Newcastle cashless gaming trial hit by hackers in cyberattack

A cyber attack on the NSW Government-backed cashless gaming trial has forced the scheme to be shut down.

A cyber attack on the NSW Government-backed cashless gaming trial has forced the scheme to be shut down.

The digital wallet trial at Wests Newcastle leagues club was struck by hackers earlier this week, with patrons informed of the breach on Thursday.

The technology was installed on machines by Aristocrat Gaming, with a company spokeswoman saying the hack happened as the end of the trial was approaching.

She said an investigation has been launched into the attack.

“Aristocrat Gaming was recently made aware by Banktech, its digital wallet technology partner, that Banktech had experienced a cyber incident. While the investigation is ongoing, Banktech has advised that the cyber incident has not compromised any personal information belonging to any trial participants,” she said.

“As a further precaution, working with Banktech and Wests, Aristocrat ensured the swift deactivation of all relevant digital wallet functionality in the venue and has ended the digital wallet trial.”

The cashless gaming technology has been installed on 144 machines at Wests Newcastle.

It’s understood the attack involved part of the system being encrypted by an outside source, which could expose patrons to having their money stolen.

A spokesman for gaming and racing Minister David Harris said the government was “aware of an alleged cyber security incident involving cashless gaming trial in Newcastle”.

He said Cyber Security NSW, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the NSW Police were investigating the incident.

“The NSW Government has been informed that operators are assessing any impacts to patrons,” he said.

The Minister also defended a delay to the onset of a widespread trial of cashless gaming – one of Labor’s key election promises.

Premier Chris Minns had committed to a cashless trial involving 500 machines in clubs and pubs across NSW beginning on July 1, but that deadline won’t be met with a supervising panel yet to be formed.

“The NSW Government strongly believes any cashless gaming trial must have secure privacy and data protections in place,” Mr Harris’ spokesman said following the cyber attack.

“The NSW Government is committed to the establishment of an Independent Panel of Experts to oversee its broader cashless gaming trial.”

The trial began in October under the previous government after new technology, which uses Bluetooth to connect patrons’ mobile phones to machines, was installed on 144 of the Wests club’s pokie machines.

The digital wallet is downloaded onto a patron’s smartphone, where it is then stocked with cash from the user’s bank account.

The wallet can then transfer funds via Bluetooth signal for use on a poker machine, or to buy food and drinks.

Wests Newcastle and Banktech were contacted for comment.