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Reporter: Steve Bittenbender

Steve Bittenbender covers Midwest and Gulport news for Casino.org. He also specializes in sports betting and horse racing. Steve is a veteran reporter and brings more than two decades of experience covering sports, business and politics. He joined Casino.org in 2019.

Steve has also covered major collegiate and professional sports for the Associated Press and the Louisville Courier-Journal and is frequently featured on local network TV newscasts and podcasts for his horse racing business and legislative expertise. A Reuters contributor, he has also previously served as editor for Government Security News.

Steve lives in Louisville, Kentucky -- the epicenter of the US horse racing industry -- with his wife and son. He is also an avid poker player, having learned from his uncle as a wholesome after-school pastime with cookies and milk.

Contact Steve at stevebittenbender@casino.org.

Areas of Expertise

1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender

MGM Culinary Union lawsuit

Culinary Union Drops COVID-19 Lawsuit Against MGM as Arbitration Session Begins

As expected, an expedited arbitration case began Tuesday between the Culinary Union and MGM Resorts International. That came one day after the labor organization filed a motion to voluntarily remove the Las Vegas-based gaming company from a federal lawsuit concerning protecting workers...

Steve Bittenbender July 21, 2020
Householder charged

Racketeering Charge Against Ohio House Speaker Could Impact Chances for Sports Betting Bill

Larry Householder (R-Glenford) -- the Ohio Speaker of the House -- was one of five people arrested early Tuesday by federal authorities in connection with a $60 million racketeering and bribery scheme. The plot allegedly centered around an effort to pass a...

Steve Bittenbender July 21, 2020
Illinois sports betting

Illinois Gaming Board Takes Next Step with DraftKings, FanDuel, and PointsBet on Sports Betting Licenses

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) took actions last week that bring three sportsbooks closer to taking their first bets in the state. On Friday, the board awarded temporary operating permits to DraftKings and FanDuel. That came just three days after the IGB...

Steve Bittenbender July 20, 2020
Catawba casino

Catawba Nation Plans Groundbreaking for $300M North Carolina Casino As Federal Lawsuit Ongoing

The Catawba Indian Nation plans to break ground Wednesday on a casino resort near Charlotte, N.C., even though a rival tribe continues a court case against the planned $300 million project. The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that the Catawba tribe plans to...

Steve Bittenbender July 19, 2020

Nevada Gov. Sisolak Delays Special Session as Culinary Union Pushes for Worker Protections

The union that represents thousands of Nevada casino workers said on Friday that its members and their families are getting hit hard by the COVID-19 flare-up in the state. It wants state officials and industry executives to take measures to protect them....

Steve Bittenbender July 19, 2020
Congress college sports betting

US Senate Panel Slated to Discuss College Athletics Integrity Issues, Sports Betting on Wednesday

Sports betting and college athletics are scheduled to be the subjects of discussion at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing coming up this week. On Thursday, ESPN reported that Wednesday's hearing -- titled Protecting the Integrity of College Athletics -- will focus...

Steve Bittenbender July 18, 2020

MLB Deal with Betcris is League’s First Wagering Partnership in Latin America

Costa Rican sportsbook Betcris announced on Friday it secured a multi-year deal to become an official wagering partner for Major League Baseball in Latin America. It marks the first such agreement for MLB in a market that’s critically important for the sport....

Steve Bittenbender July 18, 2020
Authentic Haskell

Kentucky Derby Contender Authentic Favored to Win Saturday’s Haskell

Authentic looks to regain his winning ways on Saturday, as the Road to the Kentucky ventures into New Jersey for the running of the Grade I Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Bob Baffert-trained colt is coming off a second-place finish in...

Steve Bittenbender July 18, 2020
Wynn lawsuit dismissed

Federal Judge Dismisses Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Wynn Resorts

A federal judge in Nevada threw out a lawsuit against Wynn Resorts Ltd. earlier this week. The suit was brought forward by nine women who claimed the company knew founder Steve Wynn sexually harassed them and did nothing to create a safe...

Steve Bittenbender July 17, 2020
Del Mar COVID-19

Del Mar Dark This Weekend After 15 Riders Test Positive for COVID-19

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will not race this weekend after the southern California track reported that 15 jockeys tested positive for COVID-19. The San Diego County track was scheduled to race Friday through Sunday. The news came after two high profile jockeys...

Steve Bittenbender July 17, 2020