Online casinos have always had a target on their backs for cybersecurity attacks. They’ve become even more common in recent years, as hackers are trying to steal confidential data from casino site databases. This has led to a strong response from the online casino operator community. Casino sites are doing their best to improve their defenses and keep hackers at bay.
There are many ways to do this, including top-notch encryption technologies and advice from cybersecurity experts. Casino sites know how important player security is, and they’re doing everything in their power to protect their mainframe and their players’ confidential data.
Cyber Attacks Are on the Rise
As soon as hackers caught a whiff of how lucrative online casinos are, they painted a red target on many sites. Literally no online casino is safe from cybersecurity attacks, but the most popular ones are targeted more often. The good news is that reputable operators such as betFIRST have decided to fight back. They implement advanced security technologies and follow the advice of experts in order to protect the data players enter at the site and their finances.
Per some major publications, online gambling is the most targeted industry for hackers. It raced ahead sectors such as financial services and healthcare, as many hackers believe they’re easier to crack.
To some degree, they’re right. The market is saturated with thousands of casinos, many of which are just hitting the market. New online casinos don’t have the defenses established operators do. In short, they’re young and inexperienced, and that’s like an invitation for hackers.
Massive Impact
According to recent research, cyber attacks on gambling sites rise sharply during major sporting events. For example, the number of attacks during the European Football Championship 2020 has risen dramatically by 96% compared to the year before. Hackers most commonly use phishing schemes and credential stuffing attacks, in that way exploiting backdoors and stealing login information.
These kinds of security incidents are common, and their numbers are increasing. Hackers have meticulous plans to lure players in and steal their log in information. They use elaborate schemes by placing affiliate links or even designing whole websites where users share their logins unaware. This results in immediate hacks, and until the player realizes what happens, it’s already too late.
Online casinos are having difficulties with this problem more and more every year. That’s why many have decided to upgrade their cybersecurity features and keep the various types of attacks at bay.
Types of Cybersecurity Attacks at Online Casinos
Hackers use all kinds of attacks directed at online gaming sites. They never stick to just one – they like to shake things up with different attacks and make it even harder for a casino site to stop it in its tracks. Below are the most common cybersecurity attacks online casinos face.
Ransomware
Ransomware attacks work as blackmail. Hackers hack critical systems and demand money to release them. This happened in 2023 to MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, where both breaches were hit by ransomware attacks which led to a breach of data. It took them a long time to recover properly and restore faith among players.
Casinos update their security protocols to fight ransomware attacks and also partner up with expert cybersecurity companies for early detection. The best casino sites have disaster recovery plans in place should the worst thing happen.
DDoS Attacks
DDoS is the most common cybersecurity threat not just in casinos, but for all kinds of websites. Short for Distributed Denial of Service, these attacks flood casino sites with malicious traffic. By overwhelming servers with a flood, casino sites can’t work properly, allowing hackers to target other components in that fragile state.
Many have compared these attacks such as a sudden flood of vehicles causing a traffic jam on the highway. Normal traffic is impacted, which can certainly harm a casino site, especially one that works smoothly and thrives on top-notch traffic.
Credential Stuffing
With this attack, cybercriminals use automated tools to test user/password combinations. These tools work fast, and they often steal data accurately at online gaming platforms. The last large-scale attack of this kind occurred in 2022 when hackers stole nearly 70,000 casino accounts from a popular platform. They also made unauthorized withdrawals totaling over $600,000.
To fight this, casino sites are asking for stricter password requirements, encouraging their customers to create unique passwords and store them offline.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks often serve fraudulent ads and communication which has been carefully designed to mimic legit casino sites.
These ads can trick users into entering their logins or financial details, which are stolen immediately.
How Online Casinos Fight Back
Just because hackers target casino sites all the time doesn’t mean that operators aren’t fighting back. In fact, reputable online casinos learn from every attack and are willing to pay top dollar for new technologies in order to keep their websites safe.
The simplest way to fight hackers is by implementing strict password creation policies and using 2FA or MFA (multi-factor authentication). In this way, casinos will ask for an additional source of confirmation, which is usually your mobile device or wearable. In that way, even if the first filter fails, you’ll notice something is wrong on the second.
Nowadays, casino sites have widely adopted SSL and TSL protocols to keep sensitive data safe and sound. According to research, implementing 256-bit secure protocols reduces data breach efficiency by a lot, which is why online casinos use such protocols.
The top gambling operators also train their employees to recognize the signs of an impending threat. They collaborate with top-notch cybersecurity companies for the training, which often leads to a higher level of prevention.
Players need to be educated as well, which is why many casino sites have whole sections dedicated to better cybersecurity. By fostering cybersecurity awareness, players can recognize fraudulent patterns and, in that way, not sharing sensitive information which can leave them without money, or worse, without an identity.
