Cyberattack Disrupts Operations at Nevada Casino Operator Olympia Gaming

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jun 21, 2024

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This week, Olympia Gaming’s northern Nevada properties experienced a cyberattack, adding to the increasing list of such incidents in the gaming industry. The specific details of the attack on Olympia Gaming’s properties remain sparse at this time. The affected properties include Casino Fandango in Carson City and Legends Bay Casino in Sparks.

Casino Fandango boasts over 700 slot machines, 10 table games, a high-limit room, and a sportsbook. Meanwhile, Legends Bay Casino features numerous slot and video poker machines, 10 table games, and a Circa Sports sportsbook.

The cyberattack has disrupted operations, leading to the postponement of certain events, such as Wednesday night’s line-dancing event at the Bandwagon at Legends Bay Casino.

In response to the attack, Olympia Gaming has engaged a national cybersecurity consultant to investigate the breach and has taken measures to secure its online systems. The company is focused on resuming normal operations as quickly as possible and emphasizes that the safety and well-being of its guests and employees remain a top priority.

However, no disclosure has been made regarding whether the hack compromised customers’ confidential information. Additionally, it is unclear whether the consultants have identified the hacking group responsible for the attack.

Founded in 2005, Olympia Gaming is a division of Olympia Companies, based in Las Vegas. This incident places Olympia Gaming in a growing list of casinos targeted by cyberattacks this year.

In April, Swinomish Casino and Lodge in Washington State suffered a cyberattack that led to a three-week closure. Though details were limited, it was believed that Internet service was affected.

Last September, MGM Resorts International faced a week-long cybersecurity and data system outage caused by the hacking group Scattered Spider. MGM did not pay the hackers but reported a $100 million impact on its third-quarter earnings and incurred $10 million in one-time expenses.

During the same period, Caesars Entertainment was extorted for tens of millions of dollars by Scattered Spider.

A cyberattack also targeted Rivers Casino Des Plaines in Illinois around August 12. The compromised information included names, contact information, driver’s licenses, and government ID numbers, as well as potential financial information.

These incidents highlight the growing trend of cyberattacks in the gaming industry, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. As Olympia Gaming works to recover from the recent attack, it underscores the urgent need for heightened security protocols to protect both operational integrity and customer data across the industry.