Cybercrime has become a crucial topic for igamers across the world given the recent hacking of renowned crypto betting platform Stake.com, as well as the hit on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. This comes as global leaders in igaming and sports betting converge in Spain for the much-anticipated SBC Summit Barcelona 2023 from 19-21 September. With 95 countries represented and some 15,000 industry professionals in attendance, it promises to be the conference of the year for the industry. From Ghana to South Africa, Canada, Brazil, and the US – representatives from most regions are in attendance.
Crucial topics and workshops to be covered at the summit include cybercrime and identity theft; the influence of gamification and streaming on sports betting; AI disruptions on slot design; and new convergence challenges. The discussion on cybercrime could not come any sooner as online criminals continue to lurk just about everywhere -making online security a crucial topic.
What we do know is that there are some 2 billion people that have gambled worldwide – that’s 26% of the world’s population. Given how substantial this market is, the importance of cyber-related crimes should not be neglected or overlooked.
Looking at what transpired early in September – with targeted hacks at renowned betting platforms, perpetrators have become unhinged in their attempts. Stake.com was hacked and over $40 million stolen, and these funds were allegedly converted to Ethereum and transferred to other externally owned crypto addresses. The matter is being investigated by federal authorities. Not even a few days later, another cybercrime in the industry was reported on 15 September. Hackers made off with 6 terabytes of data from casinos giants MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment, according to a report by Reuters. While the matter is being investigated, it is worrying from both an operator’s perspective and from the players’ side.
Given all of this, the summit could not have come at a more ideal time. As industry experts meet, it would be beneficial to see what comes out of it relating to cybercrime solutions going forward. At MDC – a division of OneTwenty Group – our team takes cybersecurity seriously. This is why we go to great reviewing lengths to recommend only the best sports and casinos sites with enhanced cybersecurity measures and encryption solutions from leading providers. As an affiliate site, MDC thoroughly vets hundreds of online casinos via in-depth screening analyses, safety and security checks, inspection of valid gaming licenses, and verification of fair casino games from top software providers to ensure players can find the most reputable and regulated brands.
While many providers also gather at the SBC Summit this week, igamers are eager to hear what comes out of it, not only from a cybercrime perspective, but also in relation to AI disruptions and new convergence challenges.
On the sidelines, there are plenty of networking sessions lined up at the summit as well as social gatherings and gaming exhibition zones featuring new product innovations and more. This renowned summit will also include the SBC Awards – where it recognizes and rewards innovation and expertise in the industry.
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MDC (https://www.minimumdepositcasinos.org/) – a division of OneTwenty Group - is a leading one-stop igaming information resource portal globally. It focuses on helping players find the most trusted and reputable sports and online casino sites. MDC thoroughly vets hundreds of online casinos via in-depth screening analyses, safety and security checks, inspection of valid gaming licenses, and verification of fair casino games from top software providers to ensure players can find the most reputable and regulated brands.