Slots Down, Casino Rooms Empty at MGM Properties Amidst Epic Cyber Attack
MGM properties continued to deal with a cyber attack that has all but crippled many of their casino properties.
The hack has shut down most slot machines and room keys had to be manually created.
Guests have been relaying their experiences via Twitter and other social media platforms.
Scene in MGM Grand according to a TikTok user who said slots machines down and casino floor empty after cyber attack. She also says staff had to make and distribute physical room keys and an admin error caused her to walk in on another guest. Source: https://t.co/etNWW0S49y pic.twitter.com/ZgYkv1fD58
— Joe Tidy (@joetidy) September 12, 2023
Social media influencer Ariadna Jacob posted what to expect as MGM hasn't exactly been upfront in regard to this debacle outside of issuing a statement that they are working with law enforcement.
"Websites to elevators, ATMs, casinos, slot machines, and even room keys—everything’s affected. If you’re staying at Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, New York-New York, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay"
Breaking: MGM properties nationwide are grappling with an apparent cyber attack. From websites to elevators, ATMs, casinos, slot machines, and even room keys—everything’s affected. If you’re staying at Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, New York-New York, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay… pic.twitter.com/evexRCgsKf
— Ariadna Jacob (@littlemissjacob) September 12, 2023
The statement reads:
'MGM Resorts recently identified a cybersecurity issue affecting some of the Company’s systems. Promptly after detecting the issue, we quickly began an investigation with assistance from leading external cybersecurity experts.
'We also notified law enforcement and took prompt action to protect our systems and data, including shutting down certain systems. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine the nature and scope of the matter.'
As of Tuesday morning at 9 am local time, the cyberattack had lasted well over 36 hours. In addition to the Vegas properties, those in Detroit and Atlantic City, among others, are being impacted.
Chaos erupted at the MGM-owned Borgata Casino in Atlantic City Sunday night through Monday.
And here's the irony: Those with hotel rooms can't access them. Those with reservations can't access the website or call center to cancel them.
Even if you look on external travel-booking websites like Orbitz and Expedia, the Borgata shows as “sold out” for every day this year. Which simply isn’t possible, Victor Fiorillo of Philly Magazine noted.
Customers already staying there were unable to use their credit cards to pay for anything.
They can’t use their comp dollars. If you play a machine and win, the machines apparently aren’t printing out tickets, Fiorillo reports.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
