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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

4173 stories by Philip Conneller

Treasure Island Casino Winner Beaten, $38K Stolen, Attacker Sentenced
June 4, 2025

Treasure Island Casino Winner Beaten, $38K Stolen, Attacker Sentenced

Victim attacked outside home after winning at casino Assailants stole $38K in early morning ambush Judge rejects leniency plea despite addiction defense A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for...

Written by Philip Conneller
Las Vegas Poker Player, Wife Busted in $57M Luxury Car Fraud
June 4, 2025

Las Vegas Poker Player, Wife Busted in $57M Luxury Car Fraud

Couple allegedly scammed investors with luxury resale scheme Victims promised huge profits from exotic car exports Fraud funded gambling, boats, jets, and personal expenses A Las Vegas poker player who believed a financially life-changing tournament...

Written by Philip Conneller
Cold Case Murder Suspect Killed Self at Kansas Star Casino Mid-Police Interview
June 4, 2025

Cold Case Murder Suspect Killed Self at Kansas Star Casino Mid-Police Interview

Suspect shot himself mid-interview with Oklahoma investigators Wife of gambler killed in 2010; baby left unharmed Shocking death raises more questions in cold case A suspect in the 2010 murder of an Oklahoma City woman...

Written by Philip Conneller
Video Shows Olympian Gabby Thomas Harassed by Gambler During Philly Track Meet
June 3, 2025

Video Shows Olympian Gabby Thomas Harassed by Gambler During Philly Track Meet

Gambler brags about heckling Thomas to influence betting outcome Social media videos show harassment before and after her race Sports betting surge linked to athlete abuse, study finds Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas was...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ione Band of Miwok’s Sacramento-Area Casino on Track After 18-Year Battle
June 2, 2025

Ione Band of Miwok’s Sacramento-Area Casino on Track After 18-Year Battle

Acorn Ridge Casino to open in spring 2026 Ione Band won decades-long legal battle to build casino After more than 18 years of legal battles, the Ione Band of Miwok Indians is on track to...

Written by Philip Conneller
Texas Lottery Spared: Four-Year Extension Clears Legislature
June 1, 2025

Texas Lottery Spared: Four-Year Extension Clears Legislature

Texas lawmakers passed SB 3070, extending the state lottery for four more years. The Texas Lottery Commission will be dissolved and oversight transferred. A $95M jackpot won by a European syndicate sparked intense scrutiny. The...

Written by Philip Conneller
DraftKings Sued for $14.2M by Bettor Who Used Weather to Predict Winning Golfers
June 1, 2025

DraftKings Sued for $14.2M by Bettor Who Used Weather to Predict Winning Golfers

Iowa man Nicholas Bavas sues DraftKings for $14.2M over voided golf bets. Bavas placed five parlays predicting top finishers at Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He bet on weather delays, anticipating the tournament would be shortened. A...

Written by Philip Conneller
Canadian Says Ex Took $5 Million Lottery Jackpot, Ran Off With New Lover
May 28, 2025

Canadian Says Ex Took $5 Million Lottery Jackpot, Ran Off With New Lover

Plaintiff claims he bought $5M winning ticket but lacked valid ID to claim it. Krystal McKay claimed the prize on his behalf and deposited it in her account. McKay abruptly left him days later and...

Written by Philip Conneller
Judge: Vallejo Casino Halt May Not Equal ‘Harm’ to Scotts Valley Band – Yet
May 25, 2025

Judge: Vallejo Casino Halt May Not Equal ‘Harm’ to Scotts Valley Band – Yet

Tribe seeks to stop federal review of casino project Judge questions urgency but flags possible agency overreach Rival tribes challenge ancestral claim to Vallejo land A federal judge In Washington D.C. appeared to agree with...

Written by Philip Conneller
Aged Mafia Boss Ralph DeLeo Charged in Murder Plot Against Feds
May 23, 2025

Aged Mafia Boss Ralph DeLeo Charged in Murder Plot Against Feds

Ex-Colombo boss accused of plotting revenge killings Prosecutors say DeLeo targeted officials from 2012 case Arrest yields burglary tools, dossiers, and silicone mask note They say wisdom comes with age, but one aging wise guy...

Written by Philip Conneller