Casino.org The World's Online Gaming Authority Since 1995
Menu
Avatar photo

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

3519 stories by Philip Conneller

Las Vegas, bed bugs, hotel lawsuits, Luxor, Treasure Island

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...

Philip Conneller May 13, 2025
United Keetoowah Band, Keetoowah Casino, Cherokee Nation dispute, Oklahoma tribal gaming, Class III gaming

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...

Philip Conneller May 12, 2025
Taliban chess ban, Afghanistan gambling laws, Islamic law

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...

Philip Conneller May 12, 2025
Linong Ma, SkyCity Adelaide, Xiongming Xie, Zhuangqian Fang, casino junket lawsuit, Chinese high roller Australia

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...

Philip Conneller May 9, 2025
Karen National Army, Myanmar scam centers, Saw Chit Thu, US sanctions Myanmar

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...

Philip Conneller May 9, 2025
James Farthing, Powerball winner, Lottery arrest, Kentucky, Florida

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...

Philip Conneller May 9, 2025
Cedar Rapids casino, Linn County, Iowa casino referendum, Cedar Crossing Casino

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...

Philip Conneller May 8, 2025
Craig McIlquham, Hells Angels Ontario, Project Hobart, ‘Ndrangheta Mafia, Illegal gambling Canada

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...

Philip Conneller May 7, 2025
Richard Desmond, UK Gambling Commission, National Lottery contract, Allwyn lottery operator, Northern & Shell

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...

Philip Conneller May 7, 2025
Congyuan Guo, Philippines ransom murder, casino junkets, 9 Dynasty Group, White Horse Club, crypto laundering, David Tan Liao, Philippine police, online gambling dispute, kidnapping case

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...

Philip Conneller May 7, 2025