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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

4252 stories by Philip Conneller

Guidiville Rancheria Tribe Loses 14-Year Battle for Richmond, California Casino
April 15, 2018

Guidiville Rancheria Tribe Loses 14-Year Battle for Richmond, California Casino

A federal judge on Thursday permanently quashed a 14-year bid by the by the Guidiville Rancheria Native American tribe to build a $1.2 billion casino on the site of a former US Navy Depot in...

Written by Philip Conneller
South Korean Companies Fined $1 Million Over Deceptive Loot Box Odds
April 14, 2018

South Korean Companies Fined $1 Million Over Deceptive Loot Box Odds

Three South Korean games developers, have been hit with fines totaling nearly $1 million for misrepresenting the odds used in their in-game loot boxes. According to the Korean Herald, the country’s largest games developer, Nexon...

Written by Philip Conneller
Playtech Makes Billion-Dollar Bet on Italian Market with Snaitech Acquisition
April 13, 2018

Playtech Makes Billion-Dollar Bet on Italian Market with Snaitech Acquisition

Playtech will establish a dominant presence in the burgeoning Italian gambling market through its biggest ever acquisition. The British online gambling software provider and financial trading group announced Wednesday it will pay $1.05 billion in cash...

Written by Philip Conneller
Melco Would Invest ‘More than $10 Billion’ on Japan Integrated Resort
April 13, 2018

Melco Would Invest ‘More than $10 Billion’ on Japan Integrated Resort

Melco Resorts invested $10 billion in Macau when it built the City of Dreams and Studio City integrated resorts, but it would invest more in Japan if it is awarded a license, Melco CEO Lawrence...

Written by Philip Conneller
Galaxy Entertainment’s Stock Dips on Confusion Over Boracay Casino
April 12, 2018

Galaxy Entertainment’s Stock Dips on Confusion Over Boracay Casino

Galaxy Entertainment’s stock, which has enjoyed a steady upward trajectory since Macau’s recovery, was rocked this week as the company’s bid to build a $500 million casino on the paradise Philippine island of Boracay was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Oklahoma OK’s Ball and Dice Games but No Dice for Sports Betting
April 12, 2018

Oklahoma OK’s Ball and Dice Games but No Dice for Sports Betting

Oklahoma legalized craps and roulette at its tribal casinos this week when Governor Mary Fallin signed House Bill 3375 into law, shorn of a provision that would have legalized sports betting. The provision which would...

Written by Philip Conneller
US State Department Accuses Philippine Casino Sector of Ongoing AML Deficiencies
April 11, 2018

US State Department Accuses Philippine Casino Sector of Ongoing AML Deficiencies

The Philippines has tightened anti-money laundering (AML) controls at its casinos, but the gaming sector is still guilty of “ongoing deficiencies,” according to the recent US State Department’s Narcotics Control Strategy Report. These include the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Lawsuits Pile Up Against Social Casino Operators in Washington State in Wake of Big Fish Ruling
April 11, 2018

Lawsuits Pile Up Against Social Casino Operators in Washington State in Wake of Big Fish Ruling

A federal court ruling that Churchill Downs’ Big Fish Casino violated Washington State gaming laws has prompted a slew of class action lawsuits against other social games operators in the Evergreen State. Three new class...

Written by Philip Conneller
Steve Wynn Selling Art Worth $150 Million, Picassos and Warhol Up for Auction
April 10, 2018

Steve Wynn Selling Art Worth $150 Million, Picassos and Warhol Up for Auction

Embattled former Wynn Resorts chairman and CEO Steve Wynn is selling off a chunk of his celebrated art collection. The casino mogul is reportedly in the process of hawking at least three major works, including...

Written by Philip Conneller
888 Holdings Challenges German Federal Court Over Right to Operate Online
April 10, 2018

888 Holdings Challenges German Federal Court Over Right to Operate Online

888 Holdings will challenge a German federal court ruling that ordered its German-language subsidiary to cease offering online gaming in the southwestern state of Baden Württemberg. The November ruling caused the company to consider leaving...

Written by Philip Conneller