Cybersecurity breach disrupts New York Casino central operations

Thawanny October 23, 2023
Cybersecurity breach disrupts New York Casino central operations

A recent cybersecurity attack shook the gaming industry in the state of New York.

The cyberattack targeted a central operation system that oversees the functioning of slot venues across the region. Among the affected establishments was Jake’s 58 Casino, which was temporarily forced to shut its doors. The incident highlighted the importance of the critical need for stronger cybersecurity measures within the gaming sector.

New York cyberattacks impact casino and healthcare sectors

During the same weekend that New York State faced a series of cyberattacks, affecting the state’s casino operations, two hospitals also experienced a breach of security through additional cyberattacks.

The state Gaming Commission confirmed that its central operating system, responsible for managing slot parlours, fell victim to a cybersecurity attack, leading to the temporary closure of Jake 58 casino in Suffolk County. Hospitals, including HealthAlliance Hospital and Margaretville Hospital in Hudson Valley, had to divert patients during the attacks. The incidents showed the ever-present threat of cyberattacks within all industries. In the case of the casinos and hospitals, the attacks potentially jeopardized sensitive patient and customer data. While the affected entities have managed to restore operations, these events once again highlight the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

Vulnerability of video lottery terminals

This attack had a significant impact on Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs), operated by Everi Holdings on behalf of the New York Gaming Commission. While operations have since been restored, this event showed up the susceptibility of a vital gaming infrastructure to cyber threats.

Cybersecurity incidents in the gaming sector

The New York incident is the latest addition to a series of cybersecurity challenges faced by the gaming industry:

Just earlier this month, gaming giant Caesars was confronted with a critical decision when faced with a cyber threat. In a bid to prevent a potential attack, the company opted to pay a ransom, shedding light on the escalating challenges in safeguarding casino operations against evolving cyber threats. Caesars faced a difficult dilemma on whether ‘to pay or not to pay’.

MGM Resorts in Las Vegas adopted a different approach and showed resilience in the management of the cyberattack. The company refused to pay the ransom, leading to the unfortunate consequence of cyber attackers gaining access to a substantial six terabytes of data. This breach disrupted MGM Resorts’ operations for over ten days, serving as a stark reminder of the pressing need for additional cybersecurity measures within the gaming sector.

These incidents collectively bring to attention the critical importance of advancing cybersecurity practices to protect the integrity and continuity of gaming operations.

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