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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

4238 stories by Philip Conneller

Nevada Casino to Pay $1M After Hack Exposed Data of 229,000 people
March 4, 2026

Nevada Casino to Pay $1M After Hack Exposed Data of 229,000 people

Eureka Casino agrees to $1M settlement after major 2022 ransomware breach Hack exposed personal data of more than 229,000 customers and employees Victims may claim up to $5,000 for documented breach-related losses The Eureka Casino...

Written by Philip Conneller
Philadelphia Store Clerk Who Was Shot During Game Cash Theft Sues Banilla Games
March 3, 2026

Philadelphia Store Clerk Who Was Shot During Game Cash Theft Sues Banilla Games

Philadelphia clerk Ahmedein Maham was shot during a robbery targeting skill-gaming cash Lawsuit claims Banilla machines forced workers to manage large payouts Case highlights the safety risks of unregulated skill games in Pennsylvania A Philadelphia...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ex-Trump Chief of Staff Moves to Crack Down on Prediction Markets
March 3, 2026

Ex-Trump Chief of Staff Moves to Crack Down on Prediction Markets

Mick Mulvaney launches coalition targeting prediction markets like Kalshi States and tribes push to regulate prediction markets as gambling CFTC oversight faces a new challenge as political allies back markets Ex-Trump chief of staff Mick...

Written by Philip Conneller
Novomatic Billionaire Founder Johann Graf Charged in Casino Corruption Case
March 3, 2026

Novomatic Billionaire Founder Johann Graf Charged in Casino Corruption Case

Austrian prosecutors file corruption charges in Casinos Austria scandal Novomatic founder Johann Graf accused of active trading in influence Case revives fallout from Strache and covert video Austrian authorities have charged Johann Graf, the billionaire...

Written by Philip Conneller
Home Depot Employee Stole $4M in Gift Cards to Fund ‘Extravagant Gambling Lifestyle’
March 2, 2026

Home Depot Employee Stole $4M in Gift Cards to Fund ‘Extravagant Gambling Lifestyle’

Former Home Depot employee stole 8,325 company gift cards $4 million scheme funded gambling A Secret Service investigation led to a federal prison sentence A former employee of The Home Depot has been sentenced to...

Written by Philip Conneller
Chicago-Area Racetrack Hawthorne Files For Bankruptcy, Lists Up to $500M in Liabilities
March 2, 2026

Chicago-Area Racetrack Hawthorne Files For Bankruptcy, Lists Up to $500M in Liabilities

Hawthorne files Chapter 11 with liabilities up to $500M Illinois Racing Board halts racing after bounced purse checks Fanatics owed $8.75M as racino project remains stalled The stricken Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago filed for...

Written by Philip Conneller
Alleged Gambino Bookie Threatened to Behead Debtor’s Son: Feds
March 2, 2026

Alleged Gambino Bookie Threatened to Behead Debtor’s Son: Feds

Federal indictment details illegal sports betting and loansharking scheme. Prosecutors cite violent threats against debtors and witnesses. Recorded calls allegedly reveal mafia-linked gambling profits. An alleged Gambino bookie and loan shark threatened to cut off...

Written by Philip Conneller
Billionaire Chumba Casino Founder Laurence Escalante Hit with Fresh Drug Charges
February 27, 2026

Billionaire Chumba Casino Founder Laurence Escalante Hit with Fresh Drug Charges

VGW billionaire Laurence Escalante hit with new drug charges Police allege burglary, assault, and persistent family violence Trafficable quantities of ketamine, MDMA, cocaine seized from home Laurence Escalante, the Australian billionaire founder of Chumba Casino,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Pregnant Woman Injured After Driver Gambling On Phone Causes Crash
February 26, 2026

Pregnant Woman Injured After Driver Gambling On Phone Causes Crash

Driver gambling on phone crashes into stopped family SUV Pregnant passenger suffers fractured pelvis, emergency premature birth Man sentenced to 28 months, banned from driving A British man who crashed into a family car while...

Written by Philip Conneller
Supreme Court Lawyer Tom Goldstein Convicted in Tax Case Tied to High-Stakes Poker Millions
February 26, 2026

Supreme Court Lawyer Tom Goldstein Convicted in Tax Case Tied to High-Stakes Poker Millions

Supreme Court lawyer convicted of tax evasion and fraud Secret multimillion-dollar poker games hid from IRS, prosecutors say Goldstein faces up to 30 years in prison Tom Goldstein, the celebrated US Supreme Court lawyer who...

Written by Philip Conneller