Casino.org The World's Online Gaming Authority Since 1995
Menu
Avatar photo

Reporter: Steve Bittenbender

Steve Bittenbender covers Midwest and Gulport news for Casino.org. He also specializes in sports betting and horse racing. Steve is a veteran reporter and brings more than two decades of experience covering sports, business and politics. He joined Casino.org in 2019.

Steve has also covered major collegiate and professional sports for the Associated Press and the Louisville Courier-Journal and is frequently featured on local network TV newscasts and podcasts for his horse racing business and legislative expertise. A Reuters contributor, he has also previously served as editor for Government Security News.

Steve lives in Louisville, Kentucky -- the epicenter of the US horse racing industry -- with his wife and son. He is also an avid poker player, having learned from his uncle as a wholesome after-school pastime with cookies and milk.

Contact Steve at stevebittenbender@casino.org.

Areas of Expertise

1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender

Road to Kentucky Derby: Hidden Scroll Gets His First Test in Deeply Competitive Fountain of Youth

Last year, Justify bucked more than a century of horse racing tradition to go from an unraced 2-year-old to a Kentucky Derby winner. Could we see a repeat in 2019? Saturday may help us find out the answer to that question as...

Steve Bittenbender March 2, 2019

Bryce Harper Agrees to Landmark $330M Deal with Philadelphia, Oddsmakers Boost Phillies World Series Chances

Major League Baseball’s most prized free agent has finally found a home. Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon, according to numerous media reports. Word of the former Nationals slugger landing the largest contract...

Steve Bittenbender March 1, 2019

AGA Gaming Industry Study Shows Charitable Giving, Diversity as Major Tenets

The American Gaming Association (AGA) released a report on Wednesday showing the industry ranks above others when it comes to promoting social responsibility and a diverse workforce. The study -- conducted by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation on behalf of the...

Steve Bittenbender February 28, 2019

Nevada Gaming Control Board Denies MLB Request to Ban Spring Training Sports Bets

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has turned down a request from Major League Baseball (MLB) to keep the state’s sports books from posting odds on the league’s preseason contests. In a letter dated Feb. 21 to an MLB attorney, NGCB chairwoman...

Steve Bittenbender February 27, 2019

Iowa Sports Betting Bill Moves to House Committee for Thursday Vote

An Iowa sports betting bill is now making its way through the General Assembly and faces a key vote on Thursday. HSB 198 is scheduled to go before the House State Government Committee, and the bill’s sponsor expects it will pass. State...

Steve Bittenbender February 27, 2019

Kentucky Sports Betting Bill Goes to the Mat in Contested Televised Debate

A Kentucky sports betting bill saw advocates on both sides of the sports gambling debate make their case on television Monday night, just as the bill is making its way through the state's General Assembly. The forum -- held on Kentucky Educational...

Steve Bittenbender February 26, 2019

Santa Anita and Gulfstream: Graded Stakes for Older Horses Highlight Weekend Racing Card, Vasilika and Breaking Lucky Are Favorites

There are no Kentucky Derby prep races this weekend, giving a chance for some older horses to grab the spotlight at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and Gulfstream Park outside of Miami. Two graded stakes races will take place on Saturday,...

Steve Bittenbender February 22, 2019

Plan to Move Preakness from Baltimore’s Pimlico Rankles Mayor, Urges Multi-Use Plan to Save Track

Baltimore's mayor and Pimlico Race Course's owners remain at odds over a plan that would move horse racing's Preakness Stakes away from the city’s historic track. And neither side is mincing words when it comes to their viewpoints, with an ugly public battle...

Steve Bittenbender February 20, 2019

War of Will Becomes 2019 Kentucky Derby Rising Star After Third Straight Prep Win

When War of Will continued his impressive conversion to dirt racing with a 2-1/4-length victory in last Saturday’s Risen Star Stakes at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course, it propelled him one step closer to Kentucky Derby glory. The Grade II...

Steve Bittenbender February 19, 2019