The SBTech-powered BetAmerica sportsbook and casino fell victim to a worldwide cybersecurity attack on March 27 and remains offline.
No other PA online gambling sites have been affected by the cyberattack.
Doug Harbach, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said their main goal when an incident like this occurs is to ensure no customer data and/or personally identifiable information was exfiltrated from the servers and no unauthorized activity occurred on patron accounts.
“Regarding the handling of the incident when it occurs, it is the responsibility of the operators to notify the PGCB and provide all available information about the nature of the incident. We will then work closely with the operator and its third-party cyber security experts to ensure immediate steps are taken to effectively respond to the incident.”
After resolution of thee incident, the PGCB reviews the operator’s after-action report to ensure appropriate steps took place to:
- Contain the threat
- Restore the website and systems to full operation
- Harden systems against future attacks
Email to customers confirms cyberattack
The home page for BetAmerica sportsbook and online casino says:
“Under maintenance. BetAmerica is currently unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and will be back online as soon as possible.”
This email went out to customers:
BetAmerica social media
There appears to be no mention of the cyberattack on BetAmerica’s Twitter or Facebook. As of 3 p.m. on April 2, they were tweeting about future plays for the Kentucky Derby. The only tweet that even hints at trouble is from a customer:
New Jersey hit, too
Bet America’s online sportsbook and casino in New Jersey is also feeling the effects. In New Jersey, the cyberattack hit other operators using the SBTech platform including:
- Resorts online sportsbook
- Golden Nugget sportsbook
NJ Gambling Sites reached out to Thomas Winter, senior vice president and general manager of online gaming for Golden Nugget, who commented:
“It’s premature to give an exact timeline, but we hope for the next 48 hours.”
BetAmerica at the bottom in PA
BetAmerica, through its partnership with Presque Isle Downs Casino, launched its online sportsbook in mid-December 2019 and its online online casino in early February.
Of all sportsbooks in Pennsylvania, BetAmerica ranked at the bottom for handle ($3 million) and revenue ($50,000) in February. BetAmerica’s online casino also finished last in wagers and revenue out of PA’s eight online casinos in February.
The coronavirus pandemic closed all brick-and mortar casinos in Pennsylvania. Online casinos, such as PlaySugarHouse have reported an uptick in play. However, sportsbook menus are thin due to coronavirus-cancellations to major sporting events.
