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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

3028 stories by Philip Conneller

Gamal Aziz, Wynn Resorts, Varsity Blues

‘Varsity Blues’ Charges Dropped by Feds Against Ex-Wynn, MGM Exec

Federal prosecutors have dropped all charges against Gamal Abdelaziz, the former MGM and Wynn senior executive caught up in the “Varsity Blues” scandal. Egyptian-born Abdelaziz, also known as Gamal Aziz, was sentenced to 13 months in a federal prison in February 2022....

Philip Conneller June 29, 2023
Carly Nunes, Joseph Reddem, Massachusetts Lottery

Store Clerk in $3M Lottery Theft Case Went on Lam, Pleads Not Guilty

A Massachusetts store worker who went on the lam after being accused of stealing a customer’s $3 million lottery ticket pleaded not guilty to related charges this week, MassLive reports. Carly Nunes, 23, aroused the suspicion of lottery officials when she presented...

Philip Conneller June 29, 2023
Nicholas Calisi, Genovese, Mafia, John Campanella

Reputed Genovese Mafia Capo Sentenced for Illegal Gambling, Extortion

A reputed Genovese crime family capo has been sentenced to 24 months in prison on gambling and racketeering charges. Nicholas Calisi, 54, pleaded guilty to the charges in February, along with alleged Genovese soldier John Campanella, 48. The latter was sentenced to...

Philip Conneller June 29, 2023
Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, Thailand, baby

Thai Gambler and Accused Serial Killer Loses Unborn Child

A suspected Thai serial killer accused of murdering at least 15 people with cyanide has lost her unborn child, according to local reports. Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn was four months pregnant when she was arrested on April 25 following the suspicious death of...

Philip Conneller June 27, 2023
Stake.com, Christopher Freeman, Bijan Tehrani, Edward Craven

‘Stake.com Stole My Idea:’ $580M Lawsuit Dismissed by US Judge

A Florida resident who's demanding $580 million in punitive damages from the owners of popular crypto gambling site Stake.com has seen his case dismissed by a federal judge in Manhattan for jurisdictional reasons. Christopher Freeman claims Stake.com, stole his idea, and last...

Philip Conneller June 27, 2023
Thomas Ward, poker, Grosvenor Aberdeen

Poker Pro Thomas Ward Pleads Guilty to Hitting Female Police Officer

A professional poker player has admitted hitting a female police officer and repeatedly attempting to bite another officer. The incidents were part of a drunken altercation outside the Grosvenor Casino in Aberdeen, Scotland, The Press and Journal reports. Thomas Ward, 36, who...

Philip Conneller June 26, 2023
Titan sub, OceanGare, Titanic, Polymarket

Outrage Over Polymarket ‘Odds’ on Titan Sub Survival

News that crypto gamblers were placing bets on the website Polymarket on whether the lost Titan submersible would be found has caused outrage on social media. Polymarket users had wagered more than $220k on whether or not the sub would be found...

Philip Conneller June 23, 2023
Anthony Zuccaro, Stanley Cup Victory Parade, Las Vegas Golden Knights

Las Vegas Casino Worker Promised Massacre at Stanley Cup Victory Parade

A Las Vegas casino worker who threatened to plow a truck into the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup victory parade was ordered to remain in jail Wednesday unless he can post 55K bail. Anthony Zuccaro said he was seeking “suicide by...

Philip Conneller June 22, 2023
Lazaro Hernandez’s gang flooded the market with cheap adulterated versions of HIV drugs, using fake brand names and forged documentation. (Image: Aidsmap)

Casino High Roller Gets 15 Years for Adulterated HIV Drug Scam

A “casino high roller” from Miami has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for distributing $230 million in adulterated and misbranded HIV drugs to a network of wholesalers and pharmacies across America. The drugs were then dispensed to unsuspecting patients. Lazaro...

Philip Conneller June 20, 2023
Jason Kurland, lottery lawyer, prison sentence

‘Lottery Lawyer’ Gets 13 Years for Bilking Winners for $107M

A self-described “lottery lawyer,” who represented some of America’s biggest winners, has been ordered to spend the next 13 years in federal prison for defrauding his clients of $107 million. Jason Kurland, 49, was convicted of wire fraud, honest services wire fraud,...

Philip Conneller June 20, 2023