1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Omaha Beach Installed as Morning Line Favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby
Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach was named the morning line favorite for 145th Kentucky Derby on Tuesday after the Richard Mandella-trained colt drew the No. 12 gate. The winner of his last three races, including two graded stakes, Omaha Beach received 4-1...
NY Gaming Commission Approves del Lago Plan to Cut Slots, Tables for Planned Sportsbook
The New York Gaming Commission paved the way for the del Lago Resort and Casino to begin work on its sportsbook. In a unanimous decision, the commission at its Monday meeting approved the casino’s request to reduce its slot machines and table...
Favorite Bellafina Lands Ideal Starting Gate in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks
Bellafina drew the fourth position for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and handicappers at Churchill Downs installed her at 2-1 odds for the Grade I stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Even before landing such a prime starting spot, the Simon Callaghan-trained horse was likely to...
Rockets, Warriors Renew Rivalry as NBA Playoffs Reach Second Round
It’s perhaps the most anticipated series of the NBA Playoffs, and it will tip off Sunday afternoon when Golden State hosts Houston for Game 1 of the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinal. It’s a rematch of last year’s conference final, which saw Houston...
MLB Top Prospect and AL Rookie of the Year Favorite Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Makes Highly Anticipated Debut
One of the most eagerly awaited baseball debuts in recent memory took place Friday night when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played his first major league game for Toronto. The top prospect, who just turned 20 last month, in the game went 1-for-4 with...
Study Reveals Nevada Most Gambling Addicted State in America
When most people think of gambling in the United States, they think of Nevada. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that a study released this week shows The Silver State leads in the nation in gambling addiction. WalletHub, a personal finance web site,...
Controversial Penalty Leads to Early Exit for Vegas in Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round
There will not be another run to the Stanley Cup Final for Vegas Golden Knights this season. Last year’s surprise team in the National Hockey League lost 5-4 in overtime Tuesday to host San Jose in a decisive Game 7 of the...
Kaufmann ‘Confident’ Iowa Governor Will Sign Sports Betting Bill Into Law
Iowa is poised to become the 12th state to legalize sports betting as a bill is now on the way to the governor’s desk. By a 67-31 margin on Monday, the Iowa House of Representative passed the Senate’s version of a bill...
Scientific Games Continues Focus on Sports Betting With New Portfolio of Applications
Scientific Games Corp. announced late last week the launching of a suite of products for use by sportsbooks. The company, which processes more online sports bets than any other company, said in a statement that OpenSports is a slate of products designed...
Oklahoma Grandma Leaves Boy in Hot Car at Casino, Faces Murder Rap
An Oklahoma woman pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges she abandoned her 5-year-old grandson, leading to his death, in order to go to a casino. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Alanna Jean Orr, 50, on second-degree murder charges. After...
