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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

US Virgin Islands Casino Commission Worker Sentenced for Embezzlement
December 12, 2023

US Virgin Islands Casino Commission Worker Sentenced for Embezzlement

A US Virgin Islands Casino Commission worker whose job was to advise on responsible gambling was sentenced Tuesday to 44 months in prison for embezzling commission funds. Stephanie Barnes, 64, was hired in 2015 as...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ex-New Brunswick Deputy AG Who Gambled Client Funds Faces Prison
December 12, 2023

Ex-New Brunswick Deputy AG Who Gambled Client Funds Faces Prison

The former Deputy Attorney General of the Canadian province of New Brunswick stole $481,148 from his clients while serving as a private lawyer. Now, Crown prosecutors in Moncton, N.B., are asking for a three-year prison...

Written by Philip Conneller
Crime Figure ‘Mr. Chinatown’ Hit with $54M Tax Bill in Australia
December 12, 2023

Crime Figure ‘Mr. Chinatown’ Hit with $54M Tax Bill in Australia

An alleged Aussie crime boss currently languishing in a Chinese prison has a monster tax bill waiting for him on his release, The Herald Sun reports. Tom “Mr. Chinatown” Zhou was a Crown Casino Melbourne...

Written by Philip Conneller
Radical Cleric Who Planned Crown Melbourne Casino Attack to be Released
December 11, 2023

Radical Cleric Who Planned Crown Melbourne Casino Attack to be Released

The convicted leader of an Australian terror cell who plotted with his followers to attack Melbourne’s Crown Casino and other sites could soon be a free man. Tunisian-born Australian citizen Abdul Nacer Benbrika was sentenced...

Written by Philip Conneller
Town Judge in New York Charged with Stealing from Court to Gamble
December 6, 2023

Town Judge in New York Charged with Stealing from Court to Gamble

A former justice for the small town of Moravia in Cayuga County, NY, has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny after she was allegedly found dipping her fingers into court coffers. Former Justice June Shepardson...

Written by Philip Conneller
Credit Union Manager Sentenced for Blowing Stolen $400K at Meadows Casino
December 6, 2023

Credit Union Manager Sentenced for Blowing Stolen $400K at Meadows Casino

A former credit union manager from Rostraver Township, Penn., has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. She was found guilty of embezzling $399,230 from her employer of 15 years before setting a fire to...

Written by Philip Conneller
PokerTribes.com Alleged Con Man Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot
December 5, 2023

PokerTribes.com Alleged Con Man Indicted in Murder-for-Hire Plot

An alleged con man who infamously tried to sell online poker to two Oklahoma-based tribes has been indicted in Nevada on murder-for-hire charges. Fereidoun “Prince Fred” Khalilian, who often falsely claimed to be an Arab...

Written by Philip Conneller
$2B Powerball ‘Pretender’ Will ‘Go to War’ for Winning Ticket
December 4, 2023

$2B Powerball ‘Pretender’ Will ‘Go to War’ for Winning Ticket

A California man who claims to be the rightful owner of the world’s biggest lottery jackpot has vowed to continue his fight for the $2 billion prize he claims was stolen from him. Jose Rivera...

Written by Philip Conneller
Casino del Sol Tucson Patron Arrested for Mass Shooting Threat
December 4, 2023

Casino del Sol Tucson Patron Arrested for Mass Shooting Threat

A disgruntled casino-goer was in custody Friday after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at the Casino del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. Michael McClernon told tribal police he had no recollection of threatening to drive his...

Written by Philip Conneller
Alabama’s White Hall Entertainment Resort Shuttered in Raid by State
December 1, 2023

Alabama’s White Hall Entertainment Resort Shuttered in Raid by State

Alabama's Attorney General's office spearheaded a raid on White Hall Entertainment Resort and Casino in Lowndes County Wednesday as part of a targeted crackdown on illegal gambling. The casino is one of dozens of gaming...

Written by Philip Conneller