Following the release of the National Indian Gaming Commission’s (NIGC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) report, Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, provides a mid-year report on the state of tribal gaming in 2025.
On July 31, the NIGC published its annual GGR report, highlighting a record-setting $43.9 billion in revenue for FY 2024. This achievement reflects a 4.6% year-over-year increase, representing growth of $2 billion, with data collected from 532 gaming operations run by 243 federally recognized tribes across 29 states. In the NIGC press statement, Acting NIGC Chairwoman Sharon Avery remarked:
“This year’s GGR reflects not only the resilience of the tribal gaming industry, but also the dedication of tribal leadership in preserving and growing this important economic driver for their communities. The continued success of Indian gaming is a testament to the strong tribal governance and the sound regulation that protects the integrity of the industry.”
These figures emphasize the critical economic contribution of tribal gaming, supporting essential initiatives across employment, infrastructure, education and social services within tribal communities. Yet, as the tribal gaming industry’s financial impact continues to expand, so does its exposure to cyber threat actors aiming to benefit from this growth.
Over the past year, the industry has witnessed significant cyber incidents. In April of last year, a tribal casino was forced to suspend its operations following a cyber breach and advised patrons to monitor account activity for potential unauthorized access. In February of this year, one tribe experienced a ransomware attack that disrupted telecommunications and IT systems across multiple tribal entities, including casino operations.
During recent key industry events – including the OIGA Conference and Trade Show, the Indian Gaming Convention and Tradeshow (IGA) and the TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit – our team has also received direct reports of numerous cybersecurity incidents. These events have resulted in a range of financial, operational and reputational impacts for affected organizations. These forums have provided tribal casinos, gaming commissions and government bodies in Indian Country with valuable opportunities to share their cybersecurity challenges and engage with experts on effective threat mitigation strategies.
Given the ongoing and evolving cyber threat landscape, tribal gaming organizations must adopt a proactive cybersecurity posture – operating with an ‘assume breach’ mindset and prioritizing resilience. Robust measures are essential to safeguard infrastructure, player data, critical platforms and preserve tribal sovereignty. Recommended best practices for comprehensive cyber defense include:
As a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), we partner with tribal gaming organizations – including Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC), ShowNation, Tachi Palace Casino Resort – to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness, strengthen organizational security posture and ensure long-term operational resiliency.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to listen back to our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. Each episode delves into new stories, insights gained, best practices and key developments that are shaping the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity.
Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) service enables the independent gaming commission to test IT infrastructure for vulnerabilities
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the tribal gaming industry, supports Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC) with its proven Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services.
The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission is the independent tribal gaming regulatory authority established in 1993 under Chapter 16 of the Cherokee Code of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).Charged with the duty to ensure fairness and integrity of the gaming activities within its facilities, the commission enlisted Continent 8, and its cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, to conduct pen testing.
The VAPT service provides a comprehensive security assessment of an organizations infrastructure and applications. Often mandated by regulation, it helps organizations measure the real-world effectiveness of their security controls and incident response capabilities. Additionally, the service provides actionable insights, including prioritized recommendations and industry best practices to address identified vulnerabilities and strengthen overall cybersecurity posture.
Emra Arkansas, Executive Director at Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission said: We are sincerely grateful to Continent 8, especially Patrick Gardner, Anthony Engel and Jerad Swimmer, for their partnership and recognition of our ongoing cybersecurity initiatives. The Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission remains firmly committed to protecting not only our critical infrastructure but also the sovereignty that underpins our regulatory authority. In an era of growing cyber threats, safeguarding Tribal IT systems is more than a technical priority, it is a sovereign responsibility. With Continent 8s trusted expertise, we are proud to set a higher standard for cybersecurity in Indian Country, ensuring our operations remain secure, resilient and self-determined.
Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8 said:In response to todays evolving cyber threat landscape, the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission is working to establish a new standard in cybersecurity and we are proud to support this important initiative. Their proactive efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure reflect a deep and ongoing investment in cybersecurity resilience.”
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 added: “It was a pleasure collaborating with the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of their IT infrastructure. Their team has shown a tremendous awareness of the escalating cybersecurity challenges within the tribal gaming sector. It is encouraging to see both enterprises and regulatory authorities actively enhancing their cybersecurity measures.”
For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives or to schedule a no-obligation Cybersecurity Readiness Consultation, contact Regional Sales Director, Jerad Swimmer, at jerad.swimmer@continent8.com.
Continent 8’s Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan services enable Alea to further strengthen the security and resilience of its iGaming platform
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces that it has expanded its cybersecurity collaboration with Alea.
