Evolution’s Legal Battle with Black Cube and Calcagni & Kanefsky Escalates
Introduction to the Legal Conflict
The intense legal confrontation involving gambling giant Evolution and the law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky (CK) is reaching a critical new stage. A New Jersey court has ordered the intelligence agency Black Cube to disclose the identity of its secret client within seven days. This client allegedly commissioned a report accusing Evolution of allowing its live casino games to be accessible in prohibited markets, an allegation that temporarily caused billions to be wiped off Evolution’s market value.
Unyielding Positions From Both Sides
Following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s refusal to block Evolution’s discovery requests, CK revealed that Black Cube, a private Israeli intelligence company known for high-profile corporate investigations, was behind the report. This revelation escalated the tensions, with Black Cube responding by making new accusations.
Black Cube claimed that Evolution misrepresented facts in court and asserted it has new, significant evidence contradicting Evolution’s version of events. The agency promised to present this evidence and stated it would not be intimidated by what it described as efforts to undermine its work.
Evolution quickly pushed back, labeling Black Cube’s claims as false and defamatory, and accused them of trying to divert attention from the key issue—uncovering who financed the 2021 investigation. Evolution believes the report was strategically designed to damage its market position and suspects that a competing gaming supplier is behind Black Cube’s client. If this is confirmed, it may dramatically intensify the ongoing dispute.
The Impact of a Possible Disclosure on the iGaming Industry
The latest court decision is a significant win for Evolution. Judge John C. Porto ruled that investigations by regulatory bodies such as the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board found no grounds for enforcement action and described the Black Cube report as lacking any objective basis. These rulings are important for Evolution, as they support its claim that the probe was possibly intended to harm its business.
The new court order compels Black Cube to reveal its client’s identity, provide invoices and payment details related to the report, list all parties who received the findings, and make its director available for testimony. However, Black Cube has obtained a temporary postponement of these discovery requirements pending a hearing scheduled for October 31.
Black Cube’s remaining legal option may be to dismiss the case under New Jersey’s anti-SLAPP law, which safeguards defendants from lawsuits aimed at suppressing free speech. Should the court reject this motion, Black Cube would be required to disclose who commissioned the investigation, a revelation that could send shockwaves throughout the iGaming sector.
