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Reporter: Philip Conneller

In Philip Conneller’s eight years with Casino.org, he has covered the gaming industry from Las Vegas to Macau and everything in between. He currently focuses his coverage on gaming law, white-collar crime, global money laundering, tribal gaming, politics, and regulation.

Philip was the original features editor for poker’s Bluff Magazine and editor for Bluff Europe, which he helped launch. His writing has also been featured in ESPN, Forbes, Time Out, The Sun, and The Daily Star, as well as iGaming Business, eGaming Review, and numerous other industry news and tech websites.

His news stories for Casino.org/news have been linked by The Washington Post, The Daily Mail, People Magazine, and Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show, among many others.

Philip once won $20,000 with 7-2 off-suit. He has been reprimanded for unwittingly playing Elton John’s piano on two separate occasions on both sides of the Atlantic.

He became a writer because he is a lousy pianist.

Philip lives outside London with his wife and children, where he spends his time agonizing about Arsenal FC.

Contact Philip at philip.conneller@casino.org.

Areas of Expertise

2999 stories by Philip Conneller

Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts, Macau, foreigner-only, gaming zones

MGM Resorts Says Macau’s Foreigner-Only Gaming Zone Plan Was a Clunker

Efforts to introduce foreigner-only gaming zones at Macau casinos have fallen flat with international gamblers, according to MGM Resorts CEO and president Bill Hornbuckle. As first reported by Inside Asian Gaming, Hornbuckle said that the experiment, which was encouraged by Macau’s government...

Philip Conneller March 18, 2024

China Condemns Overseas Gambling as Breach of National Laws

The Chinese government has warned its citizens that gambling in casinos outside of China is a violation of Chinese law. The Chinese embassy in Singapore on Monday "solemnly reminded" Chinese nationals in the city state that they should steer clear of gambling...

Philip Conneller March 18, 2024
Watauga poker club, Joe Vongkaysone, Fort Worth

Watauga Poker Club Owner to Plead Guilty to ‘Organized Crime’ in Texas

The owner of the Watauga Social Lounge Poker Club in Fort Worth, Texas will plead guilty to one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and another of gambling promotion, PokerNews reports. A third charge against Joe Vongkaysone -- keeping a gambling...

Philip Conneller March 18, 2024
Iditarod, Iditarod betting, Dallas Deavey, Alaska, dog deaths

Iditarod Husky Deaths Renew Calls for Ban on Alaska’s Iconic Iditarod Race

A recent spate of dog deaths during Alaska’s grueling Iditarod mushing race has renewed calls to prohibit the event. The Iditarod is one of the few opportunities for legal gambling in Alaska. The state allows charitable sweepstakes on certain culturally traditional games,...

Philip Conneller March 17, 2024
Raymond Chan, LA deputy mayor, Jose Huizar, Casino Loyale

Ex L.A. Deputy Mayor Back on Trial in ‘Casino Loyale’ Corruption Case

The trial of former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan on charges of racketeering, bribery, and fraud was underway this week in a federal court. It’s the second time federal prosecutors have attempted to try Chan for his alleged role in a...

Philip Conneller March 15, 2024
Allwyn, UKGC, UK National Lottery, Sberbank, VTB

New UK National Lottery Operator Fields Fresh Queries on Russia Ties

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) failed to disclose to lawmakers that Allwyn, its chosen bidder for the £80 billion (US$100 billion) UK National Lottery contract, had outstanding loans from Russian state-owned banks, The Guardian reports. Czech company Allwyn took over the reins of...

Philip Conneller March 14, 2024
Entain, PartyPoker, BetCity, Enlabs, Ladbrokes Australia, and CrystalBet, Ricky Sandler

Entain Mulls Multiple Asset Sale to Placate Activist Investors

British online gambling giant Entain is looking to offload an assortment of its overseas brands as it seeks to pacify activist investors by focusing on its core operations. Activists believe a leaner Entain would be in a better position to be sold...

Philip Conneller March 14, 2024
Amit Patel, Jacksonville Jaguars, FanDuel, DraftKings

Jacksonville Jaguars Employee Who Stole $22M Gets 6.5 Years

A Florida man who stole $22 million from the Jacksonville Jaguars to fund a prodigious gambling habit has been sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison. Last December, Amit Patel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and engaging in an...

Philip Conneller March 13, 2024

Sportsbet Suspends Greyhound Betting Market Over ‘Racist Comment’

Australian-facing online betting company Sportsbet was forced to pull the betting market on the final race at Maitland Greyhound Track on Monday. That's after a “racist” message appeared in its live feed. The controversy surrounded a racing dog named for the Indigenous...

Philip Conneller March 13, 2024
Gene Cassano, Gino Cassano, Chicago Outfit, Elmwood Park Crew

Chicago Sweepstakes Operator’s Trial Sinks When ‘Organized Crime’ Mentioned

The case against the owner of a Chicago sweepstakes machine company accused of involvement in shaking down a victim over a loan collapsed last Friday. That's after somebody mentioned “organized crime.” Gene “Gino” Cassano, 55, and his codefendant, Gioacchino “Jack” Galione, 47,...

Philip Conneller March 12, 2024