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Reporter: 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.

Areas of Expertise

3565 stories by Philip Conneller

Mississippi River remains, Caesars Southern Indiana, Robert J. Eaton, forensic genetic genealogy, New Madrid County Sheriff

Body Found in 2022 is Kentucky Man Missing from Caesars Southern Indiana

Man vanished in 2022 after visiting Caesars Southern Indiana. Body pulled from Mississippi River 350 miles downstream. DNA and genealogy tech helped finally identify remains.  Human remains recovered from the Mississippi River in Missouri three years ago have been identified as those...

Philip Conneller June 6, 2025
Marcos Lopez, Osceola County Sheriff, Florida gambling ring, Racketeering charges, Public corruption

Florida Sheriff Known for Crime Scene Gaffe Arrested in $21M Gambling, Corruption Case

Sheriff Lopez accused of shielding illegal gambling enterprise. $21M gambling ring operated across central Florida counties. Lopez bond set at $1million, suspended by Governor DeSantis. A Florida sheriff who faced criticism last year for accidentally posting a crime scene image of a...

Philip Conneller June 6, 2025
Wynn Mayfair, Aspinalls Casino, London private casinos, Wynn Al Marjan Island, Gulf high-rollers

Wynn Resorts Acquires London’s Aspinalls Casino, Rebrands to ‘Wynn Mayfair’

Wynn Mayfair bridges London and Gulf high-roller markets Strategic move ahead of Wynn Al Marjan 2027 launch US casino giant Wynn Resorts has completed the acquisition of Aspinall’s Casino and renamed it the Wynn Mayfair, after the swanky London district where it’s...

Philip Conneller June 6, 2025
Harrah’s Joliet, Dana Bas, hotel assault lawsuit, Caesars Entertainment

Harrah’s Joliet Sued After Brutal Hotel Room Attack

Banned criminal entered Harrah’s despite prior exclusion orders Victim claims hotel ignored basic guest safety protocols A Joliet, Ill., woman is suing the city’s Harrah’s Casino and Hotel after she was violently assaulted and robbed in a guestroom in February 2024 by...

Philip Conneller June 5, 2025
Star Entertainment, AUSTRAC fine, money laundering, Alvin Chau, Suncity

Star Entertainment Could Be Wiped Out by Proposed $400M Fine

AUSTRAC demands record fine for systemic AML violations. Star risks collapse despite recent $300M emergency bailout. Casino linked to triads, junkets, and disguised spending. Australia’s financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC wants to put Star Entertainment out of business. The agency is asking a...

Philip Conneller June 5, 2025
Heart band, stolen instruments, Nancy Wilson guitar, Hard Rock Atlantic City

Rock Band Heart’s Instruments Filched from Hard Rock Atlantic City

Suspect arrested but sold one instrument before capture Heart calls instruments “extensions of our musical souls” Reward offered for return of priceless stolen gear The rock band Heart is offering a reward for information leading to the recovery of one of two...

Philip Conneller June 5, 2025
Fraser Downs, Horse racing, Barn closure, Rat infestation, Pest control

Fraser Downs Horse Owners Fight Closure Over Rat Infestation Threatening Racing Season

Horse owners say barn closure will derail the racing season HRBC proposes a carbon monoxide plan to avoid shutdown GCE defends closure, citing worsening rodent infestation A pest control order has thrown horse racing in British Columbia into uncertainty, as owners and...

Philip Conneller June 5, 2025
Treasure Island Casino, violent robbery, $38,000 theft, Shawn Eric Lewis Jr., Minnesota crime news

Treasure Island Casino Winner Beaten, $38K Stolen, Attacker Sentenced

Victim attacked outside home after winning at casino Assailants stole $38K in early morning ambush Judge rejects leniency plea despite addiction defense A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his role in a violent robbery that...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025
Las Vegas poker fraud, Jong Rhee, World Series of Poker, Lusso Auto Spa, Neelufar Rhee

Las Vegas Poker Player, Wife Busted in $57M Luxury Car Fraud

Couple allegedly scammed investors with luxury resale scheme Victims promised huge profits from exotic car exports Fraud funded gambling, boats, jets, and personal expenses A Las Vegas poker player who believed a financially life-changing tournament score was always just around the corner...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025
Julie Mitchell murder, Kansas Star Casino, Michael Wayne Thomas, Oklahoma City homicide, Teddy Mitchell gambler

Cold Case Murder Suspect Killed Self at Kansas Star Casino Mid-Police Interview

Suspect shot himself mid-interview with Oklahoma investigators Wife of gambler killed in 2010; baby left unharmed Shocking death raises more questions in cold case A suspect in the 2010 murder of an Oklahoma City woman committed suicide at the Kansas Star Casino...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025