MGM Resorts Asks for FBI Help Investigating Cybersecurity Incident

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 15, 2023

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In a recent statement released by MGM Resorts International, the casino giant disclosed the occurrence of a cybersecurity issue. The recent situation led to the temporary shutdown of computer systems across its properties in the United States.

The incident, which began on Sunday, prompted the company to take precautionary measures by shutting down specific systems to safeguard sensitive data. While the company refrained from explicitly labelling it a cyberattack, it also didn’t share much about which systems had been affected.

MGM Resorts, headquartered in Las Vegas, stated that the impact of this issue extended to various locations, including Las Vegas and several states such as Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Ohio.

Guests at these establishments faced disruptions, such as difficulties with credit card transactions, cash machine withdrawals and key card access to their hotel rooms. Some reports even showed video slot machines rendered inactive.

On Monday, MGM Resorts assured the public that its resorts, encompassing dining, entertainment and gaming facilities, had resumed normal operations.

The company emphasized that guests retained access to their hotel rooms and that the front desk staff was on standby to assist. Company spokesperson Brian Ahern emphasized that customers were being served and that the resort was fully operational.

While the FBI is actively investigating the incident, Special Agent Mark Neria, the bureau’s spokesperson in Las Vegas, offered no further details.

The company’s website remained inaccessible on Tuesday, although it provided telephone numbers for reservations and contacting the various properties. An investigation is currently being conducted to get to the root cause of the issue.

Notably, the BetMGM website in Nevada acknowledged login issues for specific customers, while users from other states reported no such problems.

MGM Resorts International operates a vast network of hotel rooms in Las Vegas, including its flagship MGM Grand, along with iconic properties like Bellagio, Aria, New York-New York, and Mandalay Bay. The company also manages resorts in China and Macau.

While no further details have been released to the public, authorities believe there is no need to jump to conclusions to determine the source of the issue. While it’s possible there was an attack, no official causes have been identified yet.