1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Nevada Gov. Sisolak Plans to Reopen Businesses – Not Restaurants and Casinos – by May 15
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak unveiled the first part of his COVID-19 recovery program for the state Thursday, saying he wants to begin reopening businesses on May 15, if not sooner. However, casinos will not be among those getting the initial go-ahead to...
Reports Claim Feds to Grant Early Prison Release for Legendary Sports Bettor Billy Walters
Billy Walters, a well-known sports bettor currently serving five years for insider trading, will be released from federal prison, according to media reports. That could happen as soon as this weekend. George Knapp, an investigative reporter for Las Vegas TV station KLAS,...
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Allows Churchill Downs to Prepare for Racing Without Fans
Churchill Downs received approval on Wednesday from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to open its backstretch to horsemen on May 11. That will mark the first day they can bring horses to the iconic Kentucky track and prepare them for the upcoming spring...
Second Round of PPP Loans Comes Too Late to Save Nevada’s Lakeside Inn
On Monday, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) started taking loan applications from lenders for the second phase of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). That's the COVID-19 relief program designed to help small businesses keep their workers on their payrolls during the...
Kambi Reports First Quarter Revenue, Profits Up as Company Addresses COVID-19 Impact
Sports betting technology company Kambi Group announced on Friday that revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were up by 33 percent over last year's same time frame. That's even with the coronavirus wreaking havoc with the sports world in the final...
UFC 249 to Jacksonville, Fla., as Dana White Plans Three Cards in One Week
Roughly a week after UFC President Dana White announced that UFC 249 would take place on May 9, we’ve now learned that the event that’s seemingly in a never-ending state of flux will now take place in Florida. On Friday, White announced...
Churchill Downs Talks with Kentucky Officials to Resume Racing, Virtual Derby Planned
Saturday was supposed to be opening day at Churchill Downs. But like most sports venues across the country, the Louisville race track sat vacant because of the COVID-19 crisis. When horse racing can resume at the venerable Kentucky landmark remains to be...
Virginia Lawmakers OK Skill Games For COVID-19 Relief, But Some Fear ‘Wild West’ Atmosphere
Skill machines got a reprieve in Virginia, as the state legislature on Wednesday approved amendments by Gov. Ralph Northam to keep the games in the state for one more year to help raise funds for COVID-19 relief. The state Senate voted 32-8...
NFL Sets Las Vegas For 2022 Draft as 2020 Event Is Sportsbooks Boon
Thursday night was supposed to be Las Vegas’ night to shine. Unfortunately, COVID-19 took away the NFL Draft from the Vegas Strip. But during the football league’s teledraft, Commissioner Roger Goddell gave Sin City residents some good news. Goodell revealed that the...
MGM’s Bill Hornbuckle Says Casinos Will Look Different When They Reopen After Pandemic
MGM Resorts International’s new leader said in a video message to employees Tuesday to expect changes to how the Las Vegas-based company’s casinos will operate once they’re given the green light to open by state regulators. Acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle reminded the...
