1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Senate Unanimously Passes $2 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill, Includes Aid for Gaming Companies and Workers
The US Senate late on Wednesday night unanimously passed the third phase of the country’s COVID-19 relief package. They approved a more than $2 trillion stimulus proposal designed to help businesses and workers get through the coronavirus pandemic that has brought nearly...
PokerStars Founder Isai Scheinberg, Last of the ‘Black Friday’ 11, Pleads Guilty to Running Illegal Online Gambling Site
UPDATE (11:45 am ET): A spokesperson for PokerStars founder Isai Scheinberg issued the following statement Thursday to Casino.org: “Mr. Scheinberg is pleased to put this matter behind him and that all charges other than violating the 1971 Gambling Act have been dropped....
Official Says Gulfstream Park Should Close, Obey COVID-19 Emergency Order in Broward County, Fla.
Horse racing is scheduled to resume Wednesday at Gulfstream Park in Florida. At least one local official has questioned whether the Hallandale Beach track should run its card as the community tries to control the spread of COVID-19. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel...
WV Gov. Justice Concerned About Bingo Halls Spreading COVID-19 as Gaming Groups Fear Impact of Closures
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice spoke of the dire conditions in his state over the weekend, as the COVID-19 outbreak started spreading in the Mountain State. The state was the last to record a positive test. However, since that happened on Tuesday,...
Oaklawn Racing and Gaming Pushes Arkansas Derby Back to May 2 After Kentucky Derby Rescheduled
Turns out there will be a Derby run on Derby Day after all. Oaklawn Racing and Gaming announced on Friday that it will move the Grade I Arkansas Derby, the Hot Springs, Ark., track’s major Kentucky Derby prep, to May 2. That...
MGM Resorts International Announces New Leadership as Murren Leaves for Nevada COVID-19 Panel
MGM Resorts International announced on Sunday afternoon that Bill Hornbuckle will become the gaming company’s acting CEO and Board Member Paul Salem will become its chairman. The move was announced shortly before Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak tabbed Jim Murren, the outgoing CEO...
Santa Anita Gets OK for Horse Racing After California Gov. Gavin Newsom Gives ‘Stay Home’ Order to Most Residents
Racing continued at Santa Anita on Friday afternoon,, one day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an order for most Golden State residents to stay at home with few exceptions to help combat the spread of the coronavirus. The exceptions the Democratic...
Seminoles Shut Down Hard Rock, Other Florida Tribal Casinos Indefinitely Due to COVID-19
The Seminole Tribe of Florida announced on Friday it would close its casinos in the Sunshine State to help control the spread of the coronavirus. The shutdown of its gaming venues took place at 6 p.m. ET. The Seminoles, which owns Hard...
COVID-19 Outbreak Forms Perfect Storm During Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, there have been more postponements, cancellations, and shutdowns in March than can probably be counted. Problem Gambling Awareness Month wasn’t among those, though. Elizabeth Thielen’s calendar was jam-packed with speaking engagements to discuss the topic at conferences...
New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton Positive for COVID-19, Attended Oaklawn Park Before Symptoms
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told ESPN Thursday that he was diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus. He becomes the first case identified within the NFL, but the impact may reach far beyond football in the sports world. Last Saturday, Payton was...
