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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

4182 stories by Philip Conneller

Georgia Pols Hope Gift Card Plan Will Eliminate Illegal Machine Payouts
March 10, 2021

Georgia Pols Hope Gift Card Plan Will Eliminate Illegal Machine Payouts

Georgia’s coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs) have surged in popularity since the state lottery began licensing and regulating the games in 2013. Georgians wagered $3 billion during the last fiscal year on COAMs, which are like...

Written by Philip Conneller
Lawsuit Filed Over Alabama Gambling Bill is ‘a Lie,’ Says Lawmaker
March 9, 2021

Lawsuit Filed Over Alabama Gambling Bill is ‘a Lie,’ Says Lawmaker

A lawsuit attacking Alabama gambling expansion legislation contains explosive allegations that are untrue, according to the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Del Marsh (R-12th). The complaint accuses Marsh of taking kickbacks from the Poarch Band of...

Written by Philip Conneller
Malta Chief Gaming Regulator Charged, Tied to Casino Owner in Journalist Murder
March 8, 2021

Malta Chief Gaming Regulator Charged, Tied to Casino Owner in Journalist Murder

Former Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) CEO Heathcliff Farrugia was quietly charged with corruption in January. The nation’s chief gaming regulator is accused of trading in influence with Yorgen Fenech, the casino owner and businessman suspected...

Written by Philip Conneller
‘Anti-Masker’ Kicked Out of Harrah’s New Orleans Casino Went on to Kill Cop
March 5, 2021

‘Anti-Masker’ Kicked Out of Harrah’s New Orleans Casino Went on to Kill Cop

A New Orleans man suspected of shooting to death a Tulane University police officer outside a high school basketball game last Friday evening was removed from Harrah’s New Orleans casino for not wearing a mask...

Written by Philip Conneller
Imperial Pacific Faces License Suspension, Controversial Company Owes Island Millions
March 5, 2021

Imperial Pacific Faces License Suspension, Controversial Company Owes Island Millions

Officials in Saipan are finally losing patience with Imperial Pacific (IPI). The Chinese company has, for the past five years, been building the impossibly lavish Imperial Palace Casino in the US territory in the western...

Written by Philip Conneller
Suffolk Downs $3 Billion RICO Case Vs. Wynn Resorts Quashed in Federal Appeals Court
March 4, 2021

Suffolk Downs $3 Billion RICO Case Vs. Wynn Resorts Quashed in Federal Appeals Court

A federal appellate court on Wednesday killed a case filed by the former owner of Suffolk Downs racecourse in East Boston, that accused Wynn Resorts of racketeering in its pursuit of a casino license in...

Written by Philip Conneller
Taiwan Indicts Billionaire Accused of Running Vast Illegal Online Gambling Empire
March 3, 2021

Taiwan Indicts Billionaire Accused of Running Vast Illegal Online Gambling Empire

Taiwanese authorities have indicted the billionaire chairman of Taichung-based company Xinliwang International Holdings on charges of illegal gambling and money laundering. Chuang Chou-wen and 31 of his employees are accused of operating a vast online...

Written by Philip Conneller
Venetian Las Vegas to be Sold to Private Equity Firm Apollo Global, VICI for $6 Billion
March 3, 2021

Venetian Las Vegas to be Sold to Private Equity Firm Apollo Global, VICI for $6 Billion

LVS Corp has agreed to sell its flagship Las Vegas Strip property, the Venetian Resort, plus the accompanying Sands Expo and Convention Center, for $6 billion. The buyers are private equity giant Apollo Global Management,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Police in India Detain Fighting Rooster for Slashing Owner to Death
March 3, 2021

Police in India Detain Fighting Rooster for Slashing Owner to Death

Police in southern India’s Telangana state have taken into custody a fighting rooster suspected of killing its owner during a daring escape attempt. According to the New India Express, the unfortunate man was preparing the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Big Fish $155 Million Settlement Finalized by Federal Judge, Says Aristocrat
March 2, 2021

Big Fish $155 Million Settlement Finalized by Federal Judge, Says Aristocrat

Australian slot machine giant Aristocrat Gaming announced to the ASX Tuesday that a US federal judge in Washington state has given final approval to a $31 million settlement of two class-action lawsuits related to its...

Written by Philip Conneller