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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

4177 stories by Philip Conneller

UK’s Grand National Limited to 34 Runners to Make Race Safer
October 16, 2023

UK’s Grand National Limited to 34 Runners to Make Race Safer

New changes to the UK’s Grand National horse race next April aim to make the iconic steeplechase safer for horses and their riders. These include trimming the number of runners from 40 to 34 and...

Written by Philip Conneller
Dennis Rodman Ex-Agent Sues MGM Grand Over ‘Ketamine-Spiked’ Drink
October 16, 2023

Dennis Rodman Ex-Agent Sues MGM Grand Over ‘Ketamine-Spiked’ Drink

A California high roller who was Dennis Rodman’s agent in the 1990s is suing the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He claims his drink was spiked with ketamine in one of the casino’s exclusive VIP...

Written by Philip Conneller
Las Vegas Sphere Denies Displaying Israeli Colors in Literal False Flag
October 13, 2023

Las Vegas Sphere Denies Displaying Israeli Colors in Literal False Flag

The official X (Twitter) account of the Las Vegas Sphere entertainment venue denied Wednesday that it displayed an image of the Israeli flag, contrary to social media chatter. A viral video clip that appeared to...

Written by Philip Conneller
Tropicana Las Vegas Sued by $1M Watch Robbery Victim
October 12, 2023

Tropicana Las Vegas Sued by $1M Watch Robbery Victim

A Sacramento, Calif. man is suing the Tropicana Las Vegas and ride-hailing app Uber. That's after a robbery of more than $1 million in luxury watches left him with crippling injuries, The Las Vegas Review-Journal...

Written by Philip Conneller
Illinois Sweepstakes Baron Gets 5 ½ Years for Bribing Lawmakers
October 12, 2023

Illinois Sweepstakes Baron Gets 5 ½ Years for Bribing Lawmakers

The owner of an Illinois sweepstakes machine business was sentenced to five and a half years in prison Wednesday for bribing two state lawmakers and lying to the FBI. James T. Weiss denied greasing the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Gambler’s $21K Lego Theft Ends in Arson Attack
October 11, 2023

Gambler’s $21K Lego Theft Ends in Arson Attack

A self-confessed gambling addict stole $21K worth of Lego bricks from a store in Brisbane, Australia, before dousing the building in gasoline and setting it on fire, The Courier Mail reports. Laura Jean Richards was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Late Mafia Boss Paul Castellano’s Staten Island Mansion on Sale for $16.8M
October 11, 2023

Late Mafia Boss Paul Castellano’s Staten Island Mansion on Sale for $16.8M

The Staten Island mansion once owned by Gambino boss “Big Paul” Castellano is on the market for $16.8 million, The Staten Island Advance reports. Prospective buyers eager to own a piece of Mob history are...

Written by Philip Conneller
Utah Sues TikTok Over ‘Gambling’ Algorithms
October 11, 2023

Utah Sues TikTok Over ‘Gambling’ Algorithms

The State of Utah is suing social media app TikTok over its alleged use of algorithms and design features that mimic slot machines and “illegally bait children into addictive and unhealthy use.” The lawsuit was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Millionaire Pro Gambler Jailed for Murder Maintains Innocence
October 9, 2023

Millionaire Pro Gambler Jailed for Murder Maintains Innocence

A wealthy professional gambler -- sentenced to 18 years in a UK prison for stabbing a petty criminal to death in a pub parking lot in east London -- continues to profess his innocence. Supporters...

Written by Philip Conneller
New Osage Casino Pawhuska Opens in Oklahoma on ‘Sacred Ground’
October 9, 2023

New Osage Casino Pawhuska Opens in Oklahoma on ‘Sacred Ground’

The new Osage Casino Pawhuska held its grand opening Friday in the city of Pawhuska on the Osage Tribe’s reservation in Oklahoma, The Pawhuska Journal-Capital reports. The resort will replace an older gaming facility that...

Written by Philip Conneller