1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
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...
Sports Betting ‘Unlikely’ to Pass This Year After Kentucky House Returns Bill to Committee
Prospects for Kentucky to legalize sports betting this year took a turn for the worse this week, when the bill that would legalize it and other forms of gaming was sent back to committee. The state House recommitted House Bill 137 to...
Aussie Rules Football Kicks Off 2020 Season Thursday as Defending Champs Richmond Hosts Carlton (VIDEO)
Starting on Thursday, sports fans seeking live action instead of a classic replay are in luck. The only catch is, you’ll need to stay up late – or get up early – to watch. Australian Rules Football (AFL) kicks off its season...
Caesars Shuts Down All North American Venues For COVID-19 Outbreak
After governors in several states had already issued orders to temporarily close casinos because of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced late Tuesday that it would shut down all the properties the company owns in North America. In a statement delivered...
Silver State Shutdown: Sisolak Closes Casinos, Non-Essential Businesses in Nevada for 30 Days, Tells Residents to Stay Home
In a stern voice underlying the stakes at hand, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Tuesday evening all non-essential businesses – including casinos – would be shut down for the next 30 days, as the state looks to control the spread of the...
Five Iowa State-Licensed Casinos Close, Other 14 Striving To Stay Open
Five of Iowa’s 19 state-licensed casinos announced they would close temporarily on Monday as part of the effort to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the midwestern state. Those locking their doors are Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in...
Horse Racing: Keeneland Cancels Spring Meet, Aqueduct Stays Open, Monmouth Park Delays Opening Day
Keeneland announced Monday that its annual spring meet would be canceled this year because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Lexington, Ky., track was to run from April 2-24. It comes a day after the Red Mile, a Lexington harness track that partners...
Bob Baffert Hints Kentucky Derby May Run in June or September Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Legendary horse trainer Bob Baffert has made many headlines regarding his sport's signature race in the past. He did so again on Saturday, but his remarks had nothing to do with his two horses that ran during the day. Rather, he shed...
Indiana Orders State-Licensed Casinos, Tracks to Close by Monday, Tribal Four Winds Plans to Remain Open
Indiana became the latest state to close its casinos, when the state’s regulatory body announced on Saturday that all gaming venues would close temporarily to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. The move will affect the 10 state-licensed casinos, two racinos,...
