Online casinos have been the target of many cyber attacks over the years, and earlier this month, a Michigan casino chain was hit as well. The Kewadin Casinos chain discovered a security break, which led them to shut down all gaming operations until the matter was resolved.
According to reports, the security breach came in the form of a ransomware attack, affecting all gaming locations owned by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa. It was said that the hackers encrypted a device's file, rendering them inaccessible, and they demanded ransom for decrypting the files.
The casino operators were unable to access the company's computer systems and phone lines, and it affected customers for long days.
This is not the first time something like this has happened, but are cyber attacks on online casinos that frequent? And what can you do to protect yourself as you play Everygame Poker and other casino games?
History of Cyber Attacks on Online Casinos
According to Statista, in 2023, seven out of ten cyberattacks were ransomware attacks. More than 317 cyberattacks have been recorded in 2023, with millions of lives affected by said security breaches. From 2022 to 2023, ransom collections rose substantially, resulting in a $1.1 billion loss every year.
Another report by Worldmetrics claims that 70% of online casinos suffered from cyberattacks in 2023, which makes the online gambling industry the third most targeted among cybercriminals. Those attacks come at a great cost for online venues, as it has been estimated that the average cost of a cyber attack reaches about $5.5 million.
Two major casinos suffered such an attack a few years ago, which resulted in a $100 million loss. And while in the past, it was easier to pay the ransom and be done with the situation, casinos are now less inclined to pay the perpetrators.
Security teams are working around the clock to prevent such incidents from repeating themselves, but online poker players should still take a few precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their personal information.
How to Protect Yourself Online
Before you place any bets online, make sure that your personal and banking info is protected, so you will have less to worry about as you play.
- Choose a reputable online casino – one that is licensed and regulated, so you can rest assured the venue itself is not trying to steal your personal info. Before signing up, look up customer reviews and make sure that the casino doesn't have a bad reputation.
- Be cautious about sharing personal info – while you are required to share banking details and provide an ID when joining a casino, make sure that you don't share any of that info with anyone other than the casino operators. If anyone at the gambling venue asks you suspicious questions, report them immediately.
- Use an e-wallet if possible – to put another barrier between potential scammers and your banking info, you can use an e-wallet to place your bets. You simply link your casino account to the e-wallet instead of your bank account, thus making it much harder to steal your data.
- Use a secure internet connection – Avoid playing poker while using public Wi-Fi or unsecured networks, as it increases the chances of hackers gaining access to your account. Look for the "https" and the padlock icon in your browser's address bar to ensure you are being protected as you play.
In Conclusion
Online casinos are doing their best to keep you as safe as possible as you enjoy playing poker, but you still should be careful when playing poker online. If you follow our security tips, you will reduce the chances of your banking information being leaked, thus making your poker experience that much safer!