Playtech Denounces Evolution Lawsuit as “Baseless”

(AsiaGameHub) –   Playtech has quickly responded to the latest developments in its legal dispute with Evolution AB, asserting it will “defend itself vigorously” against what it characterized as a “baseless and without merit” defamation lawsuit filed in the United States.

This response came after Evolution AB stated that it was escalating its legal battle by seeking to include Playtech as a defendant in its ongoing defamation case before a New Jersey Superior Court. With this action, Playtech is now named alongside Calcagni & Kanefsky LLP and Black Cube, with Juda Engelmayer and others also added to the proceedings.

The company stated:

As previously announced, Playtech stands by both the decision to commission the report at the centre of Evolution’s claims, and the validity of its findings. Evolution continues to seek to avoid legitimate scrutiny rather than addressing longstanding questions about its own conduct, including its decision to supply operators in both illegal and sanctioned markets and to support unlicensed operators in regulated markets.

Playtech reaffirmed its stance on the investigation it commissioned into Evolution’s activities, an investigation that originated last year when Evolution first connected the company to the report.

Playtech added:

Playtech welcomes court and regulatory examination of the report and its findings and, importantly, the opportunity to be involved in the discovery process including to question Evolution’s employees, executives and officers in court. The company is very confident based on evidence it has, including recent additional evidence, that these proceedings will confirm the credibility and legitimacy of the report and the importance of the issues it seeks to address. Playtech will defend itself vigorously against Evolution’s claims and will continue to act in the best interests of industry operators, suppliers and regulators as well as its shareholders.

Earlier, Evolution had accused Playtech of orchestrating a smear campaign intended to damage its standing and secure an advantage in the North American market.

The filing includes accusations of “trade libel, fraud and racketeering,” and asserts that Playtech withheld crucial information from shareholders, despite the involvement of CEO Mor Weizer in the preparation and dissemination of the report.

Evolution added:

We are formally naming Playtech in our lawsuit because the facts are clear: Playtech hired Black Cube to create and publicise a defamatory report designed to harm Evolution, all while misleading the market and lying to investors about its role. For nearly four years, Playtech spent millions of dollars in legal fees to conceal its involvement in this smear campaign and avoid accountability. We are confident in our rigorous compliance policies and practices, and that the facts in this case are on our side. We look forward to holding Playtech, Black Cube, and all their accomplices accountable for the harm they have caused.