Areas of Expertise
3799 stories by Philip Conneller
Ex-Wynn Resorts Exec Sentenced in Varsity Blues Case Wins Appeal
A former Wynn Resorts executive sentenced to prison for fraud and bribery conspiracy in the so-called Varsity Blues scandal has seen his conviction overturned by a federal appeals court. Gamal Aziz, also known as Gamal Abdelaziz, was given a 13-month sentence in...
Reno Casino Attacker Gets 40 Years for Injuring Strangers with Rocks
A Sparks, Nev. man who attacked strangers with rocks at casinos in the Reno-Sparks area, causing serious injury, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Troy Kellett, 50, assaulted three casino patrons on three separate occasions at the Atlantis Resort in...
Aspinall’s 54% ‘Chinese Firewater’ Led to £600K Loss, Gambler Claims
A gambler sued by London’s exclusive Aspinall’s Casino for a £600K (US$750k) baccarat debt is taking a stand. Lester Hui claims he was plied with 54% proof “Chinese firewater” by one of the casino’s senior executives, leaving him “too drunk to gamble.”...
Harrah’s Joliet Accused Murderer Prowled Casino for Two Days, Court Hears
A man accused of brutally murdering a stranger at Harrah’s Joliet was permitted to wander the casino for two days without being challenged, a jury in Will County, Ill. heard. Robert Watson allegedly stabbed 76-year-old Emmanuel “Sam” Burgarino 26 times in a...
Iowa College Athletes Caught Up in Investigation, Dozens May Have Bet
The University of Iowa and Iowa State have notified the NCCA of multiple suspected violations of sports betting rules by their athletes. Iowa said Monday that more than two dozen athletes across five sports – baseball, basketball, football, track and field, and...
Caesars Allies with Tribes for Maine Mobile Sports Betting
Maine’s four federally recognized tribes have inked an exclusive deal with Caesars to bring mobile sports betting to the state. It’s the first such agreement since Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed legislation legalizing sportsbooks last spring. That was an important moment for...
Alabama Head Baseball Coach Fired Amid Betting Conspiracy Probe
The University of Alabama has fired its head baseball coach, Brad Bohannon, following reports of suspicious betting activity around last Friday’s LSU-Alabama game in Baton Rouge, La. While university officials have given no specific reason for the dismissal, multiple sources with knowledge...
Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham Heads to Las Vegas for ‘Monster’ Party
Ryan Reynolds’ and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham AFC is coming to Las Vegas. Fresh from securing promotion from the semi-professional National League, the fifth tier of English soccer, the team boarded a flight for America’s gambling capital Wednesday. It’s part of an all-expenses...
Nevada Regulators Approve Marriott Pop-Up Casino in Tent
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has recommended the approval of a gaming license for a no-frills “pop-up” casino that will exist for eight hours in a tent on a street corner a stone’s throw from the Las Vegas Convention Center. The...
Sol Kerzner’s Fish River Sun Resort ‘Plundered Beyond Recognition’ by Gangs
A former casino resort built by the late South African gambling mogul Sol Kerzner has been invaded and “looted and stripped” by local gangs, according to Moneyweb, a South African financial and business news site. Kerzner, who died in March 2020, opened...