Gateway Casinos ransomware attack closed 14 Ontario properties

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment closed all 14 of its Ontario properties on 16 April 2023 after an incident it initially described as a system wide malfunction. The company confirmed several days later that a ransomware attack on its IT systems was the cause.

The closures covered sites including Casino Rama Resort near Orillia and the Western Fair District property in London. Casino.org reported that the shutdown began at about 1pm on 16 April and that the properties remained closed through the following weekend with no reopening date confirmed. Non gaming facilities at Casino Rama, including the hotel, spa and restaurants, stayed open, and scheduled concerts were postponed.

In a statement published on 21 April the company said it had experienced a ransomware attack, was working around the clock with third party cybersecurity experts to restore its IT systems, and had notified privacy officials, law enforcement and government regulators.

Gateway said there was no evidence at that point that personal information belonging to customers or employees had been affected, while acknowledging that cybercriminals often attempt to obtain such data, and said the investigation was continuing. Unifor Local 1090 asked the company to take proactive protective measures for its members, noting it was not known whether sensitive employee information had been compromised.

Gateway employs roughly 7,000 people. The Ontario sites remained shut for more than a week while the company rebuilt its systems.