Digitalization has led to online casinos becoming an attractive destination, not only for gambling enthusiasts but also cyber criminals. Casinos that do not utilize Gamstop self-exclusion systems need special consideration, with 5 pound deposit casinos providing greater freedom for players at their expense.
Together these areas present an increased threat of cyber attacks and here we explore this world in-depth.
Under cybersecurity, platforms are being targeted by hackers for various reasons and consequences of this behaviour can be determined.
Our analysis will cover numerous high-profile cyber attacks that have recently taken place and their methods, along with any effects for casinos or their customers, and measures to implement to combat potential risks to cyber security in online gambling. You’ll gain a better grasp of cyber security measures required.
History of cyber-attacks on casinos
Cyber attacks against casinos are nothing new: hackers first targeted an Internet Casinos online casino website back in 1995 and stole 140,000 customers’ credit card details; since then cybercrime has grown more sophisticated and casinos are often targeted as targets of attack.
These include DDoS attacks, phishing attempts, database hacking attempts, viruses and Trojans among many others.
Specific examples
There have been several significant cyber-attacks on online casinos in recent years.
An example of an attack against online casino MGM Resorts that can be used as evidence in this article took place in 2019 when discovered and resulted in the compromise and leak of personal information of approximately 30 million customers of MGM Resorts customers. This information had to be stored elsewhere before it could be made public again.
Distributed over Telegram were customers’ names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth; among those affected included celebrities, government officials and journalists. Hackers identified as NightLion had gained access to this data by hacking into Telegram servers.
DataViper, a data leak monitoring service, confirmed an attack which exposed stolen personal information which could potentially have been used for both phishing attacks as well as SIM card fraud. This incident was covered extensively in news publications including USA Today. Casino News Daily reported on these security vulnerabilities of major market players such as MGM Resorts International.
- In 2010, hackers compromised the Ritz Club London online casino website using malware and gained access to the CCTV system through which they predicted roulette outcomes – managing to win over PS1.3 Million before being caught and prosecuted.
- In 2014, hackers breached Betfair’s online casino site and stole personal data of more than 4.5 million customers including names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and credit card data – they then threatened to publish this online unless Betfair paid their ransom demand.
- In 2016, hackers broke into Casino Rama Resort, an online casino located in Canada, and gained access to personal data of more than 200,000 customers, employees and suppliers; including financial statements, contracts, medical records and credit card data. The hackers also stole confidential documents pertaining to Casino Rama Resort itself containing intellectual property that belonged to both employees and suppliers that included financial documents for employees as well as supplier payments as well as contracts between businesses that contained financial details about 200,000 customers who may have won at its games – these data breaches became known about after they came public containing details regarding what information had been stolen
- Hackers also threaten to sell or use data collected for blackmail and fraud purposes.
Implications for casinos and users
Cyber attacks against onlines casinos have serious repercussions that extend well beyond financial loss or service disruption; they may also compromise user trust while undermining corporates reputation over time.
Methods of cyber attacks
Types of attacks
Of all of the cyber-attack methods employed against online casinos, two are most widely employed:
- Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks: Hackers employ DDoS attacks against casinos by flooding it with numerous requests in an effort to make the site inaccessible, leading to loss of revenues and customers for the casino, in addition to possible physical harm being done to its hardware/software systems.
- Phishing: These attacks involve hackers sending false emails or texts posing as casinos or trusted organizations in an effort to persuade users into providing personal data such as login credentials, passwords or credit card numbers that they then use to gain entry to users’ accounts and gain entry. This data could then be exploited against them later.
Accounts to hack into, steal money or for other illicit means may also be opened with the intent to commit other illegal activities.
- Database hacking: these attacks involve hackers breaking into casino databases that store users’ personal and financial information to access it for sale on the black market, fraud or blackmail purposes or publication contrary to data protection laws.
- Viruses, Trojans and Malware: these cyber attacks involve infecting users’computers or casinos with special programs designed to steal information, intercept traffic or alter game results; collect money extort money or cause other forms of harm.
- Social Engineering: this form of attack involves hackers using psychological techniques to persuade casino employees or users to grant them access to systems, data or information they should not. Hackers might assume a false persona like technical support person when conducting these attacks; as an example.
Supervisor, colleague or friend to access passwords, codes, links or any other types of data.
Cybersecurity measures in casinos
Cybersecurity and casinos go hand-in-hand. Online casinos must continuously enhance their security measures to safeguard themselves and their customers against online attacks, with some measures including:
Data encryption: When used correctly, data encryption transforms information into unintelligible codes which can only be deciphered using special keys, providing protection from theft or leakage should it fall into the hands of hackers. Online casinos should utilize strong algorithms like AES-256 when employing this form of protection to safeguard themselves against potential data theft or leakage incidents.
SSL and TLS technologies enable organizations to protect their websites, databases and communications with users.
- Authentication and Authorisation: These processes verify the identities and access rights of casino users or employees to prevent unauthorised entry to systems, data or information. Online casinos should employ robust authentication and authorisation measures in order to avoid unauthorised access of systems, data or information.
