New court documents in New Jersey have revealed new details about Playtech’s secret relationship with private intelligence firm Black Cube. One of the more interesting details was a promise to pay up to £500,000 if one of Evolution’s gaming licences was revoked after the company’s 2021 investigation.
It was revealed in October 2025 that Playtech was the mystery client behind Black Cube’s 2021 investigation into Evolution, which sought to uncover whether the gaming giant ran businesses in prohibited jurisdictions and potentially violated US sanctions.
The disclosures, extracted from the testimony of Black Cube’s director, Dr Avi Yanus, provide more details on how far Playtech went in its attempts to scrutinise, and potentially damage, rival gaming giant Evolution.
Secret Success Fees and Covert Operations
According to the filings, Black Cube signed two letters of engagement with Playtech, one in December 2020 and another in 2022, setting out a series of success fees tied to specific outcomes.
The first contract promised £150,000 for uncovering evidence of wrongdoing, £175,000 if a major media outlet published the story, £350,000 if a regulator launched an investigation, and £500,000 if any of Evolution’s licences were taken away by regulators.
After Black Cube’s investigation triggered the first three outcomes, leading to Playtech paying £675,000. Various major outlets published details from the report, which prompted regulators in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to open investigations. But both were later closed without finding evidence of misconduct.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement later described the initial report as objectively baseless. However, the judge in charge of the ongoing defamation case noted that the trial was still in its early stages, and this could change in time.
The second agreement, signed in 2022, extended the investigation and offered further payments, including £200,000 if a licence was eventually voided.
A Web of Legal and PR Activity
The filings also show that Playtech funded not only Black Cube’s work but also its legal bills and those of Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP. The latter is a US law firm that fronted the report publicly.
Playtech also hired HeraldPR, a firm led by public relations professional Juda S. Engelmayer, to push the story to the media. Court records also suggest that millions of pounds have been spent so far on related legal proceedings.
Undercover Intelligence Work
Additionally, Dr Yanus confirmed that Black Cube’s agents used fake identities and covertly recorded conversations with Evolution employees, tactics reminiscent of intelligence operations carried out by the firm’s ex-Mossad and Shin Bet veterans.
He defended these covert methods, insisting that the methodology was the only way to uncover the truth and gain truthful data. Yanus also said Playtech was fully aware of Black Cube’s tactics and never raised objections.
In the meantime, the private intelligence firm continues to fight efforts to reveal the names of its undercover agents. It claimed that such exposure could put their lives and livelihoods in danger.
Selective Evidence Submission
Yanus further admitted that only a fraction of the material gathered was presented to regulators, with just six out of 20 interviews included in the final report and only five video clips submitted as “selected investigative gameplay recordings.”
When asked why other footage showing failed attempts to access Evolution games was excluded, Yanus replied that he was aware of the report’s purpose.
However, he dismissed suggestions that evidence of unsuccessful access attempts weakened the findings, saying even limited success demonstrated an option to gamble from forbidden countries.
Playtech and Black Cube Respond
A Playtech spokesperson was quick to respond, saying:
“There has been no ruling that the allegations in the Black Cube report are false. Black Cube testified, just days ago, that Evolution continues to operate in sanctioned markets even in October 2025. Playtech welcomes court examination of the report and is confident the truth will prevail.”
Meanwhile, a Black Cube spokesperson defended the company and its work:
“The extensive body of evidence, including countless hours of video and audio recordings, leaves no room for doubt: Evolution knowingly and deliberately allowed its games to operate in sanctioned jurisdictions and black markets. The truth will prevail.”
High-Stakes Legal Battle
The revelations come as part of a multi-year defamation case launched by Evolution against Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP. The case has already unmasked Playtech and Black Cube as the entities behind the secret 2021 probe, which accused Evolution of operating in markets under US sanctions.
There is no court ruling yet, but the new findings help paint a picture of a highly orchestrated, intelligence-style campaign, backed by one of the iGaming sector’s largest B2B suppliers, and with millions riding on its outcome.
As the New Jersey court prepares for further hearings, the battle between Playtech, Black Cube, and Evolution looks doomed to continue for at least another few years.
