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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

4167 stories by Philip Conneller

Feds Allege $3M ‘Bonus Abuse’ Scheme Used Stolen IDs at FanDuel
February 9, 2026

Feds Allege $3M ‘Bonus Abuse’ Scheme Used Stolen IDs at FanDuel

Stolen identities allegedly used to open thousands of gambling accounts Bonus abuse scheme tied to $3 million in illicit winnings Prepaid cards allegedly used to launder gambling proceeds Federal agents in Connecticut have arrested two...

Written by Philip Conneller
Judge Asked to Dismiss $1B Powerball Lawsuit from ‘Pretender’ Who Danced on TV
February 6, 2026

Judge Asked to Dismiss $1B Powerball Lawsuit from ‘Pretender’ Who Danced on TV

Lawsuit challenges Powerball jackpot already paid to verified ticket holder Court filing revisits viral celebration at Los Angeles lottery retailer Lottery officials say only physical ticket determines jackpot ownership The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) is...

Written by Philip Conneller
Is Germany Underestimating Its Black-Market Problem?
February 6, 2026

Is Germany Underestimating Its Black-Market Problem?

Germany’s regulator pegs online black-market gambling at roughly 25% Independent studies suggest illegal play exceeds half of online activity Strict rules may be driving high-risk players offshore The German gaming regulator Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder...

Written by Philip Conneller
Macau’s Grand Emperor Turns Iconic Solid Gold Walkway into Cash
February 5, 2026

Macau’s Grand Emperor Turns Iconic Solid Gold Walkway into Cash

Grand Emperor Hotel sells gold walkway as Macau casino era fades Iconic gold attraction removed after satellite casino closures Hotel pivots to non-gaming future as regulations tighten Macau’s Grand Emperor Hotel is cashing in its...

Written by Philip Conneller
Kalshi Disputes Data Showing New Users Lose Faster Than on Sportsbooks
February 5, 2026

Kalshi Disputes Data Showing New Users Lose Faster Than on Sportsbooks

Prediction market losses outpace sportsbooks, especially among new and weaker users Kalshi disputes data and briefly accuses startup of attempted extortion Regulatory stakes rise as platforms reject sportsbook classification Kalshi has been forced to walk...

Written by Philip Conneller
New Mexico Racino Move Sparks Tribal Gaming Backlash
February 4, 2026

New Mexico Racino Move Sparks Tribal Gaming Backlash

Tribal leaders warn Texas-facing racino move threatens casino revenue and jobs SunRay Park seeks relocation near Clovis, citing steep revenue declines Regulators weigh economic development against market saturation and tribal impacts A proposal to move...

Written by Philip Conneller
Georgia Brothers Get 20 Years for COAM Gambling Fraud Scheme
February 4, 2026

Georgia Brothers Get 20 Years for COAM Gambling Fraud Scheme

Georgia brothers sentenced to 20 years over COAM gambling fraud Scheme targeted video poker-style machines across multiple Georgia counties Judge orders probation, bans, and $86,000 restitution to lottery Two brothers from Sparta, Ga. were handed...

Written by Philip Conneller
Former Lottery.com SPAC Boss Admits Securities Fraud
February 4, 2026

Former Lottery.com SPAC Boss Admits Securities Fraud

Former SPAC executive admits securities fraud tied to Lottery.com merger Prosecutors say fake revenue and obstruction misled public market investors Two senior Lottery.com executives previously pleaded guilty in same scheme A former Lottery.com executive pleaded...

Written by Philip Conneller
Gambling Tycoon Linked to 34 Missing People May Have Fled Philippines
February 2, 2026

Gambling Tycoon Linked to 34 Missing People May Have Fled Philippines

Police hunt tycoon Atong Ang in missing sabungeros case Thirty-four online cockfighting enthusiasts disappeared in 2021-2022 E-sabong scandal revives scrutiny of Ang’s controversial past A manhunt is underway in the Philippines for gambling tycoon Charlie...

Written by Philip Conneller
China Executes Myanmar Casino Crime Family in Fraud, Trafficking Crackdown
February 2, 2026

China Executes Myanmar Casino Crime Family in Fraud, Trafficking Crackdown

China executes members of Myanmar border crime dynasty Patriarch Bai Soucheng already dead, state media says Laukkaing warlord family tied to scams, trafficking, and casinos Beijing signals regional crackdown on Southeast Asia fraud hubs China...

Written by Philip Conneller