggest technology suppliers to the gambling industry has taken another turn, with a New Jersey judge refusing to add Playtech as another defendant. The dispute stems from a controversial 2021 report that claimed Evolution was operating in restricted markets. Compiled by private intelligence firm Black Cube, the paper quickly reverberated throughout the sector, raising questions about corporate conduct.
The Legal Fight Shows No Signs of Subsiding
The case has quickly evolved into a tense courtroom battle with billions of dollars in alleged damages at stake. Evolution repeatedly argued that the report was more than an outside evaluation. According to the company, the document was part of a calculated attempt to damage its reputation. The company claims the fallout was severe, citing lost market value and disrupted operations.
Playtech’s role is central to this argument, as court filings reveal that the company reportedly employed Black Cube and helped shape how the findings were presented and distributed. Evolution’s amended complaint describes the episode as a coordinated campaign that went beyond defamation, leading to allegations of trade libel and fraud.
Playtech has fought back hard. The company has said the report raised legitimate issues that merited attention, dismissing any suggestion it carried out a smear campaign. According to Playtech, the Evolution lawsuit was an attempt to distract from the underlying claims rather than confront the accusations directly.
Playtech Is Not Completely Safe
According to a recent Next.io report, the judge’s decision to bar Playtech from joining the case is based on procedural issues, rather than an examination of the two competing narratives. The ruling is reportedly connected to a separate motion from Black Cube to dismiss the case under New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP law. The law was intended to prevent suits that could be viewed as an attack on free expression on matters of public concern.
That pending motion means that the court will likely block any attempts to expand the list of defendants. However, legal experts point out that Playtech is not necessarily safe. If Evolution’s case survives its anti-SLAPP challenge, the company could file another motion to involve Playtech in the proceedings.
Meanwhile, the discovery process continues to reveal details on how the report was created. The court has permitted Evolution to examine additional materials, such as transcripts and recordings tied to communications between Black Cube and state regulators. These documents could provide vital evidence in revealing the document’s motivations and whether there was any malicious intent.