Ex-Mossad Operatives Linked to Secret Campaign Against Evolution
Espionage Scandal Unfolds in Online Gambling Industry
The online gambling sector is facing a major corporate espionage controversy following revelations from court documents in New Jersey. Former Mossad intelligence agents, now working with the Israeli firm Black Cube, were involved in a covert investigation targeting Evolution, a leading gaming company from Sweden. This operation was reportedly commissioned and financed by Playtech, a London-listed iGaming rival of Evolution.
Playtech Defends Its Actions as Legitimate Concerns
Black Cube, founded by ex-members of Israel’s intelligence community, allegedly received around .8 million (approximately $2.4 million) from Playtech to produce a report accusing Evolution of engaging in activities within prohibited and sanctioned territories, such as Iran, Syria, and Hong Kong. This report, which was submitted to regulators in December 2021 in New Jersey, caused a temporary multi-billion-dollar drop in Evolution’s market value before it was dismissed due to lack of verified evidence.
Playtech, which was established by Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, firmly denies any wrongdoing. The company explained that its subsidiary, Playtech Software Limited, hired an independent intelligence firm purely to investigate suspicions regarding Evolution’s possible operations in unregulated markets. Playtech insists the investigation was conducted legally and was appropriate under the circumstances.
The investigation was undertaken lawfully to better understand and verify concerns of significant regulatory and commercial importance.
Playtech Software Limited statement
Meanwhile, Evolution has named Playtech as a defendant in its ongoing defamation lawsuit, accusing the company of orchestrating a smear campaign aimed at damaging its reputation and reducing its sales. Evolution maintains that the claims within the report were intentionally false and inflicted multi-billion-dollar harm upon its business.
Controversial Tactics Employed by Black Cube
Documentation from legal proceedings and witness testimonies reveal that Black Cube used deceptive practices to gather information. Representatives of Black Cube allegedly posed as potential investors and business collaborators when interacting with current and former employees of Evolution. Some of these encounters were covertly recorded, with parts selectively edited and presented in the report delivered to regulators.
Black Cube’s involvement in controversial assignments is not new; its prior work includes efforts to suppress unfavorable media coverage for disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The firm’s participation in this case has intensified ethical debates over the role of private intelligence companies in corporate conflicts, especially since Evolution staff claim their statements were grossly misrepresented.
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.
Evolution statement
Further allegations from Evolution suggest that senior executives at Playtech, including CEO Mor Weizer, maintained direct communication with Black Cube during the campaign. These claims have fueled speculation regarding Playtech’s active role in orchestrating the operation. Evolution vows to pursue all legal paths to hold Playtech and its associates accountable for what it describes as a deliberate and coordinated attack on its worldwide standing.
