World Game Protection Conference Suggests Gambling Crime Is on the Rise

Article by : Erik Gibbs Mar 5, 2024

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The 2024 World Game Protection Conference reveals a significant upswing in cheating and crime within the gaming industry.

With record-breaking attendance of 750 at the Tropicana Las Vegas, high-level executives flocked to the event, drawn by concerns stemming from cyberattacks and social engineering in 2023.

Willy Allison, WGP’s Founder and CEO, attributed this surge to the escalating threats outlined in his newsletter and podcast with surveillance expert Darrin Hoke. Hoke highlighted the undeniable resurgence of casino-industry crime, emphasizing both its increased frequency and innovation.

The gaming landscape faces amplified challenges, evidenced by MGM Resorts International’s nationwide cyberattack and the recent assault on Casino del Sol in Tucson. The sinister tactics of impostors posing as casino owners led to substantial financial losses in at least five casinos, while criminal gangs targeted both casino and player chip stacks, intensifying the industry’s struggles.

Buddy Frank, an influential columnist and slot consultant for CDC Gaming Reports, took on a key role in moderating multiple conference panels. Frank’s interest was particularly piqued by open-source intelligence (OSINT), focusing on the extensive information hackers extract from websites and social media to compromise accounts.

Frank moderated a compelling panel where three casino victims of ransomware openly shared experiences, insights and proactive measures against future threats. Kari Stout-Smith, General Manager and COO of Cache Creek Casino Resort, detailed a 2020 cyberattack that led to a three-week casino closure.

Contrary to the misconception of WGP’s exclusive focus on surveillance, feedback from attendees highlighted a broader scope. Founder Willy Allison emphasized the conference’s comprehensive coverage of diverse threats crucial for industry awareness.

The 2024 WGP conference saw a surge in higher-level management attendance, reflecting a focus on contemporary threats. Participants acknowledged WGP’s role in offering insights beyond surveillance, providing invaluable perspectives on the myriad challenges faced by the gaming sector.

Executives, exposed to ongoing risks, sent representatives to WGP for insights and instigated necessary changes.

The conference expanded into operational-risk areas, including digital sports betting. Ross Anderson highlighted the vulnerability of unreported college sports injuries to gambling scandals, proposing detailed reporting as a solution.

Attendees included 60% tribal-related and 40% commercial casinos, with 10% from 18 countries. The conference coincided with the Casino del Sol cyberattack, raising concerns about hackers targeting gaming systems and prompting increased attention to evolving threats.