The operator has confirmed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following reports on social media. The MGM Resorts website is currently down and visitors are greeted with a list of contact numbers. The specific systems affected have not been disclosed, but players have reported issues with retail slot machines and hotel room access on social media. MGM Resorts has reached out to law enforcement and cybersecurity experts for assistance and the incident is believed to have started on Sunday.
MGM Resorts stated yesterday (11 September), “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. This included shutting down certain systems. Our investigation is ongoing and we are working diligently to determine the nature and scope of the matter.”
In a subsequent update posted 12 hours later, MGM Resorts clarified that its properties are still operating dining, entertainment, and gaming services. On-site staff are available to assist customers with any issues. MGM Resorts operates 19 properties in the US, including locations in Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The number of impacted venues is currently unknown.
Last week, cryptocurrency online sportsbook and casino Stake.com experienced unauthorized transfers, affecting Ethereum, Polygon, and the Binance Smart Chain (BSC). Reports suggested that approximately $41.0 million worth of cryptocurrency was impacted. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has since identified the Lazarus Group, a cybercrime organization affiliated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as responsible for the attack. The stolen funds were moved to various virtual currency addresses.