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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

4174 stories by Philip Conneller

Golden West Casino Shooting Sees Conviction of Alleged MS-13 Gang Member
March 19, 2025

Golden West Casino Shooting Sees Conviction of Alleged MS-13 Gang Member

Rafael Lainez Castro convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter in Bakersfield Security guard fired back after suspect shot first Alleged MS-13 gang member faces up to 15 years in prison A Bakersfield, Calif., man who fired...

Written by Philip Conneller
Encore Boston Harbor Fracas Ends in Courtroom Stabbing, Local Rapper ‘BlueHunitz’ Charged
March 17, 2025

Encore Boston Harbor Fracas Ends in Courtroom Stabbing, Local Rapper ‘BlueHunitz’ Charged

Fight at Encore Boston Harbor led to a stabbing outside court Local rapper Kalongie Bradley, aka "BlueHunitz" charged Victim in "stable but serious" condition A fight that began in the Encore Boston Harbor Casino on...

Written by Philip Conneller
Thousands Sign Petition Opposing LVS Texas Casino Plan
March 15, 2025

Thousands Sign Petition Opposing LVS Texas Casino Plan

Residents petition against proposed Las Vegas Sands casino. Casino plan depends on Texas legalizing gambling. Irving council to vote on zoning approval Monday. Commercial casino gaming may be illegal in Texas, but that didn’t stop...

Written by Philip Conneller
Northern Quest Casino Moccasin Theft Mystery Sees 11th Hour Guilty Plea
March 13, 2025

Northern Quest Casino Moccasin Theft Mystery Sees 11th Hour Guilty Plea

Thief Kevin Wissman admitted stealing moccasins from Northern Quest Casino FBI and Kalispel Tribe still seeking the missing cultural artifacts Wissman, with a lengthy criminal past, faces sentencing on June 12 The mysterious disappearance of...

Written by Philip Conneller
UK Gambling Commission’s ‘Unprecedented Blunder’ in ex-Porn Baron’s £200M Lawsuit
March 13, 2025

UK Gambling Commission’s ‘Unprecedented Blunder’ in ex-Porn Baron’s £200M Lawsuit

UKGC lawyers mistakenly sent 4,321 privileged documents to the opposition. Richard Desmond claims lottery bidding errors unfairly hurt Northern & Shell. Trial set for October; UKGC warns of lottery funding impacts. Lawyers for the UK...

Written by Philip Conneller
Ex-NFL Player Gets 2.5 Years for $5 Million ‘African Goldmine’ Ponzi Scheme
March 12, 2025

Ex-NFL Player Gets 2.5 Years for $5 Million ‘African Goldmine’ Ponzi Scheme

Former NFL linebacker John Leake sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for a $5 million Ponzi scheme   Solicited more than $8 million from victims, using funds for gambling and personal expenses  Pleaded guilty to wire...

Written by Philip Conneller
Olympic Casino Group fined €8.4 Million for Role in €42 Million BaltCap Scandal
March 11, 2025

Olympic Casino Group fined €8.4 Million for Role in €42 Million BaltCap Scandal

Baltic casino operator Olympic Casino Group Baltija has been fined €8.4 million (US$9.2 million) for allowing a rogue BaltCap private equity manager to gamble millions without checks or balances. Lithuanian national Šarūnas Stepukonis was arrested...

Written by Philip Conneller
Venetian Las Vegas Sued by Widow Over Death Involving Sex Worker
March 10, 2025

Venetian Las Vegas Sued by Widow Over Death Involving Sex Worker

Venetian Las Vegas sued for wrongful death by widow after husband’s fatal fentanyl overdose Victim was robbed by a sex worker who later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is now in prison The lawsuit...

Written by Philip Conneller
La Bolita: Is the Underground ‘Little Ball’ Lottery Making a Comeback in Florida?
March 10, 2025

La Bolita: Is the Underground ‘Little Ball’ Lottery Making a Comeback in Florida?

Bolita’s Return? Recent Florida arrests suggest a resurgence of the illegal lottery. Is it making a comeback or just targeted enforcement? Digital systems now process illicit bets on state lotteries. Police in Florida have arrested...

Written by Philip Conneller
Sacre Bleu! France Decries Lottery’s English-Language Makeover
March 10, 2025

Sacre Bleu! France Decries Lottery’s English-Language Makeover

French lottery corporation has changed its name from FDJ to FDJ United The move comes following two international acquistions and an expansion of its business Some native French speakers decry the "internationalization" of the company's...

Written by Philip Conneller