Building on its current programme of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) services with Continent 8, Alea – the award-winning casino game aggregator – has deepened its partnership with Continent 8 and its cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, by integrating Security Audit and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services. This strategic initiative further enhances Alea’s cybersecurity posture and underscores the company’s ongoing investment in the resilience and integrity of its infrastructure.
The expanded cybersecurity assessment programme delivers a wide range of benefits for Alea and its operator network, including:
Eduard Fumás, CTO at Alea: “Security is built into everything we do at Alea. We’ve always believed that operators and their players deserve the highest level of protection. This is why we’ve invested in strong encryption, fraud prevention tools and a robust infrastructure from day one.
“Working with Continent 8 has helped us put that commitment to the test. Their expertise allows us to validate and strengthen our systems with confidence. We’re proud of how far we’ve come together, and even more excited about what’s next as we keep raising the bar and building a platform that our partners can trust completely.”
Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8 added: “As Alea continues to grow and expand, its proactive commitment to maintaining a secure iGaming aggregator platform becomes paramount. In our ongoing collaboration with Alea, we remain dedicated to fostering and supporting their cybersecurity initiatives – ensuring that both Alea and its extensive partner ecosystem stay protected, resilient and prepared.”
Continent 8 will be exhibiting at SBC Summit Lisbon, from 16-18 September at Stand C80. To arrange a show meeting and explore best practices and strategies for advancing your organisation’s cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, explores the benefits of a cybersecurity checklist to safeguard your tribal gaming operations against emerging cyber threats and attacks.
Safeguarding your business can be daunting, and you might be asking yourself ‘where do I begin?’ To address this, we have prepared a cybersecurity checklist to help you identify possible weaknesses.
First, let us set the scene with the current state of play and why you need to prioritize cybersecurity in today’s world.
The tribal gaming industry is a vibrant and vital part of many Native American communities, providing not only entertainment but also significant economic benefits. However, this industry is increasingly falling under the crosshairs of sophisticated cybercriminals. These bad actors aim to disrupt operations, steal sensitive patron data and extort ransom payments. The stakes are high, with the potential impact extending beyond the casino floors to tribal governments, health services and community trust.
Cyber threats in tribal gaming are diverse and evolving. For example, ransomware attacks have become more prevalent, demonstrating a devastating capacity to bring operations to a standstill. A recent notable incident involved a ransomware attack that compromised all internet servers and data, with the attackers demanding up to $500,000 to restore services. These incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures tailored to the unique environment of tribal casinos.
The consequences of a cyber attack on a tribal casino can be far-reaching. Beyond the immediate financial losses and operational disruptions, there is a profound impact on the trust and confidence of the community. Patrons expect their personal and financial information to be secure, and any breach can lead to a significant erosion of trust.
To effectively combat cyber threats, tribal casinos need to adopt a multi-faceted cybersecurity strategy. This involves not just technological solutions but also organizational practices and policies. The foundation of such a strategy includes:
Continent 8, supported by our dedicated cybersecurity company, C8 Secure, is a trusted partner for tribal nations and gaming enterprises. Our cybersecurity services are tailored to meet the unique needs of tribal governments, regulators and casino operators.
Our capabilities include:
We are trusted by a diverse array of tribal gaming casinos and organizations, including ShowNation, Tachi Palace Casino Resort, among others.
Don’t wait for an incident to discover whether you’re vulnerable. By taking these proactive steps, tribal casinos can fortify their defenses, ensuring uninterrupted operations and maintaining the trust of their communities.
Secure your tribal gaming operations by accessing this detailed checklist.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
In the latest chapter of our Cultiv8 Employee Series, Jordan Holmes, Vice President of Human Resources at Continent 8 Technologies, sat down with Jason Magsoy, a Network Security Engineer based out of the Philippines.
Throughout the discussion, Jason shares insights into his professional journey, outlines his current networking responsibilities at Continent 8, discusses how he embodies the company’s culture and values and previews some of his forthcoming projects.
Hi Jason! Can you tell us a little but about yourself and your role as a Network Security Engineer at Continent 8?
I began my professional career in the IT industry in the Philippines and subsequently broadened my expertise while working in Saudi Arabia. I started from the ground up, initially running cables in ceilings, and progressively advanced to securing endpoints and networks.
At Continent 8, my responsibilities include configuring security solutions such as firewalls and maintaining a secure network for both Continent 8 and its customers. We consistently ensure that network security does not create bottlenecks by providing aggregated connections and redundant solutions.
How did you come to choose a career as a Network Security Engineer?
