New York state casino central operation was hit by cybersecurity attacks

“On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Everi, the licensed operator of New York’s video lottery gaming central system, experienced a cybersecurity event that remains under investigation,” said Gaming Commission spokesman Brad Maione.

“The Commission has no indication that personal identifiable information was compromised. The Commission continues to monitor the situation.”

Also, two hospitals were targeted by cybersecurity attacks over the weekend: HealthAlliance Hospital and Margaretville Hospital in Hudson Valley. The cyber hack also impacted the Mountainside nursing home.

The two hospitals remained open during this diversion, and walk-in patients were treated and either released or stabilized, a statement put out by the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, which oversees the medical facilities.

“To address the threat and take the necessary steps to fully restore our secure network, on Friday, October 20, our IT experts shut down all connected IT systems at HealthAlliance Hospital, Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center.

“We then began standing up our IT systems, a process that is ongoing, but we have regained all necessary capabilities to resume full operations.  

Other casino operators were temporarily impacted but did not have to close down for an extended period.

“We shut down for a brief period. It got cleared up fairly quickly. It was all the same issue,” said James Featherstonhaugh, part-owner of the Saratoga Casino.

“It got everyone’s attention,” he added.

By Carl Campanile