4 Queens/Binions computer systems down

Yep, another sign of their lackadaisical approach to security.

A quick survey of the 10 smaller area casinos (obviously the majors are protected) shows that The Longhorn, Silver Nugget, Jerry's Nugget and Four Queens/Binions are the only casino sites without certificates. Not a coincidence that Jerry's and 4Q/Binions have suffered multi-day outages which were likely caused by hackers.

I guess if we see the security on the website change, it will be a sign that someone there finally is improving things. One would have to expect that they learned an expensive lesson now, and securing things will become a priority. I hope!

 

The slot folks say that the points are being recorded and will eventually be added to your account. With all that's going on, it is a bit of a leap of faith!

 

While for sure, there is a chance that customer data was copied over in these suspected attacks, it would appear that they primary intent of the likely hack was to bring down their systems if they didn't pay the ransom. Hacks that are mainly done to steal customer data are "quiet" (not bringing down systems), and many times aren't noticed until days/weeks after the fact.

On the other hand, I'd expect that the likely low level of sophistication of the Four Queens I/T staff is such that they wouldn't even be able to tell if customer data were pulled in the hacks, especially when their first, second, and third priorities are just to get things running.

 

The good news is that, if this was a ransomware attack, they went after something smaller and alerted CET and MGM to possible vulnerabilities that they are hopefully addressing right now. I guess it's possible that they tried the others first and this was the one they could get through on as well, but either way, it should not happen again to a casinos of any reasonable size. Can you imagine if CET had to tell all their guests 'cash only' for the rooms and tried checking people in by hand for 2-3 days?

 

I think it is much more likely that CET and MGM have invested many times more in security, and are much more difficult to hack. Billion dollar companies don't need to see examples of the Four Queens to suddenly understand this threat. I'd bet that MGM's I/T dept has more employees (and contractors/ outsourced I/T) than the entire Four Queen's hotel/casino staff.

As far as your example of them too suddenly requiring customers to pay cash, it would be unlikely even in the event of an attack, as they would have recovery plans that would involve better alternatives. Billion dollar corporations are much better prepared for these things than Mom and Pop companies.

 

Who's to say that CET/MGM/whatever has not had (and paid for) one or more ransomware attacks?

 

You can almost guess where this will eventually go-Nevada Gaming will require some level of data security, etc. to either prevent a repeat of this occurrence, or at the very least, require these hackers to work a lot harder to attack casino data systems. The marginally capitalized companies will be priced out of the business, thereby consolidating the gaming market to the big operators who have been grinding customers out of what people coming to Las Vegas for years were used to, and now seeing disappear on an almost daily basis.

 

Or...

...the bug has been planted on multiple casinos months and months ago and they decided to go after the small guy first. If this was planted months ago - even a year ago, it could be deep inside their system. And, after watching the little guys suffer, you can bet the big guys might be more willing to play ball when it hits them sometime soon and have to pay an even bigger ransom.

 

Don, do you know if people can download their free play or does it require a trip to see a boothling?

 

As of yesterday, you cannot download the March free play. The personnel at the club booth do not have the ability to do it either. They were taking names of those who could not access their free play and making a list.

Hope they do something for the out of towners who won't be back later in the month, assuming the system is fixed by then, which may be a very big assumption.

 

Thanks, Don. I was thinking about making an appearance next week but that won't happen without my free play.

 

I'm also interested in whether you can use your monthly food offer and free play at the machines???

 

I'm now hearing that the promotion supervisor can load the free play.

 

We just got back from 4Q's.

My husband cashed out his cash back and got his free play loaded a couple days ago while we were there. He just asked at the club booth and someone told him they would load it.

That said though, the systems were hit and miss while we were there. The day before when he inquired, cash back and free play were not available. Whether he just hit a window where the systems were up and running and they were able to give it to him is anyone's guess.

 

We ate at Magnolia's twice, Chicago Brew Club and Hugo's. We were able to use our comp points at all three. BUT...one night at the Brew Club, we did hear someone mention the system was down. When we heard minutes later that the system was back up and running, we immediately paid our bill It was hit and miss.

Things could be way different now though, it's been a couple days since our experience.

I should mention though, the employees were great! They must be exhausted with everything that's going on but they were all upbeat and friendly. The drinks were great too! The bartenders kept us happy

 

So I haven't been on the board for a few days but by just what I was scanning over, I am assuming that we still do not know for sure what happened to their system. We are all still speculating and coming up with our own theories?

 

Yes they do. Got mine loaded yesterday. Thanks for the tip!
Note - you have to use it within 24 or 48 hours. I played mine within 2.4 minutes. Didn't want to take any chances.

 

Seems that way.

They are keeping it close to the vest.

 

I am going to speculate further that we may never know what exactly happened!

 

As long as I can play the Silver Strike machines when I get there in April
Actually the ransom guys could take them down right after they put the new St. Patricks Day ones in.. and then bring them back up before I go that would be perfect so I have a shot at Blue and Red Caps!