Crown Resorts said a ransomware group had contacted the company, claiming that they had gained access to some files related to Australia’s biggest casino operator following a data breach at a file transfer service GoAnywhere.
“We were recently contacted by a ransomware group who claimed they have illegally obtained a limited number of Crown files,” a spokesperson of Crown Resorts said in a statement.
“We can confirm no customer data has been compromised and our business operations have not been impacted,” the spokesperson said. The company is investigating the validity of the ransomware group’s claims. Crown Resorts did not reveal the name of the technology vendor who’s responsible for blocking cyber security attacks.
Suspicious activity at GoAnywhere was identified by U.S. cybersecurity firm Fortra nearly two months ago, and has impacted many organisations including mining giant Rio Tinto.
Crown has faced scrutiny in recent years since damaging inquiries found it enabled money laundering, while COVID-19 lockdowns battered its profit and shares. State regulatory inquiries into Crown found it unfit for a gambling license.
U.S. private equity giant Blackstone Inc last June purchased Crown Resorts, which was as listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, in a $6.3 billion deal in June 2022.
Crown Resorts is Australia’s largest gaming and entertainment group that owns and operates two of Australia’s leading gambling and entertainment complexes, Crown Melbourne, Crown Perth and Crown Sydney.
A Reuters news report in November 2022 said Crown Resorts has been fined A$120 million ($77.3 million) for serious misconduct.
The breaches by Crown were extensive, sustained, systemic, and very serious, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission said in its report published.
Rival casino operator Star Entertainment Group earlier said a regulator-appointed manager would step in to run its Sydney casino after an investigation by an independent commission found it had failed to prevent money laundering and criminal activity.
