Playtech’s Secret Campaign Against Evolution Revealed
Background of the Covert Campaign
A recent legal dispute in New Jersey has uncovered a covert operation linking gambling software giant Playtech with the private intelligence firm Black Cube and their rival, casino game developer Evolution. Court documents reveal Playtech funneled more than GBP 1.8 million (approximately $2.4 million) to Black Cube between 2021 and 2024. The funds financed a secret investigation aimed at scrutinizing and potentially damaging Evolution’s reputation.
Use of Deceptive Tactics by Black Cube
This partnership began when Playtech grew concerned that Evolution might be distributing its games in restricted or sanctioned markets. Playtech hired Black Cube, a company based in Tel Aviv and founded by former Israeli intelligence operatives, to gather evidence. Under several contracts, Black Cube was paid an initial GBP 400,000 ($524,214) for a three-month investigation, with additional bonuses promised for uncovering damaging information, gaining media coverage, or prompting regulatory actions.
According to testimony from Dr. Avi Yanus, a Black Cube co-founder, the firm’s agents created fake corporate identities, complete with fabricated websites and email addresses. Posing as investors, these agents infiltrated Evolution’s executive circles and secretly recorded meetings. They collected data intended to support claims that Evolution’s online games were being accessed in regions where gaming was prohibited.
Market Impact and Legal Fallout
The intelligence gathered by Black Cube formed the basis of a complaint filed in 2021 with New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement by a law firm on behalf of an anonymous competitor. When Bloomberg reported on the complaint in November, Evolution’s stock price plunged nearly 30% within a week. This market reaction triggered additional payments to Black Cube based on their reported success.
Playtech increased its financial support as investigations intensified, paying more when regulatory bodies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania examined Evolution’s operations. A further GBP 500,000 ($655,140) was offered if Evolution lost any gaming licenses, though this sum was never awarded after US authorities dismissed the allegations as unfounded in 2024 and ceased their inquiries.
Responses from Playtech, Evolution, and Black Cube
Playtech maintains that its actions were motivated by compliance concerns rather than an effort to harm a competitor and contends that the information obtained remains legitimate and should be admissible in court. In contrast, Evolution denounces the report as inaccurate and misleading, accusing Playtech of orchestrating an underhanded campaign through third parties to tarnish their reputation.
Black Cube defends its investigative methods and results, asserting that all operations were conducted with the client’s full knowledge. Dr. Yanus testified that the use of covert identities and recorded conversations was essential to uncovering the truth. The exposure of this secret campaign has unsettled both companies: Playtech’s stock dropped roughly 25% after its involvement was revealed, while Evolution continues to contest the allegations vigorously in court.
