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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.

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Senior Reporter

Expert since 2018

4211 stories by Philip Conneller

Sports Offshore Operator Richard Sullivan Pleads Guilty After 14 Years a Fugitive
March 7, 2024

Sports Offshore Operator Richard Sullivan Pleads Guilty After 14 Years a Fugitive

Former fugitive and Sports Offshore operator Richard Sullivan has pleaded guilty to illegal gambling charges. His plea comes nearly 14 years after he was first indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston. Sullivan, 73,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Body Parts Left at Philippine Police HQ Linked to Illegal Gambling, Cops Say
March 6, 2024

Body Parts Left at Philippine Police HQ Linked to Illegal Gambling, Cops Say

The Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says the grim discovery last Friday of a sack of severed body parts outside its HQ in the city of Bacolod could be related to its crackdown on...

Written by Philip Conneller
888 to Bow Out of US Markets, Part Ways with Sports Illustrated
March 6, 2024

888 to Bow Out of US Markets, Part Ways with Sports Illustrated

Online gambling giant 888 Holdings appears likely to exit the U.S. B2C markets, citing operational costs. In a filing to the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, the group said it will launch a strategic review...

Written by Philip Conneller
Aussie Horse Racing Trainer Banned for Pulling Down Compliance Officer’s Pants
March 4, 2024

Aussie Horse Racing Trainer Banned for Pulling Down Compliance Officer’s Pants

An Australian horse racing trainer got wasted and pulled down a compliance officer’s pants and underwear in front of a crowd at the Kangaroo Island racetrack, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Unfortunately for trainer Todd...

Written by Philip Conneller
Louisiana Historical Horse Racing Illegal Unless Local Vote, Judge Says
March 4, 2024

Louisiana Historical Horse Racing Illegal Unless Local Vote, Judge Says

Historical horse race machines (HHR) are illegal in Louisiana unless they have been specifically authorized by local voters, a state court has ruled. That’s bad news for racetrack operators like Boyd Racing and Churchill Downs,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Jamul Casino’s ‘Legal Carnage’ Ends with Financial Penalties
March 4, 2024

Jamul Casino’s ‘Legal Carnage’ Ends with Financial Penalties

A federal judge in California hopes to end years of “legal harassment” against the Jamul Indian Village and its Jamul Casino by imposing financial penalties against the plaintiffs and their attorneys. U.S. District Judge Andrew...

Written by Philip Conneller
Iowa State Betting Scandal: Case Against College Athletes Implodes
March 3, 2024

Iowa State Betting Scandal: Case Against College Athletes Implodes

The case against four Iowa State athletes charged with felony identity theft in connection with a college betting scandal fell apart Friday when prosecutors asked for the charges to be dismissed. Cyclones football players Isaiah...

Written by Philip Conneller
Pace-O-Matic Lawyer Work on Virginia Skill Game Bill ‘Not Conflict of Interest’
March 3, 2024

Pace-O-Matic Lawyer Work on Virginia Skill Game Bill ‘Not Conflict of Interest’

A Virginia state senator -- who as a lawyer for skill-games manufacturer Pace-O-Matic fought the state’s ban on the machines -- is now helping to write legislation to overturn the prohibition, The Virginia Mercury reports....

Written by Philip Conneller
China Gives Free Lottery Tickets to Couples to Boost Birth Rates
February 29, 2024

China Gives Free Lottery Tickets to Couples to Boost Birth Rates

It’s a strange aphrodisiac. But the Chinese city of Xian plans to boost birthrates by giving out free lottery tickets to newlyweds, Reuters reports. City officials hope couples uncertain about the benefits of having children...

Written by Philip Conneller
Web’s ‘Clue Heywood’ Hits All 26 Arizona Casinos in 48 Hours
February 29, 2024

Web’s ‘Clue Heywood’ Hits All 26 Arizona Casinos in 48 Hours

An anonymous Arizona-based social media personality who uses the alias “Clue Heywood” has just completed the ultimate “dirtbag adventure.” Last weekend, Heywood, with his accomplice, the author and journalist Tom Zoellner, visited all 26 tribal...

Written by Philip Conneller