Evolution has added Playtech to its ongoing US defamation lawsuit, accusing the gaming technology company of helping organise a campaign aimed at damaging Evolution’s reputation.
The lawsuit, filed in New Jersey, also names law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP, private intelligence company Black Cube, public relations consultant Juda Engelmayer and other individuals. Evolution alleges that Playtech commissioned Black Cube to investigate its business activities and later helped promote a report that contained defamatory claims.
According to Evolution, the alleged campaign was intended to weaken the company’s position in the North American market and reduce competition. The company has also accused Playtech of trade libel, fraud and racketeering, as well as failing to fully disclose its involvement to shareholders.
The dispute goes back to an investigation commissioned by a Playtech subsidiary. Black Cube examined Evolution’s activities in prohibited and sanctioned markets, as well as its supply of games to unlicensed operators in regulated markets.
Playtech has rejected Evolution’s allegations. The company said the claims are “baseless and without merit” and confirmed that it will defend itself in court. Playtech also continues to stand by its decision to commission the investigation and the findings of the resulting report.
Playtech said it welcomes further court and regulatory examination of the report. It also said it expects the legal process to support the credibility of the investigation and the concerns raised in it.
Evolution, meanwhile, maintains that its compliance policies and practices are sound and said it expects to hold Playtech, Black Cube and the other defendants accountable for the alleged damage.
The case remains ongoing, with the two companies continuing to dispute the findings of the investigation and the circumstances surrounding its publication. A New Jersey court later declined Evolution’s request to add Playtech as a defendant in the existing case, although the broader legal dispute continues.
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