The online gambling market has significantly expanded across the globe during the last 5 years and millions of dollars get traded via these online gambling sites on a regular basis. These online casino websites automatically become a target for hackers across the world who are looking to steal financial and personal data and then leverage the same for their benefit.

There have been a number of cyber attacks on U.S. based casinos in the recent past and as a result the American Gaming Association (AGA) representing prominent organizations in the gambling community has written a letter to Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) asking them to put in place robust cybersecurity legislation that would prevent casinos from being so easily exploited. The letter encourages Congress to pass the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA).

Back in April 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives enforced two cybersecurity information sharing bills and both parties were in favour of them being implemented. The bills also received a strong show of support from the gambling industry. The AGA has stated that due to an advancement in technology, cyber attacks have now become extremely sophisticated and were able to penetrate the online security systems of a number of casinos in the U.S. The AGA urged the government to collaborate with the gambling industry and keep them updated on cyber attacks and newly deployed cyber threats that will enable them to upgrade their security systems and be better prepared to deal with hackers.

The letter from the AGA to the U.S. Congress says “The commercial facilities sector is dedicated to improving our capacity to guard against cyber attacks and help protect our customers from these threats. However, current law does not do enough to foster information sharing and establish clear lines of communication with the various government agencies responsible for cyber security. CISA will strengthen the nation’s ability to defend against cyber attacks and better protect all Americans by encouraging the business community and the government to quickly and effectively share critical information about these threats while ensuring privacy.”

Some of the other organization who threw their support behind the AGA and signed the letter before sending it to Congress included Building Owners and Managers Association International; National Multifamily Housing Council; American Hotel Lodging Association; International Council of Shopping Centers; American Resort Development Association; NAIOP, the Commercial Building Development Association; National Apartment Association; Real Estate Roundtable and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.