Cyber-Attack on Ontario Casinos May Have Leaked Info

Gateway Casinos and Entertainment gaming sites in Ontario have been closed for over a week now, but they could soon reopen said the operator. However, tech expert, Carmi Levy, noted that the cyber-attack which led to the closure may have already caused a leak of personal information. But the operator is yet to confirm such a thing.

On Sunday, April 16, 2023, the leading operator of land-based casinos informed that it will be suspending operations at its 14 properties in Ontario due to a cyber-attack. Since then, the company has provided a few updates on the situation and that is working on resolving the issue. But it never provided an exact date for a reopening.

Datа Could Be Exposed

Mr. Levy said that one of the biggest concerns when it comes to a ransomware attack is that it could lead to personal data being compromised. In his expert opinion, this is a very likely result in all of the cases and in the Gateway Casinos instance as well. However, he also noted that currently, the operator was not aware of any leak of data.

The closure also affected Gateway Casinos London in the Western Fair District, which has now been closed for nine days. A local gambler, Ruth Hallam, was spotted in front of the closed property as she came by to check the situation. She shared a concern about the suspension, as it was unknown who perform the cyber-attack and how they will fix it.

Previously, the casino operator said that there was no evidence that the personal information of its patrons has been affected by the attack. It also noted that it was working with third-party IT experts to find the issue and determine if there was a leak of information. Mr. Levy said now their data was encrypted, and put behind a ransomware wall and have to find a way to access it.

The suspension of the casinos is also bad news for the host municipalities as they rely on their revenues. This includes London, which receives approximately CA$4.5 million per fiscal year from the casino. London Budget Chief, Coun. Elizabeth Peloza noted that the current closure will not have a great impact on the budget, but if it was a lengthy one would be a different story.

Latest from Gateway Casinos

At the start of April 2023, Gateway Casinos also reported that its My Club Rewards royalty program has been renewed across Ontario amenities. The program returned in a new version, allowing its many guests to play and earn points at the operator’s properties and redeem them in exchange for numerous premium rewards at its Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario.

In December, the leading operator again demonstrated its social responsibility in the province. Ahead of the holidays, the company made a generous CA$30,000 donation to the Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario. The donation will help expand the hospital’s Creative Art-Based Therapies in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care Program

Source: Bicknel, Bryan “Some casino sites could reopen this week after cyber attack, but it may already be too late, says tech expert” CTV News London, April 24, 2023