Cyber Incident Victim: Eurobet
Date:
Oct 2019
Location:
Italy
Summary
The betting platform Eurobet experienced a prolonged service outage, rendering its website and associated systems inaccessible to users across Italy, preventing account access. The company did not issue official communications regarding the disruption, though social media reports indicated the downtime persisted for multiple hours, potentially extending from the prior day. A suspected cyberattack was under consideration due to unverified claims from a Twitter account demanding an $80,000 Bitcoin ransom to halt alleged hacking activity targeting the platform.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On October 13, 2019, Eurobet.it, an Italian sports betting platform, experienced a sustained outage rendering its website inaccessible to users across Italy. The disruption reportedly began the prior day, with multiple users confirming inability to access accounts or load the homepage since October 12. Attempts to reach the site resulted in prolonged browser loading without successful connection, indicating server unavailability. Eurobet did not initially acknowledge the incident through official channels, leaving customers without explanations for the service interruption. The company’s social media accounts remained inactive during the outage—its Facebook page appeared unavailable, while its Twitter profile (@eurobetwet) showed no activity beyond July 1, 2019. Users expressed concern over the prolonged downtime and lack of communication, particularly regarding access to gaming accounts and funds.
The incident’s cause remained unconfirmed by Eurobet, though external speculation pointed to a potential cyberattack. A Twitter account unrelated to the company began posting messages on October 12 demanding Eurobet pay 80,000 USD in Bitcoin to a specified wallet to halt an alleged ongoing attack on its systems. These unsolicited ransom demands, while unverified, amplified user anxieties about malicious activity compromising the platform. No evidence emerged confirming data breaches, financial losses, or system compromises beyond the service disruption. Eurobet’s prolonged silence and failure to restore services within the first 24 hours exacerbated operational uncertainties for its user base. The incident highlighted dependencies on digital platforms for gambling services and the customer service risks associated with delayed incident transparency.