It seems that there’s an online security breach at large corporations every week. Sports betting apps are not immune, as DraftKings and other sportsbook operators have been hacked recently.
Hackers got ahold of usernames and passwords from at least one sportsbook operator. Players are reportedly locked out of their accounts while hackers change banking information and take out money.
While it doesn’t appear as though Nevada players have been affected, it’s possible — and likely.
Irregular activity at DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is one of the largest sportsbook operators in the US, even though it doesn’t operate in Nevada yet. Similar to the security breaches at Target and Hyatt, it makes sense that hackers would target their huge customer base.
To date, about $300,000 has been stolen from DraftKings customers. The company released the following statement about the security breach:
As of the writing of this article, only some DraftKings customers have been reimbursed for stolen funds. However, there are still some waiting.
Shortly after DraftKings released this statement, FanDuel Sportsbook emailed its customers, reminding them to take appropriate action to protect their accounts.
Fake BetMGM accounts
It appears as though the hackers started this campaign a few days earlier. According to ESPN, numerous professional poker players had their personal information stolen on money withdrawn using fake BetMGM sportsbook accounts.
The breach goes beyond sports betting accounts. Hackers were using banking information to open BetMGM accounts where they would withdraw money.
BetMGM is investigating this security breach. The go-between banking and sportsbook apps, Global Payments Gaming Solution, tells ESPN that “fraudulent accounts (were) set up at unaffiliated third parties using stolen personal information.”
Confirming that this was an outside hack, the online payment company says, “There has been no security breach or fraudulent accounts opened at our gaming business in connection with this investigation.”
Security breaches seem to be happening with accounts where hackers can withdraw funds. This is a good reminder always to be diligent about protecting any online and mobile accounts with access to money.
Secure your sports betting account
Unfortunately, it might be wise to assume that any personal online account for a business could be breached. Hackers could go directly to banking information or steal a person’s identity.
Online customers have a few safety options. If nothing else, there are steps to make which will slow down potential wrongdoers from accessing sports betting, banking, credit card and other personal information.
If you discover that their sports betting account has been compromised, you should immediately reach out to customer service.
Online protection tips
Sports betting sites recommend activating two-factor authentication. This method is when you must enter a password and individual PIN that is texted to you each time you log in. This system can be a pain, but it’s one of the best ways to protect an online account.
Using a strong, unique password will also help. While such passwords are difficult to remember, it will make it harder for hackers to steal your password.
Another strategy some use online to protect their finances is to limit how much money is in their bank account. Having a separate bank account just for sports betting is helpful in multiple ways.
A player can move money in and out of this account. So, even if there’s a security breach, the hackers can only access so much money. This practice is also a good way to manage a gambling bankroll.
Lastly, players should use a credit card instead of a debit card when possible. If a debit card with direct access to a bank account is stolen, the hackers can access all of the money in the account(s). It’s easier for individuals to deal with fraudulent charges on a credit card since there’s no direct access to money.
