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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

4211 stories by Philip Conneller

Texas Mayor Arrested After Gambling Machines Found in Laundromat
February 20, 2026

Texas Mayor Arrested After Gambling Machines Found in Laundromat

Hitchcock mayor arrested in eight-liner gambling probe Undercover deputies redeemed machine credits for cash Mayor also serves as Hitchcock ISD assistant superintendent The mayor of the small city of Hitchcock in Galveston County, Texas, was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Michigan Man Guilty of Murder in No-Body Killing of ‘High-Stakes’ Poker Player
February 19, 2026

Michigan Man Guilty of Murder in No-Body Killing of ‘High-Stakes’ Poker Player

Lansing jury convicts man in no-body poker killing Victim carried up to $15K to poker game Blood evidence found inside SUV despite deep cleaning An already-incarcerated Lansing, Mich., man has been convicted of the murder...

Written by Philip Conneller
Casino-Banned Las Vegas Pimp Accused of Attempted Child Kidnap
February 19, 2026

Casino-Banned Las Vegas Pimp Accused of Attempted Child Kidnap

Las Vegas man accused of attempting child kidnapping Previously banned from Nevada casinos for sex trafficking Charge carries potential life sentence under state law A notorious pimp banned from Nevada casinos for sex trafficking was...

Written by Philip Conneller
California Cardrooms Warn Of Job Losses Under Blackjack Ban
February 18, 2026

California Cardrooms Warn Of Job Losses Under Blackjack Ban

Cardrooms warn rules could cut business activity by half Cities fear lost tax revenue funding police and fire Industry vows legal pushback over blackjack-style game changes Advocates for California cardrooms say looming restrictions on blackjack-style...

Written by Philip Conneller
Stake.com Named in Near $1M Crypto Fraud Case Involving Ex-SCSU Basketball Player
February 18, 2026

Stake.com Named in Near $1M Crypto Fraud Case Involving Ex-SCSU Basketball Player

Former college athlete accused of $950K crypto fraud Prosecutors say funds lost gambling on Stake.com Defendant denies charges in 21-count federal indictment A Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) men’s basketball player concocted a fraudulent cryptocurrency...

Written by Philip Conneller
Texas Gambler Who Lost $80,000 Guilty of ‘Terroristic Threats’ to Louisville Cardinals
February 18, 2026

Texas Gambler Who Lost $80,000 Guilty of ‘Terroristic Threats’ to Louisville Cardinals

Texas gambler admits threatening Louisville coach, quarterback over $80K loss Court filings show threats triggered round-the-clock security measures States and sportsbooks move to curb betting-related athlete abuse A Corpus Christi, Texas man has been convicted...

Written by Philip Conneller
Polymarket Targets China With Lunar New Year Bets
February 18, 2026

Polymarket Targets China With Lunar New Year Bets

Polymarket hires Mandarin staff, builds Chinese-language interface Spring Festival Gala bets draw significant trading volume China bans gambling and crypto trading for mainland users Polymarket appears to be testing whether its crypto-based prediction market model...

Written by Philip Conneller
Donny Osmond and Las Vegas Casino Sued After Woman Struck By Orb
February 17, 2026

Donny Osmond and Las Vegas Casino Sued After Woman Struck By Orb

Illinois woman claims lighted ball caused retinal detachment Lawsuit targets Donny Osmond, Harrah’s over concert injury Plaintiff alleges dark showroom limited ability to avoid prop A Donny Osmond fan from Illinois is suing her hero...

Written by Philip Conneller
Federal Judge Rules Missouri Gray Market Gambling Machines Illegal
February 17, 2026

Federal Judge Rules Missouri Gray Market Gambling Machines Illegal

Federal judge declares Torch machines illegal gambling devices $500K jury verdict preceded broader legality ruling Decision could trigger statewide enforcement actions A federal judge dealt a major blow Monday to the “gray market” slot-style machines...

Written by Philip Conneller
Federal Judge Upholds Prison Term in Indiana Casino Campaign Scandal
February 16, 2026

Federal Judge Upholds Prison Term in Indiana Casino Campaign Scandal

Judge rejects Waltz motion to vacate prison sentence Scheme tied to Centaur casinos and $40,500 donations Hard Rock Northern Indiana project shadowed by probe A federal judge has rejected a bid by former Indiana state...

Written by Philip Conneller