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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

4254 stories by Philip Conneller

Penn National Gaming Director Busted for Allegedly Embezzling Gift Cards Worth $75,000
December 17, 2019

Penn National Gaming Director Busted for Allegedly Embezzling Gift Cards Worth $75,000

Penn National Gaming’s (PNG) former director of benefits is facing multiple of charges of theft for allegedly pilfering gift cards that she should have bestowed on the company’s employees. Collegeville, Pennsylvania-woman Denise Bitler, 56, was...

Written by Philip Conneller
SCOTUS Takes Up Case that Could Unleash Wave of Tribal Gaming Across Eastern Oklahoma
December 16, 2019

SCOTUS Takes Up Case that Could Unleash Wave of Tribal Gaming Across Eastern Oklahoma

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case which could have far-reaching implications for tribal gaming in eastern Oklahoma. It could also create the largest tribal reservation in America, triggering a “seismic shift...

Written by Philip Conneller
Conservative Party Avalanche UK Election Win Prompts Gambling Industry Shares to Rise
December 13, 2019

Conservative Party Avalanche UK Election Win Prompts Gambling Industry Shares to Rise

Shares in Britain’s biggest gambling companies jumped on Friday, the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson swept to victory in the country’s general elections. Johnson’s Conservative Party -- also known as the Tory Party --...

Written by Philip Conneller
Novomatic Sells Stake in Casinos Austria Amid Corruption Scandal
December 13, 2019

Novomatic Sells Stake in Casinos Austria Amid Corruption Scandal

Austrian gaming giant Novomatic AG has reached a deal to offload its 17 percent stake in Casino Austria to Czech Republic-based lottery operator SAZKA Group. The sell-off comes as Novomatic is being investigated over corruption...

Written by Philip Conneller
Beijing to Transform Macau into Financial Hub as Hong Kong Falls Out of Favor
December 12, 2019

Beijing to Transform Macau into Financial Hub as Hong Kong Falls Out of Favor

Macau casino stocks jumped Thursday on the news that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to announce policies to diversify the economy of the special administrative region (SAR) and turn it into a financial center....

Written by Philip Conneller
Middleman Testifies Against Maltese Casino Owner in Caruana Galizia Murder Case
December 12, 2019

Middleman Testifies Against Maltese Casino Owner in Caruana Galizia Murder Case

It’s the scandal that brought down Malta’s government. On Wednesday, Melvin Theuma, the so-called “middleman” in the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, testified in court that Malta’s biggest casino owner, Yorgen Fenech, was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Kaskade Sues Palms Casino for Breach of Contract Over KAOS Nightclub Closure
December 11, 2019

Kaskade Sues Palms Casino for Breach of Contract Over KAOS Nightclub Closure

Superstar DJ Kaskade is suing the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas for breach of contract over the unexpected shuttering of its KAOS nightclub in November, after just seven months in operation. Kaskade, real name...

Written by Philip Conneller
UK Election Betting: Tactical Voting Gives Bookies Headache
December 11, 2019

UK Election Betting: Tactical Voting Gives Bookies Headache

Brits head to the polls on Thursday for one of the most difficult general elections to predict in a long time. It’s not the outright winner that’s proving so hard to call – Prime Minister...

Written by Philip Conneller
Money Launderers Change Tack, Using Low-Profile ‘Mules’ vs. VIP Players
December 10, 2019

Money Launderers Change Tack, Using Low-Profile ‘Mules’ vs. VIP Players

Casino money launderers have changed their methods in Canada, where the media’s spotlight on British Columbia’s dirty-cash scandal has forced criminals to adopt new strategies. That’s according to the federal Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis...

Written by Philip Conneller
Michigan Lawmakers Reach Breakthrough with Gov. Whitmer on Online Gaming, Sports Betting, Vote Expected Tuesday
December 9, 2019

Michigan Lawmakers Reach Breakthrough with Gov. Whitmer on Online Gaming, Sports Betting, Vote Expected Tuesday

Michigan’s push for legal online gaming and sports betting received a shot in the arm over the weekend with the news that the state’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and its pro-gambling-expansion lawmakers are close to...

Written by Philip Conneller