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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

4176 stories by Philip Conneller

Clueless Lottery Player Misses Out on £11M Jackpot
July 26, 2024

Clueless Lottery Player Misses Out on £11M Jackpot

When a UK man matched all six numbers on the country’s National Lottery, he naturally began dreaming of how to spend the £11 million (US$14.2 million) jackpot. Mark Fletcher, a 49-year-old dad from Wigan, England,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Florida Gambling Den Owner Wants Confiscated $142K Back
July 25, 2024

Florida Gambling Den Owner Wants Confiscated $142K Back

The owner the Golden Nugget Arcade in Palm Beach Gardens is asking authorities to return the $142,029 in cash seized from the venue when it was shut down for illegal gambling and money laundering in...

Written by Philip Conneller
European Soccer Sponsorship Linked to Tech Crime Network Involved in Human Trafficking
July 25, 2024

European Soccer Sponsorship Linked to Tech Crime Network Involved in Human Trafficking

Investigators have uncovered the existence of a shadowy criminal tech group that acts as a “full cybercrime supply chain” for dozens of online gambling brands targeting the Chinese market. The group, dubbed “Vigorish Viper” by...

Written by Philip Conneller
Tennessee Store Clerk Filched $1M Lottery Ticket, Cops Say
July 24, 2024

Tennessee Store Clerk Filched $1M Lottery Ticket, Cops Say

A Tennessee store clerk has been charged with Class A felony theft of more than $250K for his failed plot to steal a customer’s $1 million winning lottery ticket. When the clerk, Meet Patel, 23,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Philippines Bans $3B POGO Industry
July 23, 2024

Philippines Bans $3B POGO Industry

Efforts are underway to dismantle the Philippines' online gambling -- or POGO -- industry after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday its total ban, “effective immediately.” The POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) sector is...

Written by Philip Conneller
Isle Casino Gambler Claims Jackpot with Fake Name, Gets Double-Busted
July 22, 2024

Isle Casino Gambler Claims Jackpot with Fake Name, Gets Double-Busted

An Iowa man who joined the state’s self-exclusion program was arrested after he tried to claim a jackpot at the Isle Casino in Waterloo, Iowa, while pretending to be someone else. Matthew James Wessels, 43,...

Written by Philip Conneller
Macau to Auction Alvin Chau’s Property Portfolio, Seeking Restitution
July 22, 2024

Macau to Auction Alvin Chau’s Property Portfolio, Seeking Restitution

Assets of fallen junket king Alvin Chau will be auctioned off by the Macau government as it seeks to recoup the US$3.2 billion owed by Chau and his former company, Suncity. This includes Chau’s real-estate...

Written by Philip Conneller
Bob Baffert ‘Takes Responsibility’ for Medina Spirit Drug Test, Ban Lifted
July 22, 2024

Bob Baffert ‘Takes Responsibility’ for Medina Spirit Drug Test, Ban Lifted

Churchill Downs Inc. has lifted its ban on trainer Bob Baffert from racing his horses at their tracks. That’s after the Horse Racing Hall of Famer issued a statement accepting responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive...

Written by Philip Conneller
Iowa Files to Dismiss College Athlete Suit Alleging Botched Betting Prosecutions
July 17, 2024

Iowa Files to Dismiss College Athlete Suit Alleging Botched Betting Prosecutions

The state of Iowa has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group of college athletes who claim their rights were violated when they were ‘illegally’ prosecuted for underage gambling. Twenty-six...

Written by Philip Conneller
Aristocrat Faces Lawsuit in Australia Over ‘Illegal’ Social Casino Games
July 16, 2024

Aristocrat Faces Lawsuit in Australia Over ‘Illegal’ Social Casino Games

Australian slots giant Aristocrat Leisure is facing a class-action lawsuit in its home country that accuses its digital arm, Pixel United, of offering illegal gambling. The suit, filed in the Federal Court of Australia, claims...

Written by Philip Conneller