Areas of Expertise
3568 stories by Philip Conneller
Treasure Island Casino Winner Beaten, $38K Stolen, Attacker Sentenced
Victim attacked outside home after winning at casino Assailants stole $38K in early morning ambush Judge rejects leniency plea despite addiction defense A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his role in a violent robbery that...
Las Vegas Poker Player, Wife Busted in $57M Luxury Car Fraud
Couple allegedly scammed investors with luxury resale scheme Victims promised huge profits from exotic car exports Fraud funded gambling, boats, jets, and personal expenses A Las Vegas poker player who believed a financially life-changing tournament score was always just around the corner...
Cold Case Murder Suspect Killed Self at Kansas Star Casino Mid-Police Interview
Suspect shot himself mid-interview with Oklahoma investigators Wife of gambler killed in 2010; baby left unharmed Shocking death raises more questions in cold case A suspect in the 2010 murder of an Oklahoma City woman committed suicide at the Kansas Star Casino...
Jackpot: New Film Explores America’s Multimillion Dollar Lottery Fraud Mastermind
Documentary revisits Iowa’s Hot Lotto fraud scandal Eddie Tipton rigged lotteries using a secret, self-deleting code Jackpots were manipulated across five states from 2005 to 2011 A new documentary released on Tuesday, “Jackpot: America’s Biggest Lotto Scam,” revisits the story of Eddie...
Video Shows Olympian Gabby Thomas Harassed by Gambler During Philly Track Meet
Gambler brags about heckling Thomas to influence betting outcome Social media videos show harassment before and after her race Sports betting surge linked to athlete abuse, study finds Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas was “followed around the track” by a gambler...
Ione Band of Miwok’s Sacramento-Area Casino on Track After 18-Year Battle
Acorn Ridge Casino to open in spring 2026 Ione Band won decades-long legal battle to build casino After more than 18 years of legal battles, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians is on track to open its Acorn Ridge Casino near Sacramento,...
Texas Lottery Spared: Four-Year Extension Clears Legislature
Texas lawmakers passed SB 3070, extending the state lottery for four more years. The Texas Lottery Commission will be dissolved and oversight transferred. A $95M jackpot won by a European syndicate sparked intense scrutiny. The Texas Lottery has been offered a four-year...
DraftKings Sued for $14.2M by Bettor Who Used Weather to Predict Winning Golfers
Iowa man Nicholas Bavas sues DraftKings for $14.2M over voided golf bets. Bavas placed five parlays predicting top finishers at Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He bet on weather delays, anticipating the tournament would be shortened. A bettor who correctly predicted the top finishers...
Canadian Says Ex Took $5 Million Lottery Jackpot, Ran Off With New Lover
Plaintiff claims he bought $5M winning ticket but lacked valid ID to claim it. Krystal McKay claimed the prize on his behalf and deposited it in her account. McKay abruptly left him days later and began a new relationship, per suit. A...
Judge: Vallejo Casino Halt May Not Equal ‘Harm’ to Scotts Valley Band – Yet
Tribe seeks to stop federal review of casino project Judge questions urgency but flags possible agency overreach Rival tribes challenge ancestral claim to Vallejo land A federal judge In Washington D.C. appeared to agree with the U.S. government’s argument Friday that a...