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Reporter: 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.

Areas of Expertise

3568 stories by Philip Conneller

Treasure Island Casino, violent robbery, $38,000 theft, Shawn Eric Lewis Jr., Minnesota crime news

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...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025
Las Vegas poker fraud, Jong Rhee, World Series of Poker, Lusso Auto Spa, Neelufar Rhee

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...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025
Julie Mitchell murder, Kansas Star Casino, Michael Wayne Thomas, Oklahoma City homicide, Teddy Mitchell gambler

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...

Philip Conneller June 4, 2025
Eddie Tipton, Jackpot: America’s Biggest Lotto Scam, Hot Lotto scandal, MUSL scam

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...

Philip Conneller June 3, 2025
Gabby Thomas harassment, sports betting abuse, Grand Slam Track incident, Olympic athlete heckled, gambling impact on sports

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...

Philip Conneller June 3, 2025
Acorn Ridge Casino, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, tribal casino California, land trust gaming, Native American casino

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,...

Philip Conneller June 2, 2025
Texas Lottery, SB 3070, lottery courier services, Texas Lottery Commission, gambling legislation Texas

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...

Philip Conneller June 1, 2025
DraftKings lawsuit, Nicholas Bavas, voided bets, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, sports betting controversy

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...

Philip Conneller June 1, 2025
Lawrence Campbell, Krystal Ann McKay, Canadian lottery dispute, Man sues ex over lottery win, Winnipeg $5 million lottery lawsuit, Lottery ticket claimed by girlfriend, WCLC lottery legal battle

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...

Philip Conneller May 28, 2025
Scotts Valley Band, Vallejo casino project, tribal gaming eligibility, Interior Department review, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

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...

Philip Conneller May 25, 2025