MGM Resorts International is struggling to contain the public impact of an apparent cyberattack that has continued to snarl business all week at one of the U.S.’s largest casino operators.
What’s happening: Roughly five days into the incident, slot machines are still out of order, digital room keys are offline and resort guests are slamming the company on social media for its seeming lack of customer support.
Why it matters: The fallout from the apparent cyberattack on MGM provides a rare glimpse into how damaging these incidents can be to businesses and consumers.
The big picture: Casinos and hospitality firms have become a target for cyberattacks in recent years.
Details: The IT outages are impacting MGM properties across the country — not just in Las Vegas.
Of note: Throughout the week, confused and frustrated customers have flooded MGM’s social media feeds with online reviews and comments trying to figure out if they can get a refund or if computer systems will be up in time for their weekend trips.
Yes, but: The website for BetMGM, the company’s online betting site, appears to have been unaffected and remains functional.
The intrigue: A member of the hacking group Scattered Spider has claimed responsibility for the MGM hack, the Financial Times reports.
Zoom in: A former MGM employee who left the company this year told Axios that the company restructured roughly 75% of its corporate IT teams in April, resulting in layoffs, and outsourced another IT team in July.
Between the lines: Public statements about a cybersecurity incident run up against legal obligations and regulatory scrutiny — making it difficult to communicate what’s happening with the public.