Areas of Expertise
1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...