In a shocking turn of events, a recent cyber attack has left visitors to major casinos feeling uneasy and has cast a shadow over the gambling world. One of the largest casino owners in Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International, fell victim to a cybersecurity breach, causing disruptions and financial woes for many.
Dulce Martinez, a 45-year-old publicist from Los Angeles, experienced the chaos firsthand. She encountered an error message when trying to access her casino rewards account, only to discover that the casino had suffered a cyber attack. Concerned about the security of her credit card linked to the account, Martinez canceled it after noticing several unauthorized transactions.
The breach at MGM Resorts, affecting reservations and casino operations, raised alarms among visitors. Video slot machines were rendered inactive, hotel room cards failed to work, and some visitors even canceled their trips in response to the incident.
The situation persisted for several days, prompting MGM Resorts to offer penalty-free room cancellations until September 17. However, details regarding the extent of the breach and the compromised information remained undisclosed.
Adding to the turmoil, Caesars Entertainment, the world's largest casino owner, confirmed that it had also fallen victim to a cybersecurity attack. Although its casino and hotel computer systems remained operational, the safety of customer data remained uncertain.
These security breaches have shattered the illusion that casinos are impervious to cyber threats. While major casino giants invest heavily in security, they are not immune to vulnerabilities. According to Yoohwan Kim, a computer science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, even the most advanced security systems can have weaknesses, often stemming from human-related errors such as phishing.
Tony Anscombe, the chief security official at ESET, a cybersecurity company based in San Diego, suggested that these attacks may have been socially engineered, exploiting human behavior through tactics like phone calls, text messages, or phishing emails.
As a consequence of these cyberattacks, some Las Vegas casino floors remained deserted. A hacker group even claimed responsibility for the attack on Caesars Entertainment and demanded a $30 million ransom. While it remains unclear whether the affected companies paid the ransom, experts warn that more attacks may be imminent.
Professor Kim emphasized the need for better preparation and security measures, stating, "If it happened to MGM, the same thing could happen to other properties, too. Definitely more attacks will come. That's why they have to prepare."