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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

4183 stories by Philip Conneller

Harrah’s Joliet Hit with $6 Million Negligence Lawsuit Over Shocking Casino Slaying
February 4, 2021

Harrah’s Joliet Hit with $6 Million Negligence Lawsuit Over Shocking Casino Slaying

The fiancée of a man brutally stabbed to death by a stranger in a hallway at Harrah’s Joliet Hotel & Casino in Joliet, Ill. is suing operator Caesars Entertainment for negligence, Patch.com reports. Last August,...

Written by Philip Conneller
‘Slow Down Your Slots!’ UK Regulator Introduces Raft of Restrictions for Online Casinos
February 2, 2021

‘Slow Down Your Slots!’ UK Regulator Introduces Raft of Restrictions for Online Casinos

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced a package of new rules designed to “strengthen the protections and controls for those who gamble through online slots games.” On Tuesday, the regulator ordered operators to slow...

Written by Philip Conneller
New Jersey G-Shine Bloods Gang Leader Killed After Shooting Up Florida Sweepstakes Parlor
February 2, 2021

New Jersey G-Shine Bloods Gang Leader Killed After Shooting Up Florida Sweepstakes Parlor

A reputed leader of the G-Shine Bloods gang in Trenton, New Jersey was shot dead by a security guard after he opened fire in a Florida gaming facility over the weekend. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office...

Written by Philip Conneller
UK Gambling Ad Ban Could Kill Sports Like Snooker, Darts, Insiders Warn
February 1, 2021

UK Gambling Ad Ban Could Kill Sports Like Snooker, Darts, Insiders Warn

The UK’s proposed gambling reforms pose an existential threat to certain sports, the government has been warned. A likely ban on gambling advertising around sporting events represented the greatest crisis to idiosyncratically British pro sports...

Written by Philip Conneller
Michigan Suburban Real Estate Guru Conned Victims to Fund $1 Million-a-Week Lottery Habit
January 29, 2021

Michigan Suburban Real Estate Guru Conned Victims to Fund $1 Million-a-Week Lottery Habit

A Michigan real-estate executive with a $1 million per week lottery habit is accused of bilking investors out of $19 million to buy tickets. Viktor Gjonaj, 43, of Shelby Township, is the founder of the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Surfaces, But Legislature, Tribes May Not Play Ball
January 29, 2021

Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Surfaces, But Legislature, Tribes May Not Play Ball

Minnesota’s sports betting bill arrived at the legislature in Saint Paul Thursday, as had been widely anticipated. The bipartisan legislation would legalize sportsbooks in the state, initially in the land-based casinos and racetracks. Then it...

Written by Philip Conneller
Beijing Expands Gambling Travel Blacklist to ‘Safeguard Lives and Property’
January 28, 2021

Beijing Expands Gambling Travel Blacklist to ‘Safeguard Lives and Property’

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on its website this week it was adding more overseas destinations to its travel blacklist for Chinese citizens as part of its war against cross-border gambling. The move...

Written by Philip Conneller
Prison for Pennsylvania Kidnapper of 84-Year-Old Wind Creek Bethlehem Slots Player
January 28, 2021

Prison for Pennsylvania Kidnapper of 84-Year-Old Wind Creek Bethlehem Slots Player

A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania man was sentenced to at least 12 years in a state prison Wednesday for the kidnap and robbery of a slots-playing senior citizen. Hykeem Sessoms, 39, stole just $7 after terrorizing his...

Written by Philip Conneller
Oklahoma Supreme Court Says Gov. Stitt’s Tribal Compacts are not O.K.
January 27, 2021

Oklahoma Supreme Court Says Gov. Stitt’s Tribal Compacts are not O.K.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has been dealt another lousy hand in his quest to reshape the commercial relationship between the state and its tribal casino operators. On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Stitt...

Written by Philip Conneller
New York Gets Lottery Scratch-off Door-Delivery Service to Boost Ailing Sales
January 27, 2021

New York Gets Lottery Scratch-off Door-Delivery Service to Boost Ailing Sales

New York Lottery tickets can now be couriered legally to customers’ homes by third-party resellers, as the state gaming commission seeks ways to combat the dip in sales caused by the pandemic. Manhattan-based Jackpocket began...

Written by Philip Conneller