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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

4170 stories by Philip Conneller

Florida Officer May Avoid Trial in Hard Rock Casino Bomb Case
January 16, 2026

Florida Officer May Avoid Trial in Hard Rock Casino Bomb Case

St. Petersburg officer entered diversion program that could erase felony charges Case tied to Hard Rock Casino explosives investigation now closed Prosecutors say officer shared sensitive police database information with suspect Charges against a St....

Written by Philip Conneller
SWAT Swarms Bicycle Casino After Hoax Gun-and-Bomb Threat
January 16, 2026

SWAT Swarms Bicycle Casino After Hoax Gun-and-Bomb Threat

Hoax threat triggered SWAT response and five-hour casino sweep Hundreds evacuated; I-710 lanes closed as police secured scene Caller demanded $50K, claimed rifle and bomb accomplice A hoax call about a shooter at the Parkwest...

Written by Philip Conneller
Westside Riva Gang Boss Gets 9 Years for Ordering Kidnapping from Prison
January 15, 2026

Westside Riva Gang Boss Gets 9 Years for Ordering Kidnapping from Prison

Gang boss ran gambling and extortion schemes from prison. Kidnapping ordered after extortion cash was seized in traffic stop. Judge imposed nine-year federal term consecutive to existing life sentence. A leader of Southern California’s Westside...

Written by Philip Conneller
Turning Stone Construction Elevator Collapse Injures Five Workers
January 15, 2026

Turning Stone Construction Elevator Collapse Injures Five Workers

A construction elevator fell during dismantling at Turning Stone on Tuesday afternoon Five workers injured; one hospitalized in stable condition on Wednesday OSHA investigating as Oneida Nation’s $370M resort expansion continues One worker remained hospitalized...

Written by Philip Conneller
Imperial Pacific’s Lijie Cui Detained by ICE on Saipan
January 15, 2026

Imperial Pacific’s Lijie Cui Detained by ICE on Saipan

ICE detained IPI majority shareholder Lijie Cui on Saipan on Tuesday Cui was behind a massive, controversial casino project on Saipan Project was the target of numerous federal probes Lijie Cui, the Chinese majority shareholder...

Written by Philip Conneller
Germany’s Gambling Regime: Paragon of Consumer-Protection or Market Misstep?
January 14, 2026

Germany’s Gambling Regime: Paragon of Consumer-Protection or Market Misstep?

Germany’s strict limits and OASIS aim to hard-wire player protection. Critics warn rules push players offshore; estimates of scale vary. Regulator review through 2026 weighs safety against legal-market channelization. In 2021, Germany overhauled its online...

Written by Philip Conneller
WarHorse Gaming Launches Ballot Campaign for Nebraska Mobile Sports Betting
January 14, 2026

WarHorse Gaming Launches Ballot Campaign for Nebraska Mobile Sports Betting

WarHorse and Sports Betting Alliance launch Nebraska mobile betting petitions Two measures seek to authorize online wagering and allocate local tax revenue Push follows 2025 filibuster that stalled a constitutional amendment Having failed to see...

Written by Philip Conneller
Judge Rejects Ione Band Challenge as Sacramento-Area Casino Nears
January 14, 2026

Judge Rejects Ione Band Challenge as Sacramento-Area Casino Nears

Judge denies reconsideration, leaving earlier emergency relief denial intact Residents and CERA challenge federal recognition and land-into-trust approvals Ruling keeps Acorn Ridge Casino project moving toward spring opening A federal judge in Washington, DC, has...

Written by Philip Conneller
Florida Man Jailed After Trying to Cash Stolen $115K Fantasy 5 Ticket
January 13, 2026

Florida Man Jailed After Trying to Cash Stolen $115K Fantasy 5 Ticket

Man tried claiming $115K Fantasy 5 ticket; staff flagged it stolen. District office verification and electronic logs helped investigators trace ticket. Areeb alleged uncle gave him ticket; later admitted false claim. A Florida man who...

Written by Philip Conneller
Stakes High as SCOTUS Lawyer Tom Goldstein Heads to Trial on Tax Charges
January 13, 2026

Stakes High as SCOTUS Lawyer Tom Goldstein Heads to Trial on Tax Charges

Goldstein accused of hiding poker winnings and evading $5.3M taxes. Indictment also alleges law-firm funds misuse and mortgage application lies. Defense says errors weren’t willful, blaming bookkeeping and late payments. The trial of Tom Goldstein,...

Written by Philip Conneller