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NETSCOUT Report Reveals Increase in Global DDoS Attacks

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At a time when the online gaming and gambling sector is increasingly facing cyber threats, the rise of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks has become a major concern. According to the findings from NETSCOUT’s latest DDoS Threat Intelligence report, the gaming industry – also encompassing gambling associated with gaming – has been a top target for DDoS attacks.

Historically, 80-90% of all DDoS attacks are related to video games and online gambling. The report reveals that over 100,000 DDoS attacks were launched against video game publishers, and more than 20,500 against gambling-related companies in 2023. These attacks are often launched during online gaming tournaments in an attempt to disrupt competitors. The extensive gambling activity taking place around these events also introduces the potential for financial gain in the event of successfully attacking opponents and their networks.

The victims, typically online gaming companies, suffer substantial financial losses and must exert significant efforts to restore their services. This increased vulnerability is due to the sector’s strong dependence on digital infrastructure, making gaming platforms prime targets for cybercriminals.

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Philippe Alcoy, security technologist at NETSCOUT, highlights a marked increase in attacks, often motivated by financial interests and the importance of comprehensive network visibility:

“It is clear that the situation is worsening, with incidents like the recent attacks against Blizzard Entertainment and Final Fantasy 14 in February and May 2024, where massive waves of traffic were deliberately sent to overload servers, thus harming the online player experience. These attacks are not just a minor inconvenience; they threaten the integrity and stability of the entire digital game ecosystem. While primarily profit driven, these attacks may also aim to harm competitors or occur in the context of disputes among players, particularly in networked games.

“In the online gaming and gambling sectors, where attacks can occur at any moment, having a precise mapping of network activity is essential to maintain service continuity and protect critical resources. To anticipate attacks before they cause significant damage, comprehensive network visibility is necessary to not only detect and respond quickly to incidents, but to also understand and analyse traffic.

“It is crucial that online gaming operators strengthen their security measures to guard against DDoS attacks, which aim not only to disrupt but also to destabilise companies economically and operationally. Attackers are exploiting the specific vulnerabilities of these digital platforms, often during peak user connection times, to maximise the impact of their attacks. Companies must therefore integrate DDoS resilience as an essential component of their security strategy, not only to protect their operations but also to maintain player trust – which is fundamental in this competitive sector.”

The post NETSCOUT Report Reveals Increase in Global DDoS Attacks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Ocean Casino Resort Launches Cardless Gaming Feature

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Guests at Ocean Casino Resort, a premier luxury casino destination known for state-of-the-art gaming, now have an easier and more convenient way to play. The resort launched Cardless Gaming, an all-new, fully integrated mobile experience, available via the Ocean Casino Resort Mobile App. Debuting as a first for New Jersey, this feature is designed to put the entire resort’s experience at guests’ fingertips as a one-stop-shop.

“The Ocean Casino Resort Mobile App takes our gaming experience to a new convenient level for avid gamers and fun-goers by providing a cardless option directly to the palm of their hands. By continuously adapting to evolving player preferences and utilizing advancing technology, Ocean solidifies its reputation as the premier gaming experience on the East Coast,” John Forelli, SVP and Chief Information Officer for Ocean Casino Resort, said.

The elevated player experience begins by logging into the Ocean Casino Resort Mobile App. Under “Account,” guests can scroll down to the “Cardless Gaming” section to select play slots or play table games. For table games, the final step is to simply present the QR Code to the dealer or Pit Boss. For slots, players have to select “Cardless Login” on the machine’s display and scan a QR Code to connect and card-in. Physical cards will continue to be accepted for those who prefer it, and in the near future players will also have a Cashless option to utilize. Ocean Casino Resort’s mobile app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Ocean presents an unparalleled gaming experience, complete with three high-limit slot (The Cove) and table games venues (The Loft and High Limit Table Games), two guest lounges for Ocean Rewards cardmembers, as well as pathways and wayfinders throughout the casino floor for guests to easily navigate between games. Ocean’s high-energy casino features exclusive ocean views, 1750 of the most exciting slot machines and 125 action-packed table games across 135,000 square feet of gaming space.

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Flutter Entertainment Announces Two New Appointments to Board of Directors

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Flutter Entertainment announced the appointment of Christine M. McCarthy and Robert R. (Dob) Bennett to the Board of Directors, effective July 30, 2024. Ms. McCarthy will sit on the Audit Committee and Mr. Bennett will serve as a member of the Risk and Sustainability Committee.

“Christine and Dob’s extensive experience in the entertainment industry will be an invaluable asset to Flutter as we continue to extend our leading position as a global online sports betting and iGaming provider. We look forward to welcoming both Dob and Christine to the Board as non-executive directors and benefitting from their unique perspective and industry knowledge,” John Bryant, Chair of the Flutter Board, said.

Ms. McCarthy is an accomplished entertainment executive and held several senior leadership positions at The Walt Disney Company during her tenure, most recently as a Strategic Advisor. Prior to this, she served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She joined Disney in 2000, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer, and also served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Real Estate, Alliances and Treasurer, prior to her role as CFO. She currently serves as a director of The Procter & Gamble Company and is the Chair of its Audit Committee and is a director of FM Global and the Chair of its Finance Committee.

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Mr. Bennett is the Managing Director of Hilltop Investments LLC, a private investment company. Previously, he served as President of Discovery Holding Company, a media and entertainment company and as President and Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, at Liberty Media Corporation. Before that, Mr. Bennett worked at Tele-Communications Inc. and The Bank of New York. He currently serves as a director of HP Inc. and Liberty Media. Previously, he served as a director of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., Sprint Corporation, Demand Media Inc., Discovery Holding Company, Liberty Interactive Corporation and Sprint Nextel Corporation.

The post Flutter Entertainment Announces Two New Appointments to Board of Directors appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Peter-Paul de Goeij Steps Down as Director of NOGA

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After five years as Dutch Online Gambling Association (NOGA) Director, Peter-Paul de Goeij has stepped down from his role.

Eric Konings, involved with NOGA since 2022, will be appointed as interim director. He will now hope to utlise his company knowledge and previous experience to steer the company through this transitional period. Further, Konings will be supported in the process of change by former Staatsloterij (State Lottery) CEO, Frans van Steenis.

“We are very grateful to Peter-Paul for his efforts over the past 5 years, in which he has excellently shaped the transformation from SpeelVerantwoord to NOGA. As a result, NOGA has been able to properly represent the interests of its members in a tumultuous period for the industry. We are confident that this line will be continued under Eric as interim director. However, we do not expect the coming period to be any less turbulent. That is why we as a board have decided to initiate the strategic reorientation,” Remko de Boer, chairman of the board of directors of NOGA, said.

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“The past few years have been hectic, with the opening of the Dutch online gambling market as the absolute highlight. I am now stepping down, but I am convinced that the sector will continue to strive for a safe and responsible gaming offer. That is and remains the best way to achieve optimal consumer protection. I thank the board of NOGA for the trust they have placed in me over the past five years and I hand over the baton to Eric with a clear conscience,” Peter-Paul de Goeij said.

“The industry is facing a number of major challenges in the current political and social climate, and I look forward to helping NOGA members with this. In addition, NOGA is explicitly exploring how the representation of the industry’s interests can be organised in a future-proof manner. I am pleased that Frans van Steenis is fulfilling the role of explorer to shape this process with me,” Eric Konings said.

“A lot is happening in the gambling sector at the moment. Licensed providers, policy makers and society benefit from more clarity and better cooperation. I want to explore how bridges can be built between all parties involved in the gambling dossier,” Van Steenis said.

The post Peter-Paul de Goeij Steps Down as Director of NOGA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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