I was introduced to cybersecurity through firewalls, Network Detection and Response (NDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions without any prior experience, and I found network security to be incredibly fascinating. It ignited my passion for protecting devices from malicious entities. Achieving clear network traffic visibility and implementing the appropriate security solutions can significantly reduce the risk of intrusion by malicious actors.
What motivated you to join the Continent 8 team? What do you enjoy most about your job?
In my previous role, I was dedicated to configuring and safeguarding a single data centre and a limited network connection. The scope was quite narrow, and I felt my professional development was stalling. This realisation drove me to broaden my expertise in networking and security, ultimately leading me to Continent 8.
At Continent 8, I was introduced to an expansive network environment, secured by robust solutions and supported by a team of experts. I find my experience here highly rewarding, largely due to the team’s professionalism, expertise and approachability. Moreover, my time at Continent 8 has been marked by substantial personal and professional growth, which has been extremely gratifying.
Can you describe some of the challenges you face in your job position? How do you also stay up to date on the latest security/cybersecurity developments?
As a Network Security Engineer, I am part of a team dedicated to ensuring maximum network uptime for both Continent 8 and its customers. This is undoubtedly a significant responsibility, but one that I fully embrace, requiring constant vigilance and a meticulous approach.
To ensure I remain current, I am pursuing certifications related to the security solutions we employ and engaging in continuous education to stay informed about new and emerging features that could support our team’s objectives. Furthermore, I subscribe to Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) sites to monitor new vulnerabilities pertinent to our solutions and implement necessary patches.
How do you align with Continent 8’s culture and values of Active Ownership, Purposeful Creativity and/or Genuine Care?
I align myself with Continent 8’s culture and values by actively fostering an environment of collaboration, mutual support and knowledge sharing to ensure everyone’s success. This is accomplished by upholding our team’s commitments, taking full responsibility of my role and caring for the people, company and our customers.
Any final thoughts?
Continent 8 has provided me with an incredible opportunity to pursue the work that I genuinely enjoy, providing me with a deep sense of fulfillment.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Network Security Team: Bruce Craig, Michael Freitas, Rodrigo Suzuki and Christian Temporado. Your exceptional support and leadership are truly appreciated.
Global games developer deploys Continent 8’s Compliance Audit, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services to swiftly meet multi-state regulatory compliance requirements.
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with global leading Asian game developer, Rising Digital Corporation. Through this enhanced collaboration, Rising Digital has selected Continent 8 as its dedicated cybersecurity services provider.
Rising Digital, a current infrastructure partner leveraging Continent 8’s cloud solution for high-performance connectivity, high availability and uninterrupted uptime of gaming platforms, has established a strategic alliance with Continent 8 to enhance its cybersecurity program and standards. This initiative allows Rising Digital to utilize Continent 8’s complete suite of regulatory cybersecurity services, ensuring full compliance within each US state it operates in.
Rising Digital has successfully launched its cybersecurity program across multiple states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario, to comply with the specific regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction. In collaboration with Continent 8 and its cybersecurity specialist division, C8 Secure, Rising Digital has successfully completed a Compliance Audit and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services. These comprehensive regulatory cybersecurity services ensure compliance with local regulatory standards and identify potential vulnerabilities, providing actionable insights to strengthen the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.
Aimin Cong, CEO of Rising Digital, said: “We are delighted to formalize our relationship with Continent 8 for our growing iGaming operations business. With the utmost importance being placed upon compliance, performance and security, we believe Continent 8 is an excellent infrastructure and cybersecurity services partner.”
Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8, said: “We are honored that Rising Digital has placed its trust in Continent 8 as its infrastructure and cybersecurity partner as they expand their operations across the United States.
“At Continent 8, we pride ourselves as being a one-stop-shop provider of infrastructure, cloud, regulatory and cybersecurity solutions. Our services enable iGaming companies like Rising Digital to swiftly meet multi-state regulatory requirements, safeguarding their operations while providing peace of mind. We stand committed to setting the highest standards and value for cybersecurity and compliance services within the ever-growing iGaming and online sports betting sector.”
Continent 8 will be at SBC Summit Americas, from May 13-15 at Booth D750. Schedule a show meeting to learn more about the best practices and strategies for your organization’s regulatory cybersecurity requirements.
Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Director, Jerad Swimmer and Principal Solutions Architect, Anthony Engel, recently attended the 5th Annual TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit.
At the event, they were showcasing Continent 8’s multi-layered cybersecurity solutions designed to support tribal casinos and their cybersecurity programs.
In this blog, Jerad and Anthony share their key takeaways from the event.
