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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

4214 stories by Philip Conneller

English Football League Clubs Took Cut of Fans’ SkyBet Losses
September 29, 2022

English Football League Clubs Took Cut of Fans’ SkyBet Losses

Some English soccer clubs acted as affiliate marketers for SkyBet, accepting a percentage of their fans’ gambling losses, The Guardian has discovered. These revenue-sharing partnerships between English Football League clubs and the bookmaker were discontinued...

Written by Philip Conneller
‘You’re About to Lose!’ New Taglines Planned in Australia Online Gambling Ad Crackdown
September 27, 2022

‘You’re About to Lose!’ New Taglines Planned in Australia Online Gambling Ad Crackdown

Australia’s federal government is about to ramp up controls on gambling advertising, according to a “secret” report viewed by The Australian newspaper. The government will notify operators of its plans on Friday and give them...

Written by Philip Conneller
‘Cursed’ $22M Lottery Winner Kept Mound of Drugs in Fridge
September 27, 2022

‘Cursed’ $22M Lottery Winner Kept Mound of Drugs in Fridge

A lottery winner who “lost motivation” for life after winning AU$22 million (US$14 million), trashed his house and kept a large bowl of drugs in the fridge, according to court documents. Former plumber Joshua Winslet,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Trafficking Boat Capsizes on Route to Cambodia Gambling Town, Three Dead, Eight Missing
September 26, 2022

Trafficking Boat Capsizes on Route to Cambodia Gambling Town, Three Dead, Eight Missing

Three people are dead and eight missing after a boat carrying trafficked workers to the Cambodian casino hub of Sihanoukville capsized last Thursday, the AFP reports. Cambodian authorities said over the weekend they had rescued...

Written by Philip Conneller
Chinese Official at Center of Steve Wynn Lobbying Scandal Sentenced to Death
September 23, 2022

Chinese Official at Center of Steve Wynn Lobbying Scandal Sentenced to Death

A Chinese government official who allegedly recruited Steve Wynn to lobby the White House for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been sentenced to death in the northeastern city of Changchun. Former deputy minister...

Written by Philip Conneller
Alvin Chau Trial: Suncity Had IT System to Log Illegal Multiplier Bets
September 21, 2022

Alvin Chau Trial: Suncity Had IT System to Log Illegal Multiplier Bets

Macau junket operator Suncity Group had a computer system in place that kept records of illicit multiplier bets, the company’s former vice president of IT, Ali Celestino, testified Wednesday. Celestino is one of 21 defendants...

Written by Philip Conneller
Zia Park Casino Kidnap Video May Not Be All It Seems
September 20, 2022

Zia Park Casino Kidnap Video May Not Be All It Seems

Security video of a New Mexico woman apparently being kidnapped from the Zia Park Casino Hotel Racetrack, close to the border with Texas, is now being reevaluated by investigators. On Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, police...

Written by Philip Conneller
Alvin Chau Trial: Junket Kingpin Denies Online Gambling, Side-Betting Operations
September 20, 2022

Alvin Chau Trial: Junket Kingpin Denies Online Gambling, Side-Betting Operations

Former Suncity boss Alvin Chau has denied operating illegal online betting services that targeted gamblers in Macau and mainland China. In a Macau Court of First Instance on Tuesday, the fallen junket head also denied...

Written by Philip Conneller
Biggest Las Vegas Loser Terry Watanabe Will Be Subject of Film
September 16, 2022

Biggest Las Vegas Loser Terry Watanabe Will Be Subject of Film

In 2007, Terry Watanabe, a wealthy businessman from Omaha, Neb., lost more than $200 million gambling, mainly at Caesars Palace and the Rio. It’s a dubious feat that immortalized him as one of Las Vegas’...

Written by Philip Conneller
Rhino Sports Was Lucchese Crime Family Online Betting Op, Feds Say, Five Indicted
September 15, 2022

Rhino Sports Was Lucchese Crime Family Online Betting Op, Feds Say, Five Indicted

A Brooklyn-based illegal online gambling business that was allegedly under the protection of the Lucchese Crime Family offered bettors “twisted customer services,” prosecutors claimed Wednesday. Their policy was, “Do what we say or face terrifying...

Written by Philip Conneller