1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
NYRA Handle for 2019 Again Tops $2.1 Billion Despite Weather Forcing Fewer Races
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) reported a marginal drop in betting for 2019, with the dip attributable to fewer race days and races at its three tracks. The all-sources handle was $2.1 billion, just $8.3 million, or .4 percent, off of...
Churchill Downs Faces Federal Lawsuit After Union Claims Track Violated Collective Bargaining Agreement
A lawsuit was filed in a Kentucky federal court earlier this week claiming Churchill Downs breached a union labor deal by keeping temporary employees for longer than the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) allows. The Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local No....
British Gaming Companies Under Fire as Gambling Commission Investigates VIP Practices
The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission is mulling whether it should ban “VIP” programs after a report indicates British gaming companies may use rewards to entice customers who are highly likely to become addicted. British newspaper The Guardian posted an article Thursday that...
Santa Anita Suffers Two Deaths in First Week of Meet; Opening Day Handle, Attendance Drop
Santa Anita will resume horse racing on Friday, but it entered 2020 under the same shadow that fell over the Southern California track all last year. On the last race of its New Year’s Day card, the track suffered its first racing...
As New Hampshire Ushers in Sports Betting, Questions About Allowing Teenagers to Participate Linger
On Monday, when Gov. Chris Sununu placed the first bet, New Hampshire became the 14th state to roll out sports betting in the country. However, the Granite State also became just the second state to allow 18-year-olds to place wagers on sporting...
Bettors Roll With Favorite Alabama Over Michigan in Citrus Bowl Wednesday
It’s not often that a New Year’s Day bowl is a disappointment for both teams. But that’s what we have with Wednesday’s Florida Citrus Bowl. When the season began, both the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines had designs on being in...
Indiana Racinos to Celebrate New Year by Offering Live Table Games
Indiana’s two racinos are now just hours away from offering table games at their venues. When the clock strikes 1 pm ET Wednesday, Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino will open 28 table games. At the same time, the Indiana Grand Racing...
NFL Playoffs Set With Ravens, 49ers as Super Bowl Favorites; Patriots, Saints, Seahawks, and Texans Favored in Wild Card Games
The NFL playoffs are set, as the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles clinched the final two playoff spots Sunday on the final day of the regular season. In addition to teams clinching, the seedings were determined thanks to some exciting action on...
Tennessee Extends Comment Period on Draft Sports Betting Rules Until January 6
The public comment period regarding the Tennessee sports betting draft regulations has been extended until Jan. 6. That extra time may lead to additional comments regarding a couple of proposed rules that aren’t considered bettor-friendly. Since the regulations were released on Nov....
Nevada Sportsbooks Reach Historic Handle in November, Break $600 Million for First Time
The proliferation of sports betting across the United States certainly hasn’t seemed to hurt the Nevada sportsbooks at all. The granddaddy of the US sports betting scene posted a handle of nearly $613.6 million in November. It marks the first time the...
