The New Jersey Gambling Regulatory Commission has ended its investigation into Evolution in relation to allegations that the company defied US trade sanctions. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Close the case
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement is no longer investigating the world’s leading provider of live dealer casino games. It was looking into allegations that Evolution was supplying its products to countries that were subject to US trade sanctions.
He claimed that it is not a direct competitor to Evolution
A law firm brought this matter to the attention of New Jersey regulators in 2021 on behalf of an anonymous group. The law firm claimed that its client flew investigators to restricted countries where they then gained access to Evolution games. The group claimed that it was not a direct competitor to Evolution.
Claims are strongly rejected
Evolution has denied the allegations and believes they were made by a third party in an attempt to discredit its operations. It provided evidence of its relationship with gambling operators and regulators blocking users from countries such as Sudan, Iran and Syria.
In a statement about the case, Evolution said that “NJDGE found no evidence that Evolution sanctioned, promoted, permitted or otherwise materially benefited” from content provided by operators in markets the regulator considers off limits.
It also conducted its own internal investigation
The Sweden-based company said it had also conducted its own internal investigation. Despite finding that its compliance and due diligence processes were up to par, Evolution went ahead and enhanced them further.
Evolution described how users in restricted countries can only access its products through “sophisticated technical manipulation” such as using a VPN.
More trouble on the horizon
Evolution only works with online casinos that hold licenses for the markets in which the company’s games will be offered. It is up to partners to conduct verification checks on their players, which contradicts claims that Evolution failed to know its customers.
Evolution works with over 800 gambling site operators and employs over 19,000 people across North America and Sweden.
This is not the only case Evolution is struggling with as it is also facing a class action lawsuit in Pennsylvania. The complaint, filed last month, alleges that the company deceived its investors regarding compliance and its growth prospects.