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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

4187 stories by Philip Conneller

‘Lotto Rapist’ Fraud Trial Begins in UK, Forging Ticket was “Easy,” Jury Told
September 20, 2019

‘Lotto Rapist’ Fraud Trial Begins in UK, Forging Ticket was “Easy,” Jury Told

The fraud trial of a former UK National Lottery winner who prosecutors allege conspired with a lottery company employee to forge a ticket began at St Albans Crown Court in Hertfordshire, England on Thursday. Edward...

Written by Philip Conneller
Hong Kong Jockey Club Suspends Racing Over Threat of Civil Unrest Linked to Pro-Democracy Movement
September 19, 2019

Hong Kong Jockey Club Suspends Racing Over Threat of Civil Unrest Linked to Pro-Democracy Movement

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) canceled an entire race meet at its Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday night over concerns that pro-democracy protesters planned to disrupt proceedings. HKJC said it took the precaution to...

Written by Philip Conneller
Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Named in $60 Million Kevin Hart Sex Tape Lawsuit
September 19, 2019

Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Named in $60 Million Kevin Hart Sex Tape Lawsuit

The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and its owner, the Blackstone Group, have been named as defendants alongside actor-comedian Kevin Hart in a $60 million sex-tape lawsuit. Also named in the suit filed by model Montia Sabbag...

Written by Philip Conneller
Canadian Supreme Court Returns $2M In Assets After Casino Case Collapses
September 18, 2019

Canadian Supreme Court Returns $2M In Assets After Casino Case Collapses

An effort by British Columbia (BC) authorities to seize $2 million from suspects in a high-profile casino money-laundering investigation has been rejected by the province’s Supreme Court. The case against Caixuan Qin, her husband Jian...

Written by Philip Conneller
Wales Coach Rob Howley Booted from Rugby World Cup Over Alleged Betting Violation
September 18, 2019

Wales Coach Rob Howley Booted from Rugby World Cup Over Alleged Betting Violation

The Japan Rugby World Cup is just days away from kickoff, and the Wales team is reeling from the news that its long-time assistant coach, Rob Howley, has been sent packing for an alleged betting...

Written by Philip Conneller
Body of Abducted Online Bookmaker ‘5Dimes Tony’ Found in Costa Rica Cemetery, Confirmed by US State Dept
September 17, 2019

Body of Abducted Online Bookmaker ‘5Dimes Tony’ Found in Costa Rica Cemetery, Confirmed by US State Dept

The body of American offshore bookmaker William Sean Creighton, known professionally as 5Dimes Tony, was found last week in a cemetery in a small fishing village in Costa Rica, 100 miles from where he was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Oklahoma AG Hires Michigan Law Firm to Advise on Controversial Tribal Compact Renegotiation
September 17, 2019

Oklahoma AG Hires Michigan Law Firm to Advise on Controversial Tribal Compact Renegotiation

Oklahoma’s attorney general Mike Hunter has hired the services of Michigan-based law firm Dykema as the state prepares to begin a hugely complex -- and controversial -- compact renegotiation process with its Native American casino...

Written by Philip Conneller
Anger as Mashpee Recall Election Cancelled Amid Growing Concerns Over Casino Money
September 16, 2019

Anger as Mashpee Recall Election Cancelled Amid Growing Concerns Over Casino Money

In Massachusetts, a Mashpee Wampanoag council member has vowed to obtain injunctive relief from the tribal court after a recall election to decide the fate of the tribe’s current leader and treasurer, Cedric Cromwell and...

Written by Philip Conneller
Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino Sues Billionaire Ottawa Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk for $1 Million Over Unpaid Markers
September 16, 2019

Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino Sues Billionaire Ottawa Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk for $1 Million Over Unpaid Markers

Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun casino has launched a $1.05 million legal claim against the owner of the National Hockey's League's (NHL) Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melnyk, due to an alleged $900,000 in unpaid casino markers. According to...

Written by Philip Conneller
Monmouth Park NJ Plan for More VIP Chopper Flights To Sportsbook Fails to Take Off
September 14, 2019

Monmouth Park NJ Plan for More VIP Chopper Flights To Sportsbook Fails to Take Off

A plan to bring sports-betting high rollers to New Jersey racetrack Monmouth Park didn’t fly with the Oceanport Borough Council, which rejected the proposal by a 6-0 vote last month, The Asbury Park Press reports....

Written by Philip Conneller