Areas of Expertise
3519 stories by Philip Conneller
Las Vegas Bed Bug Epidemic? Luxor, Treasure Island Latest Named in Lawsuits
Guests claim bed bug bites caused hospital visits, trauma Lawsuits say infestations found in multiple hotel rooms Luxor and Treasure Island join growing list of cases The Luxor Hotel and Casino and Treasure Island are the latest Las Vegas Strip properties to...
UKB Signs Oklahoma Gaming Compact, Eyes Return to Tribal Casino Market
UKB signs Model Tribal Gaming Compact with Oklahoma state UKB’s previous casino operation was shut down in 2013 due to legal issues Cherokee Nation not happy Twelve years after the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah, Okla., was shuttered over legal concerns, the...
Taliban Outlaws Chess Amid Fears of Gambling, Sin
The Taliban suspended chess, citing gambling and religious incompatibility Chess federation dissolved under Afghanistan's hardline Islamist regime Ban adds to growing list of cultural and recreational restrictions The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned chess pending further notice, citing “religious considerations” and...
Chinese High Roller Settles Lawsuit with SkyCity, Junkets Over Missing $4.84M
Chinese high roller alleged junket fraud after winning millions SkyCity and junket operator settled out of court this week Casino transferred chips without authorization, lawsuit claimed A Chinese high roller who sued Australia’s Sky City Adelaide and two junket operators in 2021...
US Sanctions Burmese Warlord, Ethnic Militia Over Scam Centers, Human Trafficking
US sanctions Burmese militia for cyber scams, trafficking crimes Karen National Army profiting from illegal gambling, scam compounds Victims coerced into fraud schemes in Myanmar border towns The US Treasury has sanctioned a powerful Burmese warlord and his militia for facilitating cyber...
Kentucky’s $167.3 Million Powerball Winner Arrested for Kicking Cop in Face
Powerball winner arrested after fight at Florida beach resort James Farthing allegedly kicked a deputy in the face during arrest Winner’s girlfriend also booked for disorderly intoxication at bar Just two days after a $167.3 million jackpot made James Shannon Farthing Kentucky’s...
Judge Mulling Whether Ballot ‘Error’ Dooms Cedar Rapids Casino
Judge weighs if 2021 referendum misled Linn County voters Riverside Casino claims ballot wording invalidates gaming license Cedar Rapids casino plans hinge on upcoming legal ruling The wording of a ballot referendum that ostensibly authorized gambling in Linn County, Iowa, could decide...
Hells Angel in ‘Ndrangheta Mafia-Linked Gambling Racket Shot Dead in Canada
Craig “Truck” McIlquham was killed in a targeted Burlington shooting He was central to 2019's Project Hobart bust Tied to Hells Angels, ‘Ndrangheta, and illegal gambling A Hells Angel gang member who was at the center of a high-profile illegal gambling bust...
Document Dump Blunder Gives Ex-Porn Baron the Edge in £200 Million Lottery Lawsuit
UKGC mistakenly disclosed 4,000+ documents in lottery lawsuit Judge allows most documents despite UKGC privilege objections Desmond claims £200M damages over unfair lottery contract loss Media mogul Richard Desmond has received a boost in his £200 million (US$267 million) lawsuit against the...
Casino Junkets Named in $3.6 Million Ransom Transfer Tied to Murdered Chinese Steel Tycoon
$3.6 million ransom paid for kidnapped Chinese businessman funneled through two casino junkets Victim Congyuan Guo was killed despite the ransom payment; his death linked to a failed $20M gambling deal Philippine police have named two casino junket operators who they say...