Reporter:
Ed Silverstein is a senior reporter covering gambling law and crime news for Casino.org. Ed is an award-winning journalist with credits ranging from the Associated Press to American Lawyer Media. Ed joined the Casino.org news team in 2019 after decades of experience in legal reporting.
His past reporting and editing assignments include Cowles Business Media, Columbia University Press, the Connecticut Post, and Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc. Besides the law and its application to the gaming industry, Ed’s areas of expertise span business, politics, education, and state and local government.
Ed holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and master’s degrees from Harvard and Yale. His professional awards include recognition from the New England Press Association and New England AP News Executives.
Ed currently resides in Connecticut, where he enjoys photography and bowling in his spare time.
Contact Ed at [email protected].
Areas of Expertise
2385 stories by Ed Silverstein
Casino Crime Roundup: Man Charged for New Hampshire Holdup
A 26-year-old man was arrested this week for allegedly robbing a woman in the parking lot of New Hampshire’s Filotimo Casino & DraftKings Sports Book. Estevan Perez Ortiz of Manchester, NH, was charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon for the...
Brutal Nevada Murder Linked to Prostitution
Both a murdered woman and a suspect accused in her recent violent death were sex workers in Las Vegas, according to police reports. The victim, Marayna Rodgers, 23, had left Washington State on December 1 to work as a prostitute in Las...
Ex-New York State Trooper Avoids Prison For Gambling Ring Tip-Off
A retired New York State Police sergeant was given probation this week after he admitted he tipped-off an illegal gaming ring about a police inquiry. Thomas J. Loewke, 52, of Rochester, was given two years’ probation by a federal judge on Monday...
Gambling-Addicted Priest Allegedly Stole $117K From His Church
A Pennsylvania Greek Orthodox priest who suffers from a gambling addiction appeared in court this week for allegedly stealing more than $117K from his church. Father George Athanasiou, 37, was charged in connection with the embezzlement from bank accounts belonging to All...
Casino Crime Roundup: Arson Fire Leads to Arrest
A former employee was arrested recently in connection with the intentional fire set last week at the Desert Rose Casino in Alturas, Calif., authorities said. Calob Matthew Gersalia, 25, was charged with intentionally starting a fire at the property at approximately 8...
Las Vegas Teens Accused in Student’s Murder Claim Self-Defense
Four of the nine teenagers who allegedly participated in the fatal attack on a Las Vegas high school student say they acted in self-defense. The victim, rather than the defendants, threw the first punch in the fight, which took place in an...
Casino Crime Roundup: Player Damages Elevator, Gets Trapped Inside
A 45-year-old man was arrested this month after he allegedly vandalized an elevator at Pennsylvania’s Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The unnamed Harrisburg, Pa. resident lost money while wagering and became angry during his December 9 visit to the gaming...
Las Vegas Tourist Allegedly Kidnapped, Murdered By Basketball Player
A pro basketball player and his girlfriend allegedly killed a 23-year-old woman whose body was found this month in Henderson, Nev., authorities revealed on Sunday. The basketball player, Chance Comanche, 27, and the girlfriend, Sakari Harnden, 19, are to be charged with...
Nevada Supreme Court Rules Against Nathan Chasing Horse
Former cult leader Nathan Chasing Horse failed to get his charges dropped by Nevada’s top court, according to a ruling released this week. Attorneys attempted to have the state Supreme Court throw out pending counts for alleged improper sexual relationships and related...
Tropicana, Mirage Hospitality Workers Reach Tentative Contracts
This week, unionized employees at The Tropicana Las Vegas and The Mirage gave their initial backing for five-year labor agreements. Once approved, the contracts will cover some 2,000 members of the Culinary Union, the union announced on Wednesday. Some 1,700 of the...