Michigan Tribal Casinos Remain Closed Due to Cyberhack

Posted on: February 12, 2025, 05:58h. 

Last updated on: February 13, 2025, 09:56h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

• The cyberattack may have been caused by ransomware
• Operations are still closed
• Consultants were hired
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Kewadin Casinos have yet to solve a cyberattack that forced the shutdown of the Michigan gaming properties earlier this week.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians shuttered the casinos in the Upper Peninsula after what appears to be a ransomware attack.

They hired a consultant and launched an investigation to identify the cause of the attack, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Tribal Chair Austin Lowes blamed the cyberattack on some form of unspecified ransomware, the report added.

Reopening Could Take a Week or More

The technological glitch could be resolved “within a week,” but could “last longer,” tribal officials said.

“Gaming operations will be halted until further notice,” the casino alerted the public at the start of the week.

“We understand that this is inconvenient and unexpected news.” the tribe further posted.

Please know our experts are working around-the-clock to restore gaming operations,” casino officials posted on social media sites. “We apologize for this inconvenience.”

The incident began on Sunday. The decision to shutter operations was made hours later with gambling stopping at 7 a.m. on Monday.

It was described as a “data security incident that impacted our gaming operations,” according to a Facebook post.

Gambling in Sault Ste. Marie, Manistique, Christmas, Hessel, and St. Ignace were all shuttered. Other tribal businesses also were closed.

Unsure if Ransom Demanded

It’s unknown if the tribe was asked to pay a ransom by the hackers to free up their computer systems.

In 2023, Scattered Spider was behind the sensational hacking of MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment. There’s been no indication they played a role in the Michigan hack.

We immediately enlisted the help of third-party experts to determine how this incident was caused and to restore our gaming operations as quickly as possible,” the Michigan tribe posted in a statement. “We will provide updates as more information becomes available,” the tribe added.

So far, details on reopening have yet to be released.

One woman whose plans to visit the casinos were halted due to the hack wanted answers.

The woman, identified on Facebook as Kelli Lindsay, asked, “Where are the updates? I Reserved a room 3 nights this week and have not been able to cancel how can we contact someone about reservations?”