1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
West Virginia Lawmaker Lashes Out as Two Sportsbooks Stay Closed in Dispute
UPDATE: On Wednesday, West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers said his office continues to monitor the situation with Mardi Gras and Wheeling Island casinos. “Discussions are ongoing and we are hopeful that an agreement between the provider and its vendor will be...
Split Rebel Stakes Leads to Record Day at Arkansas’ Oaklawn
Oaklawn Racing and Gaming's Rebel Stakes proved to be a record-setting day on Saturday. The Arkansas track drew national attention for splitting its Rebel Stakes into two divisions, which allowed horses from California to fly in and take part in a Kentucky Derby prep...
AGA March Madness Survey Shows Americans Love Watching and Betting on NCAA Tournament, But Not Always Legally
A new survey by the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows just how mad Americans are about college basketball this time of year. The findings, released on Monday, show 47 million adults -- or nearly one in five -- will make some type...
Race to Kentucky Derby Recap: Rebel Stakes Offers Fantastic Finishes at Weekend Oaklawn in Arkansas
Saturday was a big day on the road to the Kentucky Derby, as both divisions of the Rebel Stakes ended in dramatic fashion. In each race at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, a less-than-even-money favorite was edged out at the wire. Surprise Endings...
Road to Kentucky Derby Goes Through Arkansas This Weekend, Game Winner and Improbable Promise Thrills
It’s a week later than expected, but the top two contenders for this year’s Kentucky Derby will finally hit the track. Even though Game Winner and Improbable won’t face each other, this should rank as one of the most exciting weekends leading...
Kentucky Sports Betting Bill Out of Time for 2019 General Assembly
An attempt to pass legislation that would legalize sports betting in Kentucky has fallen short for this year, the bill's primary sponsor said. State Rep. Adam Koenig acknowledged on Twitter Tuesday night that House Bill 175 would not receive a vote in...
March Madness Kicks Off for Major College Basketball Teams, Conference Tourneys Offer Last Chances
Across the country, the first act of March Madness is winding down as the nation’s top conferences have begun their league tournaments. While the NCAA Tournament field won’t officially be announced until Sunday evening, most of the schools know where they stand...
FanDuel Pierces Philly Market with New Valley Forge Casino Sportsbook in Pennsylvania
DFS giant FanDuel opened its latest sportsbook on Wednesday afternoon, officially entering the Pennsylvania market. The FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino Resort gives the company a presence in the Philadelphia market with its location in King of Prussia. The facility seats...
Minor League Key Exec Sees Major Problem with Expanded Sports Betting
As more professional sports leagues look to partner with gaming entities, at least one entity is expressing concern about what expanded legal sports betting might do to its game. In an interview with the Boston Herald, Pat O’Conner, president and CEO of Minor...
Favorites Find Rough Trips on Road to Kentucky Derby: Weekend Recap
The cancellation of the San Felipe Stakes took a lot of luster off this past weekend’s Kentucky Derby prep races, and as such, there was little movement among the contenders for a spot in racing’s crown event. Three prep races went off,...
