Rolling the Dice on Cybersecurity? The Risks Gambling Companies Can’t Afford

• by Anthony Orjally
• Advent IM Blog

Rolling the Dice on Cybersecurity? The Risks Gambling Companies Can’t Afford

Cybercriminals see gambling companies as one of the biggest jackpots online. With huge volumes of financial and personal data, operators are prime targets – yet many are still unintentionally gambling with their own cybersecurity.

Gambling platforms are a goldmine for cybercriminals because they handle exactly what attackers want most… money and personal data. With constant transactions, stored payment details, identity documents, and behavioural insights, these platforms offer a rich pool of information that can be exploited or sold. Combine that with high traffic and real-time betting activity, and the sector becomes an irresistible target for attacks like credential stuffing and DDoS attempts.

Cyberattacks in the gambling sector are far from rare – in fact, a recent TransUnion study found that 7.3% of all UK gaming transactions were flagged as suspected digital-fraud attempts, the highest rate of any industry. For operators, this level of constant targeting translates into real financial risk: disrupted gameplay, blocked transactions, abandoned bets, and players losing confidence in the platform. Even a single breach or major fraud incident can trigger downtime, revenue loss, and long-term damage to trust within the brand, making security failures far more expensive than prevention.

*Gaming sector includes gambling games, such as online casinos and horse racing*

Compliance isn’t optional in the gambling sector. Laws like GDPR and payment regulations mean operators must always protect customer data. Failing to meet these standards can result in hefty fines, license suspensions, or even being shut down, while also exposing companies to reputational damage. Regulators are increasingly vigilant, and with high-value personal and financial data at stake, maintaining compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties, it’s a key part of building trust and staying in business.

In 2025, Paddy Power and Betfair were hit by a major data breach that impacted up to 800,000 customers in the UK. The compromised data included usernames, email addresses, parts of users’ home addresses, IP addresses and device IDs. Although the company confirmed that no passwords, payment card details, or government‑issued ID documents were exposed. Because this kind of “non‑sensitive” data still enables phishing, identity fraud and social engineering, the incident illustrates how even a partial breach can have serious consequences for user trust, regulatory compliance and brand reputation, underlining just how vulnerable gambling platforms are when protections slip.

Trust is the jackpot for gambling companies. Strong cybersecurity doesn’t just protect data, it builds confidence among players, reassures regulators, and strengthens brand reputation. Platforms that invest in robust data protection and proactive security measures can turn safety into a competitive advantage, attracting and retaining users in a market where breaches make headlines and trust can vanish overnight.

Cybersecurity isn’t optional for gambling companies. Breaches cost money, damage trust, and attract fines. Investing in robust security and training protects players and gives companies a competitive edge, because in this industry, trust is the