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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

4158 stories by Philip Conneller

Ex-Aide to UK Prime Minister Sunak Pleads Guilty to Political Insider Bet
June 29, 2026

Ex-Aide to UK Prime Minister Sunak Pleads Guilty to Political Insider Bet

UK politician Craig Williams admitted using confidential information about the 2024 election date to place a £100 bet before the surprise announcement Thirteen co-defendants pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court including senior Conservative Party...

Written by Philip Conneller
Massachusetts Mob Figure Who Won $1.2M at Bally’s Lincoln Arrested for Cheating
June 29, 2026

Massachusetts Mob Figure Who Won $1.2M at Bally’s Lincoln Arrested for Cheating

Investigators allege Manzi used 106 fraudulent Bally's rewards cards to generate more than $1.15 million in reported slot winnings over 116 days Court documents do not allege slot machine manipulation and leave unanswered how the...

Written by Philip Conneller
Transgender Poker Player Aubrey Williams Comes Second in WSOP Ladies Event
June 29, 2026

Transgender Poker Player Aubrey Williams Comes Second in WSOP Ladies Event

Aubrey Williams won $129,692 after finishing second in the WSOP Ladies Event, her biggest live cash to date Williams said she entered because she is a woman, while her deep run sparked fierce online debate...

Written by Philip Conneller
Magician Casino Scammer ‘Shaun Mistery’ Extradited to Nevada
June 28, 2026

Magician Casino Scammer ‘Shaun Mistery’ Extradited to Nevada

Authorities allege Shaun Benward distracted roulette dealers with conversation before disputing chip placements after winning numbers were revealed Investigators say he changed his appearance between casino visits and used accomplices to pressure dealers during disputed...

Written by Philip Conneller
Elon Musk Ordered to Testify in Fraud Lawsuits Over $1M Election Lottery
June 27, 2026

Elon Musk Ordered to Testify in Fraud Lawsuits Over $1M Election Lottery

A federal magistrate judge ordered Musk to appear for a deposition while formally recommending that the voters' fraud claims survive summary judgment The judge found that jurors should decide whether promises of a random $1...

Written by Philip Conneller
Discovery Princess Cruise Passenger Gets Four Years for Casino Identity Theft Scheme
June 26, 2026

Discovery Princess Cruise Passenger Gets Four Years for Casino Identity Theft Scheme

Enrico Ronquillo admitted using another person's credit card information to obtain money through the Discovery Princess casino while sailing to Alaska US Customs officers uncovered the fraud after finding counterfeit identity documents, cash and stolen...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ex-Lottery.com SPAC Sponsor Sentenced to Prison Over $9M Sham Deal
June 25, 2026

Ex-Lottery.com SPAC Sponsor Sentenced to Prison Over $9M Sham Deal

Former Lottery.com executive Vadim Komissarov received a 36-month prison sentence after admitting securities fraud tied to the company's 2021 SPAC merger Prosecutors said he helped inflate Lottery.com's financial results using a sham $9 million Datassure...

Written by Philip Conneller
Senior Alleged Lucchese Figures Plead Guilty in New Jersey Gambling Ring
June 25, 2026

Senior Alleged Lucchese Figures Plead Guilty in New Jersey Gambling Ring

George Zappola, Joseph "Big Joe" Perna and John Perna admitted racketeering charges tied to an alleged Lucchese-run gambling enterprise. Prosecutors said the organization operated poker clubs, offshore sportsbooks and laundered nearly $4.8 million through legitimate...

Written by Philip Conneller
Wisconsin Man Allegedly Shot Brother After 12 Tequila Shots at Oneida Casino
June 24, 2026

Wisconsin Man Allegedly Shot Brother After 12 Tequila Shots at Oneida Casino

Prosecutors allege Long Thao shot his brother in the back after the pair spent hours drinking and gambling at Oneida Casino Court documents say surveillance footage captured the shooting, the suspect standing over the victim,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Missouri Bar Owner Sues AG Over Crackdown on Grey-Market Gaming Machines
June 24, 2026

Missouri Bar Owner Sues AG Over Crackdown on Grey-Market Gaming Machines

St. Charles bar owner James Schappe claims Missouri's attorney general lacks authority to declare grey-market gaming machines illegal Lawsuit argues businesses operating non-Torch machines should not be bound by a federal ruling against Torch Electronics...

Written by Philip Conneller