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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

Bally’s Rattled as Chicago VGT Proposal Gathers Pace
December 18, 2025

Bally’s Rattled as Chicago VGT Proposal Gathers Pace

Bally’s says VGT legalization would cut casino revenue and jobs. Aldermen push VGT fees and taxes to plug 2026 budget gaps. City weighs casino deal protections against broader gaming tax revenue. Bally’s has taken a...

Written by Philip Conneller
North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe Gains Long-Sought Federal Recognition — Casino Next?
December 18, 2025

North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe Gains Long-Sought Federal Recognition — Casino Next?

The Lumbee Tribe secured federal recognition after more than a century Recognition grants sovereignty, land trust rights, and casino eligibility Casino interest exists, but tribe remains publicly cautious North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe is one presidential...

Written by Philip Conneller
Study Links Legal Sports Betting to Game-Day Crime Spikes
December 17, 2025

Study Links Legal Sports Betting to Game-Day Crime Spikes

Researchers link legal sports betting to higher game-day violent crime. Assaults rise most after kickoff, home games, and underdog wins. Spillover seen in nearby states; stress, overtime, close scores matter. New research claims that regulated...

Written by Philip Conneller
Woman Crushed by Christmas Tree Sues Star Gold Coast for $1.7M
December 17, 2025

Woman Crushed by Christmas Tree Sues Star Gold Coast for $1.7M

Hairdresser alleges hand crushed moving giant casino Christmas tree. Negligence suit targets The Star, events firm, and temp agency. Claims surgery, therapy, ongoing impairment, and lost hairdressing income. A hairdresser whose hand was crushed by...

Written by Philip Conneller
UK’s ‘Most Prolific Romance Fraudster’ Posed as Betting Boss, Locked Up for 17 Years
December 17, 2025

UK’s ‘Most Prolific Romance Fraudster’ Posed as Betting Boss, Locked Up for 17 Years

Dating app conman posed as a betting expert to lure vulnerable women Victims urged to sell homes and take loans for fake investments Judge calls sustained romance fraud cynical, calculated, and purely for profit A...

Written by Philip Conneller
Video: Peppermill Casino Facial Recognition Wrongful Arrest Bodycam Footage Released
December 16, 2025

Video: Peppermill Casino Facial Recognition Wrongful Arrest Bodycam Footage Released

Bodycam footage reveals AI misidentification led to wrongful casino arrest Lawsuit alleges officer falsified reports and ignored fingerprint evidence Case raises concerns over police reliance on facial recognition systems Newly released police bodycam footage shows...

Written by Philip Conneller
Lottery Millionaire Linked to IRA Cop Killing
December 16, 2025

Lottery Millionaire Linked to IRA Cop Killing

Media links lottery winner Joe Clarke to IRA getaway role Kenova report reveals intelligence failures around 1988 police murder IRA internal debriefing identified suspects but no prosecutions followed A Belfast, Northern Ireland resident who scooped...

Written by Philip Conneller
Golden Pony Casino Power Struggle Heads to Oklahoma Supreme Court
December 15, 2025

Golden Pony Casino Power Struggle Heads to Oklahoma Supreme Court

Tribal leadership dispute escalates after casino closure and court intervention Rival factions clash over authority, elections, and control of tribal assets Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide limits of state jurisdiction A power struggle that shut...

Written by Philip Conneller
Star Casino Let ‘Fortune Teller’ Gamble $800K Despite $400 Income
December 15, 2025

Star Casino Let ‘Fortune Teller’ Gamble $800K Despite $400 Income

Alleged fortune teller linked to massive fraud and money laundering scheme VIP casino access allowed despite unemployment and disability pension claims Case adds pressure on Star amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny A self-proclaimed “fortune teller” who...

Written by Philip Conneller
Hard Rock Hollywood Robbery Suspect Shot After Police Gunfight
December 12, 2025

Hard Rock Hollywood Robbery Suspect Shot After Police Gunfight

Casino robbery suspect tracked by aviation unit into Margate neighborhood Gunfight erupts after police encounter; deputy struck but vest prevents injury State and internal investigators review deputy-involved shooting circumstances A man who grabbed cash from...

Written by Philip Conneller