Kari Stout-Smith
General Manager/COO Cache Creek Casino ResortKari Stout-Smith is the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer for Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, CA. Kari’s career spans 25 years in marketing and casino operations experience in various leadership roles. She began her career in gaming at Barona Resort & Casino in San Diego, CA and spent 13 years working her way through the ranks in various roles including guest services, advertising, special events and casino marketing. Showing her versatility, Ms. Smith was recruited to train as a Casino Manager involved in all facets of the resort operations and credits this opportunity as a pivotal turning point in her professional development.
Her career path has included some of California’s premier properties including Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Morongo Casino & Resort and Agua Caliente Casino Resorts culminating at Cache Creek Casino Resort. Ms. Smith holds a bachelor of science in business administration and marketing. In addition to her rewarding work in support of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and a team of 2,000 employees, Kari enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog. She is an avid reader who also loves all forms of live entertainment events and festivals, particularly when travel is involved.
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Casinos Share Lessons Learned from Cyber Attacks
Ransomware attacks are on the rise globally and cyber criminal gangs have stepped up their attacks on casinos. In 2023 a record number of casinos in North America had their computer systems attacked, resulting in stolen information and disruption to operations. The problem just got real – the risk has now been escalated onto the radars of casino executives, investors, regulators, vendors, customers and employees around the world. Cyber criminals share information amongst themselves, it’s time for casinos to fight back and do the same thing. In this power discussion representatives from casinos that have been attacked in recent years come together to share valuable insights and lessons learned to help us increase awareness and understand the issues we will deal with when hit with a ransomware attack.