Anthony and Jerad at TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit 2025.
Continent 8 – Proud members of the TribalHub community.
Anthony Engel (AE): The TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit, though smaller in scale, turned out to be an incredible event. We had the chance to engage with nearly every attendee and connect with vendors across various sectors. The event was exceptionally well organized, and its intimate setting allowed for more meaningful and impactful discussions.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): A standout feature of this event was the division of days into presentation sessions followed by an exhibitor segment. From 9:00 to 3:30, Anthony and I attended every session, which afforded us a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of tribal organizations and how we can support them.
Adding a touch of fun to the event, TribalHub included a bingo card for attendees, encouraging them to visit each booth. Many attendees voiced that this initiative provided them with a deeper insight into Continent 8’s comprehensive threat prevention, detection and response strategies, which they might not have discovered otherwise. We are excited to continue many of these discussions beyond the event.
AE: Given the cybersecurity-focused nature of the event, attendees demonstrated advanced cybersecurity knowledge. We shared how, as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), we are distinctively equipped to deliver a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem from a single source – ranging from DDoS protection to endpoint security, cloud protection and even mobile threat prevention. This integrated approach closes cybersecurity gaps that often arise with multiple vendors’ solutions and offers tribal gaming organizations a singular point of accountability for their entire cybersecurity framework.
JS: Indeed, as Anthony highlighted, the discussions spanned a wide array of cybersecurity techniques and strategies. In my conversations, we explored approaches to Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (see Jerad’s most recent cybersecurity blog on VAPT here), mobile endpoint protection, Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM), Security Operations Centers (SOC), Endpoint and Managed Detection and Response (EDR & MDR), as well as strategies to counter social engineering threats.
AE: From an event format perspective, as Jared mentioned earlier, we were pleased that the event organizers ensured the presentation sessions were accessible to exhibitors. This enabled us to customize our discussions around the pain points identified during these sessions and explore various strategies to address their current issues and challenges. It added an extra dimension to vendor-attendee interaction, which I believe the attendees appreciated.
JS: The summit was an exceptional platform for engaging and exchanging ideas with the tribal gaming community. Networking was a continuous all-day and all-evening affair, extending beyond the event into dinner and lounge conversations that really foster unrivalled relationship building.
Anthony and I are already looking forward to reconnecting with everyone at our next event – the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention! We hope to see you there!
Visit us at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego from March 31 to April 3 at Booth 724 to discover the benefits of 360-degree cybersecurity protection for your tribal gaming organization.
Don’t miss the panel discussion “Creating and maintaining a healthy culture in a new era of cybersecurity”, where Jerad will moderate a session with industry experts Frances Alvarez, Emra Arkansas, Jason Nichols and Scott Riley. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into data protection, regulatory practices and proactive cybersecurity strategies for tribal gaming.
Book a meeting at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention here.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. Each episode delves into new stories, insights gained, best practices and key developments that are shaping the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity.
Watch Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series
Continent 8’s compliance-driven infrastructure and cybersecurity services accelerate the launch of secure, resilient, zero-compromise gaming platforms
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, is pleased to announce its continued expansion in the US with the launch of its data center and managed and professional services in Missouri.
Following the approval of Missouri Amendment 2 on November 5, 2024, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is preparing the state for the launch of its regulated online sports betting market, scheduled for December 1, 2025. Continent 8’s first-to-market strategic approach provides Missouri online sports betting operators and suppliers with immediate access to Continent 8’s data center, along with a full suite of best-in-class services that facilitate the rapid deployment of secure, resilient, zero-compromise gaming platforms.
The US continues to be a strategic market for Continent 8, as it remains not only the fastest growing, but only end-to-end solutions provider for the gaming industry in the nation. Continent 8 possesses requisite regulatory licenses, certifications, approvals and registrations across more than 30 states, including Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and now Missouri. The most recent EGR Power US Rankings underscores Continent 8’s position as the premier service provider in the industry, servicing and supporting 95% of the listed operators.
Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, stated: “The approval of Missouri Amendment 2 highlights the continuous growth of the regulated and highly competitive US online sports betting market. We are thrilled to already be engaged with numerous customers and actively preparing their environments for the soon-to-open market.
“Our approach, anchored in regulatory compliance, ensures that gaming operators and suppliers are equipped with market-ready solutions to swiftly establish state-compliant, secure and uncompromising infrastructures, while providing ample time to optimize their platforms well in advance of the state’s launch date.”
For insights into Missouri’s online sports betting market, schedule a meeting with Continent 8 at NEXT Summit New York 2025 (Booth 7), from March 12-13.