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Reporter: 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.

Areas of Expertise

3661 stories by Philip Conneller

Ryan Gatzke, Terror Squad, Saskatchewan, Canada, Jacob Ballantyne, Isaac Melko, juvenile, Charles McLean

‘Terror Squad’ Gang Member Convicted as Adult Gets 9½ Years in Casino Winner Killing

A juvenile convicted as an adult of the October 2019 manslaughter of a casino winner during a chilling home invasion in North Battleford, Canada, has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison. The young offender, who cannot be named...

Philip Conneller May 13, 2024
Jian Jun Zhu, Richard Reed, Vancouver, money laundering, Silver International, Gordon Ma, Jin Cai

Accused in Vancouver Casino Money Launderer Slaying Sweats Verdict

Canadian prosecutors have urged a British Columbia Supreme Court Judge to convict a man accused of firing the bullet that killed casino money launderer Jian Jun Zhu in September 2020. Zhu died in a hail of gunfire as he dined with his...

Philip Conneller May 13, 2024
Dragon Slaying Brigade, Hong Kong protests, Wong Chun-keung

Dragon Slaying Brigade ‘Terrorist’ Gambled Away Cash Meant for Bombs

The ringleader of a hardcore faction of Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors gambled away HK$300K (US$38K) that he was supposed to spend on bombs and weapons. Wong Chun-Keung is the former ringleader of the “Dragon Slaying Brigade,” which plotted to attack police with...

Philip Conneller May 13, 2024
Entain, Henry Birch, Dan Taylor, Rank Group

Former Rank Group CEO Henry Birch Eyed for Entain Job

Online gambling giant Entain is considering the appointment of the ex-CEO of Britain’s biggest land-based casino group as a replacement for previous boss Jette Nygaard-Andersen, who resigned late last year. Until 2018, Henry Birch was the head of the Rank Group, which...

Philip Conneller May 13, 2024
Doug Polk, Farmer's Branch, Texas, poker room, card club

Poker Player Doug Polk’s Plan for Largest Texas Card Room Goes Up in Smoke

The City of Farmers Branch, a Dallas suburb, has passed on the chance to host Texas’ largest poker room. On Tuesday, the city council voted 4-1 against an ordinance that would have legalized card rooms, paving the way for the proposed venue....

Philip Conneller May 9, 2024
Ryan Boyajian, Jennifer Pedranti, Shohei Ohtani, Matthew Bowyer, Ippei Mizuhara, Wayne Nix, Resorts World, MGM Grand, Pechanga Casino

‘Real Housewives’ Star Ryan Boyajian Implicated in Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal

A mystery figure at the center of the betting scandal involving Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is a cast member of the Bravo reality TV series "The Real Housewives of Orange County," according to an ESPN report. Ryan...

Philip Conneller May 9, 2024
New York, online poker bill, Joseph Addabbo

New York Bill Says Online Poker is a Skill Game

New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-15th) has filed a bill that would legalize online poker in the Empire State by having it declared a game of skill. The push comes after a previous bill sponsored by Addabbo, which would have...

Philip Conneller May 9, 2024
Dwight Manley, 1millionreward, MGM Grand, ketamine, Dennis Rodman

Dennis Rodman’s Ex-Agent Offers $1M for Info on Alleged MGM Grand Drink-Spiker

A high roller who wants to find out who allegedly spiked his drink in an MGM Grand VIP room has just raised the stakes, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. California real estate investor and sports agent Dwight Manley has doubled the reward...

Philip Conneller May 8, 2024
Feliz Zwayer, Robert Hoyzer, referees, match fixing, German soccer, Aston Villa, Olympiacos, UEFA Conference League

German Ref Embroiled in 2005 Match-Fixing Case to Oversee UEFA Semi-Final

The referee for Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final between the EPL’s Aston Villa and Greek champion Olympiacos will be refereed by an official who once served a ban for his role in a gambling match-fixing scandal. UEFA’s appointment of Felix Zwayer has...

Philip Conneller May 8, 2024
Anthony Diehl, Pennsylvania skill games, vouchers, forgery

Gambling Machine Forger Bilked Stores Across Pennsylvania

A Bethlehem, Pa. man who allegedly operated a voucher-counterfeiting scheme for skill-gaming machines across northeastern Pennsylvania was charged last week with felony theft and forgery. Anthony Diehl targeted convenience stores, presenting bogus “winning” tickets either in person or through his recruited network...

Philip Conneller May 8, 2024