Casino.org logo Main menu

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.

Avatar photo

Senior Reporter

Expert since 2018

4213 stories by Philip Conneller

UK National Lottery Draw Delayed as Disney Film Crew Sets Fire to Studio
March 16, 2022

UK National Lottery Draw Delayed as Disney Film Crew Sets Fire to Studio

On Tuesday morning, UK National Lottery operator Camelot discovered its rebid for the £80 billion (US$108 billion) lotto contract it had held since 1994 had failed. To cap off a dismal day for the operator,...

Written by Philip Conneller
UK National Lottery Contract Given To Allywn Entertainment, Camelot Out
March 15, 2022

UK National Lottery Contract Given To Allywn Entertainment, Camelot Out

Camelot, the company that has operated the UK’s National Lottery since its inception 28 years ago, has lost out on the next license in a rebidding process. On Tuesday, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) named...

Written by Philip Conneller
Macau Casino Stocks Plunge as China Covid-19 Spike Tightens Travel Rules
March 14, 2022

Macau Casino Stocks Plunge as China Covid-19 Spike Tightens Travel Rules

Macau Health authorities said Monday visitors from neighboring Guangdong province will have to serve seven days quarantine on entering the gambling hub. That’s amidst the worst spike in COVID-19 cases since China clamped down on...

Written by Philip Conneller
Philippines E-sabong Cockfighting Continues Despite 34 Stakeholders Disappearing
March 11, 2022

Philippines E-sabong Cockfighting Continues Despite 34 Stakeholders Disappearing

The Philippines e-sabong, or online cockfight-betting market, will not be suspended, despite the mysterious disappearance of at least 34 people connected to the industry since last April. The Office of the President (OP) ordered an...

Written by Philip Conneller
World’s Biggest Crypto-Betting Site Founder Just Bought a $28M Melbourne Mega-Mansion
March 11, 2022

World’s Biggest Crypto-Betting Site Founder Just Bought a $28M Melbourne Mega-Mansion

The mystery buyer of a A$38.5 million (US$28 million) Melbourne mansion has been identified by Australian media as the 26-year-old cofounder of one of the world’s biggest crypto-betting operations. Ed Craven established community-based betting platform...

Written by Philip Conneller
Cambodia Releases 200 Striking Nagaworld Workers After UN Criticism
March 11, 2022

Cambodia Releases 200 Striking Nagaworld Workers After UN Criticism

Cambodia’s authoritarian government has released around 200 Nagaworld casino workers who were detained by authorities last month after picketing the casino in the capital Phnom Penh. Workers began striking three months ago in solidarity with...

Written by Philip Conneller
Alabama Lottery, Casino Bills Sail Through Senate Committee but Face Public Dissent
March 10, 2022

Alabama Lottery, Casino Bills Sail Through Senate Committee but Face Public Dissent

An Alabama gambling expansion package took its baby steps in the state senate Wednesday. The senate tourism committee unanimously approved the legislation, which would establish a state lottery and at least five casinos. It would...

Written by Philip Conneller
WSOP Bracelet-Winner Gal Yifrach Charged with Illegal Gambling, Money Laundering
March 10, 2022

WSOP Bracelet-Winner Gal Yifrach Charged with Illegal Gambling, Money Laundering

Poker player Gal Yifrach has been charged by US federal authorities with conducting an illegal gambling business and money laundering, according to a newly unsealed indictment. The Israeli-born World Series of Poker bracelet winner is...

Written by Philip Conneller
Paddy Power Radio Ad Banned for Garbled Terms and Conditions
March 9, 2022

Paddy Power Radio Ad Banned for Garbled Terms and Conditions

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a Paddy Power radio ad because the terms and conditions of the promo were spoken too quickly and too quietly to be intelligible to listeners. The offending...

Written by Philip Conneller
Little River Band Casino Project Asks For Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Backing
March 9, 2022

Little River Band Casino Project Asks For Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Backing

Supporters of a Michigan casino proposed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer not to leave them hanging. The project, earmarked for the former Great Lake’s Downs Race Track...

Written by Philip Conneller