The New Jersey defamation case stemming from a 2021 report alleging Evolution operated in prohibited markets has moved from its original substance into a protracted fight over discovery and disclosure — one that has now run more than four years. Court filings unsealed through 2025 identified Playtech, Evolution's London-listed rival, as the client behind the report, which was compiled by private intelligence firm Black Cube through an entity called Veridicians. New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement reviewed the underlying allegations and closed its investigation in February 2024 without finding evidence of wrongdoing.
Evolution has since sought sanctions against Black Cube, arguing depositions showed the firm continued receiving payment for Evolution-related work well after the original 2021 report — activity Evolution says was not disclosed under a September discovery order. Judge John C. Porto of the Atlantic County Superior Court denied that sanctions request in December, ruling the order in question covered only information known at the time and that Black Cube's response fell within a reasonable interpretation of its scope.
Evolution separately moved in April to add Playtech directly as a defendant, alleging the supplier orchestrated a campaign to damage its reputation and estimating resulting losses above $14bn. That motion was denied on 5 June, though without prejudice — a procedural setback tied to Black Cube's own effort to dismiss the case under New Jersey's anti-SLAPP statute, rather than a ruling on the underlying merits. Playtech has called the allegations baseless and maintains it stands by its decision to commission the original report.
A hearing on the anti-SLAPP motion is scheduled for November 2026, with retired US District Judge Robert B. Kugler appointed as a special adjudicator to resolve outstanding discovery disputes in the interim. Legal observers note the case could still be reopened to include Playtech if Evolution's claims survive that hearing.