UPDATE: A significant power outage at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas over the weekend has ignited rumors of a possible cyberattack among guests, but resort officials have swiftly denied these claims.
The outage, which occurred during peak hours, caused widespread disruption among vacationers and raised alarms due to ongoing cybersecurity concerns in the hospitality sector. Despite the chaos, essential hotel and restaurant services reportedly remained operational.
Guests experienced frustrating delays as power cuts affected slot machines and Wi-Fi, leading to long lines at check-in. One visitor described the situation on X, stating that staff had to hand-pay guests due to the malfunctioning systems, resulting in wait times of several hours. Another report indicated that the outage was linked to an internet failure rather than a cyberattack, which has become a focal point for anxiety following recent ransomware incidents at competing casinos.
A spokesperson for The Venetian confirmed that operations would resume shortly, emphasizing that front desk services and payment processing were unaffected. However, the incident has reignited fears surrounding technical vulnerabilities in high-end resorts.
This is not the first time Las Vegas has faced such disruptions. Last year, MGM Resorts experienced a massive system outage, causing check-in delays of up to four hours. Additionally, recent criminal activity involving stolen electricity cables has also raised concerns about the stability of power supplies on the Strip.
As guests at The Venetian shared their experiences online, many expressed their frustration and uncertainty about the incident. One social media user described ongoing issues with phones and slot machines, as staff worked to restore normalcy on the casino floor.
The swift response from The Venetian underscores the heightened awareness of cybersecurity threats facing the hospitality industry. As the landscape evolves, even minor outages are closely scrutinized, reflecting concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
In a related development, The Venetian recently settled a religious discrimination lawsuit for $850,000, further complicating the resort’s public relations landscape.
The situation remains fluid, with guests urged to stay updated on developments as normal operations are expected to resume shortly. This incident serves as a reminder that even luxury resorts are not immune to technical failures, and the implications of such outages can resonate far beyond the casino floor.
