WATONGA – The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes have reopened the Concho location of Lucky Star Casino, but the other Lucky Star locations remain closed nearly two weeks after a ransomware attack hobbled the tribes and their businesses.
One day after Lucky Star released its own statement, Cheyenne and Arapaho Gov. Reggie Wassana issued a statement on Tuesday, June 22, calling the ransomware hack a “terrorist attack.”
“WE DID NOT NEGOTIATE NOR SURRENDER,” Wassana wrote in the statement. “These criminals have not, and will not, receive one cent from the members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.”
Wassana said Lucky Star employees continue to receive full pay and benefits while the casinos are closed.
He said the tribes are working with federal authorities and a cybersecurity firm to “track down these criminals” and “elevate our safeguards.”
“The C&A Tribes are no stranger to outside forces attempting to steal what rightfully belongs to us,” Wassana concluded. “Sadly, it describes much of our history. But history also shows we have an unblemished record of strength and success in the face of adversity. That is the defining characteristic of our tribe. In the face of adversity, we not only survive, we thrive.”
The tribes have not yet announced when the Watonga Lucky Star is expected to reopen.
A ransomware attack occurs when hackers infiltrate a business, agency or organization and block access to sensitive information. The hackers essentially hold the information hostage until they are paid a ransom; they sometimes threaten to leak the information if payment is not secured.