Passwords, one-time codes, biometrics and two or multifactor authentication can all help ensure secure online interactions. - Monitoring and detection: These processes involve monitoring activity on casino systems to detect any unusual or suspicious activities which might indicate cyber attacks or intrusion attempts, enabling rapid response time when cyber incidents do occur and mitigating damage as soon as possible.
Online casinos should employ cutting-edge monitoring and detection technology such as network sensors, anti-virus software, intrusion prevention systems, behavioral analysis software and artificial intelligence systems for effective monitoring. - Training and Awareness: Training and awareness programs increase knowledge and raise awareness.Casino employees and users should receive regular cybersecurity training and awareness campaigns about cyber threats to help reduce human error as a cause for cyber attacks. Online casinos must hold regular cybersecurity awareness campaigns to inform both employees and users on these subjects.
- Users need to learn about cybersecurity best practices, rules, and guidelines.
Examples of successful strategies
Some casinos featured by the European Casino Association have demonstrated outstanding achievements in thwarting cyber attacks, as evidenced by these casino profiles:
*888 Casino: As one of the premier and trusted online casinos worldwide, 888 Casino employs state-of-the-art encryption, authentication and monitoring technologies to safeguard its sites, data and users. 888 Casino has received security certifications from various organizations such as Gaming Laboratories International.
eCOGRA, McAfee, TRUSTe and GamCare all recognize its high level of cyber security.
- Bet365: One of the largest and leading online casinos worldwide also takes great strides towards protecting its sites, data and users with security technologies such as strong encryption algorithms, two-factor authentication systems and intrusion prevention systems to safeguard all their platforms, users and information.
Bet365 also holds licenses and certifications from organizations like the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, Thawte and IBAS which ensure it abides by cyber security standards. - LeoVegas: One of the world’s leading and innovative online casinos that provides top-tier cybersecurity protection. LeoVegas uses innovative encryption, authentication, monitoring and detection technologies to safeguard its sites, data and users. In addition, this casino also employs cutting edge payment services.
- BET365 holds licenses and certifications from organisations like Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Danish Gambling Authority and DigiCert that attest to its high levels of cybersecurity.
Industry implications and future trends
Cyber attacks against casinos have an enormous effect on their entire industry as they undermine both reputation and reliability, risking losing customers due to failure in providing security and privacy; additionally they could face tighter legislation in terms of cybersecurity regulations imposed upon online casino providers.
Regulation, which could incur extra expenses and liabilities.
Cyber attacks against casinos have also helped spur innovation in cybersecurity technologies and practices that help online casinos protect themselves and their customers against further cyber threats. Online casinos must adapt rapidly to changing cyber risks while investing in future protection technologies to stay secure against attacks on their customer database.
Innovative security developments.
Some of the future cybersecurity trends that could affect the online casino industry are:
Blockchain technology enables the creation of distributed databases which store encrypted information blocks securely without altering them in any way. Blockchain provides high levels of transparency, security and non-exchangeability of its records storing them without alteration in any form – offering online casinos looking to demonstrate integrity and dependability with tools for creating smart contracts that automatically execute when certain conditions have been fulfilled, streamlining payment processes bonuses transactions in general.
Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence technology allows machines to learn, analyse and make decisions similar to humans. Casinos can utilize artificial intelligence technologies like this one to improve services by using tailored recommendations or anticipating customer behavior for real-time data analytics projects involving similar data analysis projects – or by even anticipating when players may choose another casino instead due to previous results of similar projects utilizing similar artificial Intelligence systems.
Artificial Intelligence can assist online casinos by improving user behavior and preferences, optimizing marketing strategies and increasing conversion rates. Artificial intelligence also aids casinos by improving cyber security measures such as detecting attacks as they happen while analysing incidents that arise to ensure better service provision and resolution rates for patrons.
Quantum Computers: Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) instead of traditional bits to process information and can often be much faster and more powerful than their conventional counterparts in solving difficult or complicated issues. Quantum computing offers new solutions to some difficult challenges which cannot be tackled using traditional computing platforms alone, including complex problems that cannot be tackled using traditional means alone. Quantum computers may bring both positive and negative consequences for online casinos, however. On one hand, quantum computers may help casinos improve their services through quantum computers; conversely they could bring negative ramifications by disrupting classical algorithms used for decision-making processes in casinos. But they can pose a threat to online casino security as their reviews could provide better and more realistic reviews of games mobile devices, more efficient payment systems, accurate analysis tools and accurate statistical reports. On one side they offer great services while simultaneously being potential threats as they could break existing encryption technology and bypass security features to break in and take over casinos’ accounts. Hackers gain an unfair edge against casinos through authentication systems that give hackers an upper hand.
Conclusion
Cyber attacks against casinos represent a real and grave risk to the entire online casino industry. Casino operators’s must remain alert for potential cyber security risks and take all appropriate precautions in order to safeguard both themselves and their customers against criminals who attempt to access sensitive customer data or breach systems; additionally they should keep an eye out for cybercriminals who attempt to gain entry through cracking systems or hacking accounts; these forms of activity must always be observed closely and monitored for. Cybercrime must always be vigilantly tracked down.
Attracting players with cutting-edge technologies and cybersecurity practices that will aid them in guarding against cyber attacks. It is our strong recommendation that players choose online casinos carefully, paying special attention to the security policies and measures being put in place by each casino.
