Caesars, MGM Resorts out tens of millions after 2023 cyberattack | Casinos & Gaming

A cyberattack in opposition to two main Las Vegas on line casino operators, which a teenage boy is accused of serving to perform, triggered tens of millions of {dollars} in injury, authorities mentioned.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Clarke mentioned throughout a listening to Wednesday that Caesars Entertainment paid the alleged hackers $15 million to settle a ransomware assault that reportedly occurred in 2023.

The assault to MGM Resorts International resulted in about $200 million in damages, Clarke mentioned.

The teen, who’s now 17, turned himself in on Sept. 17 to face allegations that he participated within the incidents, in response to Las Vegas police.

Police didn’t specify which casinos have been focused by the suspect, however MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment have been every focused by giant “sophisticated” assaults in 2023.

The cyberattack in opposition to MGM affected bank card transactions and different computerized programs all through its hotel-casinos.

In addition to tens of millions of {dollars} in injury, delicate data, together with Social Security numbers, was additionally compromised.

Authorities suspect the teenager, who lives within the Chicago space, nonetheless has roughly $1.8 million value of bitcoin in his possession stemming from the assaults, however are uncertain of its whereabouts, Clarke mentioned.

“The level of sophistication he possesses and the criminal acts he is capable of cannot be overlooked by this court,” Clarke mentioned in court docket Wednesday.

The teen was launched to his mother and father beneath a number of restrictions after Wednesday’s listening to.