Kewadin Casinos in Michigan remain closed following a severe cyberattack that forced the shutdown of multiple gaming properties earlier this week. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which operates the casinos in the Upper Peninsula, has confirmed that the attack appears to be a ransomware incident.
Investigation Underway as Tribe Works to Restore Operations
The tribe has enlisted cybersecurity consultants to investigate the breach and determine the extent of the attack. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Tribal Chair Austin Lowes attributed the disruption to an unspecified ransomware attack.
Officials are working diligently to restore operations but caution that the process could take at least a week, possibly longer. In an official statement, Kewadin Casinos assured customers that they are making every effort to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Casino Closures Impact Multiple Locations
The cyberattack led to the closure of all Kewadin Casino properties, including those in Sault Ste. Marie, Manistique, Christmas, Hessel, and St. Ignace. Additionally, several other tribal businesses were forced to shut down due to the security breach.
Casino representatives initially informed the public via social media, stating, “Gaming operations will be halted until further notice. We understand that this is inconvenient and unexpected news.” They further reassured patrons, “Our experts are working around the clock to restore gaming operations. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Ransom Demands Still Unclear
As of now, it remains uncertain whether the hackers have issued a ransom demand. In recent years, major casino operators such as MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment have fallen victim to ransomware attacks, with hacking groups like Scattered Spider taking responsibility. However, there is no indication that the same group is behind the Kewadin Casinos breach.
The incident began on Sunday, with gaming operations ceasing at 7 a.m. on Monday. In a Facebook update, the tribe described the situation as a “data security incident that impacted our gaming operations.” Officials have yet to release a concrete timeline for reopening.
Customers Frustrated by Lack of Updates
Many casino patrons have expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding reservations and cancellations. One affected visitor, Kelli Lindsay, commented on Facebook, “Where are the updates? I reserved a room for three nights this week and have not been able to cancel. How can we contact someone about reservations?”
As the investigation continues, customers are urged to monitor Kewadin Casinos’ official social media pages and website for further updates.
Stay tuned for more developments on this ongoing cybersecurity incident.