Court documents from New Jersey expose Playtech’s £1.8 million ($2.4 million) payment to Black Cube. This gambling software leader contracted the private intelligence agency between 2021 and 2024. Their mission focused on investigating Swedish rival Evolution secretly.

Hidden Operations with Manufactured Identities

Black Cube received instructions to locate evidence of Evolution’s games in restricted territories. Former Israeli intelligence officers established this Tel Aviv company. Initial payment structure contained £400,000 ($524,000) retainer covering three months. Bonus payments are required for discovering damaging material, achieving media attention, or causing regulatory problems. Black Cube co-founder Dr Avi Yanus described their operational tactics in court. Agents established fictitious businesses, websites, and email accounts for cover. These operatives approached Evolution executives, claiming investor interest. Meetings were recorded while agents gathered proof of games in prohibited regions.

Results and Regulatory Responses

Intelligence from Black Cube formed the foundation for a regulatory complaint. Calcagni & Kanefsky submitted this to New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement in 2021. Media outlet Bloomberg reported on these allegations shortly afterwards. Stock prices for Evolution plummeted nearly 30% within seven days. Black Cube received extra success fees after this market reaction. Additional investigations began in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with Playtech’s continued support. A £500,000 bonus awaited if Evolution lost operating licenses. This outcome never materialised. American regulators declared these claims baseless by 2024. All investigations ended without penalties.

Playtech insists that compliance verification motivated this investigation, not competitive sabotage. Management maintains that their discoveries possess ongoing validity and legal significance. Evolution denounces these allegations as deceptive fabrications. Company officials blame Playtech for coordinating attacks using third-party firms. Black Cube defends both its methods and investigation outcomes. Yanus stated that covert approaches were essential for truth discovery. Full client knowledge existed throughout the operation, he testified.

Stock markets reacted strongly to these revelations. Playtech experienced an approximately 25% share price decline following disclosure. Legal proceedings continue as Evolution challenges these accusations.