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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

Nevada Unions Go to War Over Proposed $1.5B Las Vegas Baseball Stadium
September 29, 2023

Nevada Unions Go to War Over Proposed $1.5B Las Vegas Baseball Stadium

The effort to bring a $1.5 billion Oakland A’s baseball stadium to the Las Vegas Strip on the site of The Tropicana Casino has sparked a proxy war between trade unions. A lawsuit filed in...

Written by Philip Conneller
Wirecard Fugitive Jan Marsalek ‘Led Russian Spy Ring’ in UK
September 27, 2023

Wirecard Fugitive Jan Marsalek ‘Led Russian Spy Ring’ in UK

Wirecard’s former chief operating officer, the fugitive Jan Marsalek, was an alleged spymaster who fed orders to five Bulgarian nationals accused in the UK of spying for Russia. The extraordinary allegation was made by the...

Written by Philip Conneller
‘Last Mafia Godfather’ Matteo Messina Denaro Dead at 61
September 26, 2023

‘Last Mafia Godfather’ Matteo Messina Denaro Dead at 61

Matteo Messina Denaro, believed to be the "capo di tutti capi," the boss of all bosses of the Sicilian Mafia, has died at age 61. Dubbed “the last Godfather” by the media, he was Italy’s...

Written by Philip Conneller
Natalee Holloway Suspect ‘Took Care of Things’ After Disappearance
September 26, 2023

Natalee Holloway Suspect ‘Took Care of Things’ After Disappearance

Dutch national Joran van der Sloot, the one-time poker player and the prime suspect in the disappearance of American Natalee Holloway, once made a startling “confession” to a friend, new court filings show. Two days...

Written by Philip Conneller
Crockfords Casino, UK’s Oldest Gaming Club, at Risk of Closure
September 25, 2023

Crockfords Casino, UK’s Oldest Gaming Club, at Risk of Closure

The future of Crockfords Casino, which claims to be the UK’s oldest gaming venue and is certainly one of its swankiest, hangs in the balance. The current owner, Malaysia’s Genting Group, has initiated a 30-day...

Written by Philip Conneller
Poker Player Bluffed Terminal Cancer to Get WSOP Buy-In
September 21, 2023

Poker Player Bluffed Terminal Cancer to Get WSOP Buy-In

A Vallejo, California man has admitted that he lied about having terminal colon cancer to raise the $10K buy-in to the World Series of Poker Main Event. Poker player Rob Mercer, 37, made $12,500 from...

Written by Philip Conneller
$2B Powerball Jackpot Plaintiff Says He’s Receiving Death Threats
September 19, 2023

$2B Powerball Jackpot Plaintiff Says He’s Receiving Death Threats

An Altadena, Calif. man who claims he is the rightful recipient of the biggest lottery prize ever awarded says he has been dealing with death threats since suing the official winner. Jose Rivera claims the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Circa Casino ‘Imposter Scammer’ Pleads Guilty in $1.1M Heist
September 19, 2023

Circa Casino ‘Imposter Scammer’ Pleads Guilty in $1.1M Heist

A man accused of stealing more than $1 million from Circa Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas by pretending to be one of its owners pleaded guilty Monday to one count of theft of...

Written by Philip Conneller
Missouri Man Shot Dad Dead, Hit Casino with Stolen Credit Cards
September 18, 2023

Missouri Man Shot Dad Dead, Hit Casino with Stolen Credit Cards

A Lake Saint Louis, Mo. man suspected of shooting his father dead went to the Ameristar Casino St. Charles with the victim’s credit card right after the alleged crime, The St.Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Joseph M....

Written by Philip Conneller
North Carolina GOP Unveils Standalone Casino Bill After Budget Fail
September 18, 2023

North Carolina GOP Unveils Standalone Casino Bill After Budget Fail

A new draft bill outlining proposed North Carolina casino expansion would authorize the creation of four casino licenses in the state, CBS17 reports. One of the new licenses will be reserved for the Lumbee Tribe...

Written by Philip Conneller