Summary:
- Hackers broke into Everi slot gaming systems.
- Hospitals had to move serious patients to other facilities.
- The investigation is ongoing into the incidents.
Less than a month after the news broke that Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International were hit with a cyber-attack, we have now learned that New York is the latest victim.
The NY Gaming Commission has confirmed that its central operating system was breached. A cyberattack hit the system and caused the slot parlors to be shut down. On an even scarier note, the breach also affected two Hudson Valley hospitals, putting patients in physical danger.
System Breaches
According to Gaming Commission spokesman Brand Maione, on October 17, the licensed operator for video lottery gaming in New York, Everi, was breached. The investigation is ongoing, so full details have yet to be provided on the matter.
The commission does not know if the attacker gathered any personal information in the breach and is monitoring the situation. Jake’s 58 was shut down after the attack was recognized to ensure player safety and the operating system’s security. The casino in Islandia was shut down for several days due to the incident.
Along with the casino system, the HealthAlliance Hospital and Margaretville Hospital in Hudson Valley were forced to move some patients due to a cyberattack. Patients were sent to other venues while systems were being worked on. A nursing home nearby was also affected.
The hospitals could stay open and treat walk-ins but either stabilized or released the patients. It’s too risky to keep patients on life-saving machinery if systems are at risk of being shut down completely.
The hospitals had to shut down completely on October 20 due to the attack and have now regained all capabilities to offer full operations.
What’s the Motives Behind the Attacks?
Casinos have been a prime target for cyberattacks for years, but in the past few months, there has been an uptick in the instances. Is it due to the industry’s success or because systems lack the infrastructure to be protected?
Casinos are a hot spot for monetary gain by criminals as well as personal data. Millions of people visit casinos regularly, so computer systems house various data, including credit card information. Hackers can access and use the data or sell it to a third party for gain.
Because casinos house sensitive information, they are more at risk for ransom by attackers. Both MGM Resorts and Caesars reportedly paid millions due to the recent attack, and they will have to possibly pay more after being named in several lawsuits over the matter.
Casinos across the US should take these attacks as a warning and beef up their security systems. With more security, it will help other casino operators avoid such attacks if the cyber criminals continue on their casino spree.
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