Casino.org The World's Online Gaming Authority Since 1995
Menu
Avatar photo

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

3038 stories by Philip Conneller

Jian Jun Zhu

Vancouver Casino Money Laundering Kingpin Slaying Now Has Second Man Charged

Vancouver police have charged a second suspect in connection with the 2020 shooting death of alleged money laundering kingpin Jian Jun Zhu, Business in Vancouver reports. Yuexi Lei, also known as Alex Lei, 37, appeared in Richmond Provincial Court Thursday. He is...

Philip Conneller April 29, 2022
Freesoul

Chinese Casino Developer Freesoul Fined $650K for ‘Irreversible’ Fiji Environmental Damage

A court in Fiji has ordered Chinese casino developer Freesoul Real Estate Development to pay US$650,000 for causing environmental damage. That’s after it wrecked huge swathes of mangroves and a coral reef while building a casino resort on idyllic Fijian island of...

Philip Conneller April 28, 2022
action factory

Cincinnati Poker Club Sues Sheriff’s Office After ‘Raid’ Threat

A Cincinnati poker club that was told it would be raided by law enforcement if it dared to open its doors, is suing municipal officials and the local sheriff’s office. That's according to the latest reports from The Cincinnati Enquirer. The Action...

Philip Conneller April 28, 2022
Genovese

Six Alleged Genovese Family Members Charged with Gambling, Extortion

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged six alleged Genovese crime family mobsters with racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and extortion. Among them were two alleged “capos” of the notorious New York Mafia family, Nicholas Calisi and Ralph “the Undertaker” Balsamo. Michael Messina and...

Philip Conneller April 27, 2022
Daley Blind, Davy Klaassen

Ajax Soccer Stars Blind, Klaassen Accused of Insider Trading in Sorare NFTs

Dutch soccer stars Daley Blind and Davy Klaassen are suspected of insider trading on NFT fantasy soccer platform Sorare, BNR reports. Fingers were prodded at Blind and Klassen ahead of the Dutch Cup Final (KNVB Cup), which played out between their team,...

Philip Conneller April 27, 2022
Michael Gu

iProsperity Fugitive Michael Gu Blew Millions at Star Sydney, Inquiry Hears

On Tuesday, a public inquiry into Star Sydney’s licensing suitability focused on the relationship between the casino’s head of VIP operations and alleged corporate fraudster Michael Gu. Gu was the head of Sydney-based property group iProsperity until it collapsed in 2020, owing...

Philip Conneller April 27, 2022
Gamal Abdelaziz

Ex-Wynn Resorts Exec Gamal Abdelaziz Appeals Sentence in College Admissions Scandal

A former Wynn Resorts executive sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in the college admissions bribery scandal appealed his conviction Monday. Gamal Abdelaziz, also known as Gamal Aziz, was found guilty of fraud and bribery conspiracy by a jury...

Philip Conneller April 26, 2022

Prison for NY Judge Who Helped Gambler Hide $10M Embezzlement From Credit Union

A former New York Supreme Court judge who helped cover up the embezzlement of $10 million from a nonprofit credit union by its drug-fueled, gambling-addicted ex-CEO, is heading to prison for 15 months. In December, Sylvia Ash, 64, was convicted of obstructing...

Philip Conneller April 25, 2022
Suncity

Suncity Entertainment Arm to Change Name to Yeah Yeah Group

Disgraced Macau junket group Suncity’s media and entertainment arm is mulling a name change as it seeks to distance itself from its jailed founder, Alvin Chau. Sun Entertainment Group Ltd has told shareholders that it should become “Yeah Yeah Group Holdings” to...

Philip Conneller April 25, 2022
IGT

IGT Sues UK Gambling Commission Over Partner Camelot’s Failed Lottery Bid

IGT is the latest litigant hoping to overturn the UK Gambling Commission’s decision to award Britain’s £80 billion (US$108 billion) National Lottery contract to Allywn Entertainment. IGT claims the UKGC violated its obligations to provide a fair and transparent procurement process, according...

Philip Conneller April 25, 2022