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

4187 stories by Philip Conneller

Bulgarian Gambling Czar and Alleged Criminal Mastermind Vasil ‘The Skull’ Bozhkov Charged with Extortion
January 30, 2020

Bulgarian Gambling Czar and Alleged Criminal Mastermind Vasil ‘The Skull’ Bozhkov Charged with Extortion

A Bulgarian gambling mogul known as “The Skull” has been charged in absentia with organizing a crime group, extortion, and attempted bribery by authorities in the Balkan state. Vasil Bozhkov is one of Bulgaria’s richest...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ridgecrest, California Casino Back on Track as City and Death Valley Tribe Settle
January 29, 2020

Ridgecrest, California Casino Back on Track as City and Death Valley Tribe Settle

A controversial tribal casino project in Ridgecrest, California will move ahead, after the Timbisha Shoshone tribe of Death Valley announced it had resolved its dispute with the city this week. Ridgecrest has agreed to sell...

Written by Philip Conneller
Crown Resorts Tycoon James Packer to Testify for Prosecution in Netanyahu Corruption Trial
January 29, 2020

Crown Resorts Tycoon James Packer to Testify for Prosecution in Netanyahu Corruption Trial

Crown Resorts billionaire James Packer will be called as a prosecution witness in the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to indictment documents seen by News Corp. Netanyahu was officially indicted for...

Written by Philip Conneller
Washington State Social Gaming Legislation Could Rescue Big Fish Casino From Legal Trouble
January 29, 2020

Washington State Social Gaming Legislation Could Rescue Big Fish Casino From Legal Trouble

Bills introduced in the Washington State legislature last week are designed to protect the state’s social gaming industry from legal bombardment. The identical bills -- sponsored in the House by State Rep. Zach Hudgins (D-11th)...

Written by Philip Conneller
OJ Simpson Defamation Case Vs. Cosmopolitan to Go to Trial, Private Settlement Ruled Out
January 28, 2020

OJ Simpson Defamation Case Vs. Cosmopolitan to Go to Trial, Private Settlement Ruled Out

OJ Simpson’s lawsuit against The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will go to court, a pretrial commissioner ruled on Monday. Simpson, 72, is suing the Las Vegas Strip hotel-casino for defamation after a report surfaced on...

Written by Philip Conneller
Denise Coates’ Bet365 Was Biggest UK Tax Contributor in 2019
January 27, 2020

Denise Coates’ Bet365 Was Biggest UK Tax Contributor in 2019

The Coates family -- owner of online sports-betting giant Bet365 -- has been named the UK’s biggest taxpayer of 2019, according to the Sunday Times Tax List. The accolade might even temper media criticism directed...

Written by Philip Conneller
Massachusetts Lottery ‘Winner’ Stole $4 Million Ticket from Immigrant Who Thought He’d Won $4,000, Claims Lawsuit
January 27, 2020

Massachusetts Lottery ‘Winner’ Stole $4 Million Ticket from Immigrant Who Thought He’d Won $4,000, Claims Lawsuit

A Massachusetts woman who claimed a $4 million scratch-ticket prize in December 2019 is now accused of exploiting the alleged real winner because he couldn’t speak English. Susana Gaspar, of New Bedford, made the local...

Written by Philip Conneller
Former River Rock VIP Manager Claims Top Brass Fired Him to Silence Him Over Money Laundering
January 27, 2020

Former River Rock VIP Manager Claims Top Brass Fired Him to Silence Him Over Money Laundering

Great Canadian Gaming Corp (GCG) is accused in a new lawsuit of trying to silence the former VIP gaming manager at its River Rock Casino and Resort in Richmond, BC. The allegation comes amid a...

Written by Philip Conneller
PokerStars Founder Isai Scheinberg Surrenders to US Authorities After Nine Years as a Fugitive
January 26, 2020

PokerStars Founder Isai Scheinberg Surrenders to US Authorities After Nine Years as a Fugitive

PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg is in federal custody almost nine years after being indicted by the US Department of Justice on charges that include bank fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling. According to Forbes, which...

Written by Philip Conneller
Rugby Star Sonny Bill Williams Says Betfred Logo a No-Go Due to Religious Beliefs
January 24, 2020

Rugby Star Sonny Bill Williams Says Betfred Logo a No-Go Due to Religious Beliefs

Rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams will refuse to wear the logo of gambling company Betfred on his jersey when he lines up for the Toronto Wolfpack at the beginning of February. The two-time Rugby World...

Written by Philip Conneller