1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Preakness Win Could Put Epicenter on Track to be 3-Year-Old Champion
In some ways, Saturday’s Preakness is as many expected. Epicenter comes to Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course off a strong showing in the Kentucky Derby and is the heavy morning-line favorite. The main difference is that Epicenter finished second two weeks ago thanks...
California Sports Betting Update: More City, Civic Leaders Take Their Stand
UPDATE 5/21 2:30 pm ET - This story has been updated to include a response from a spokeswoman for "Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming" regarding concerns from cardrooms over the tribal sports betting measure's language allowing lawsuits against illegal gaming operations. A...
Chicago Casino Update: Votes Coming Soon on Bally’s $1.7 Billion Project
A vote could take place as early as Friday on Bally’s Corp.’s $1.7 billion casino proposal for Chicago. The Chicago City Council’s special committee on the project will hold a 10 am CT meeting. The agenda includes consideration of an ordinance amending...
Epicenter Owner Frets About Kentucky Horse Racing After Koenig’s Primary Loss
A prominent Kentucky horseman said Thursday he’s worried about the impact state Rep. Adam Koenig’s loss in a primary election earlier this week may have on horse racing in the Bluegrass State. Ron Winchell spoke to reporters Thursday in advance of Saturday’s...
Ohio Sports Betting Universal Launch Date to be Revealed on June 1
Ohio officials expect to announce on June 1 when legalized sports betting will start in the state. But on Wednesday, the state’s Casino Control Commission (OCCC) advised that the launch will not occur any time in the near future. The law passed...
Preakness Draws Nine With No Triple Crown at Stake; Epicenter Favored
Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter is the heavy favorite after drawing the eighth post Monday afternoon for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt got 6-5 morning-line odds after officials drew post positions for the second jewel in the Triple Crown, which will...
Indy 500 Signs Caesars Sportsbook as Its Official Sports Betting Partner
The Indianapolis 500 is two weeks away, and on Saturday, owners of the famed Brickyard announced a partnership with Caesars Entertainment for this year’s race. Caesars Sportsbook will serve as the Official Sports Betting Partner for the race and the Indianapolis Motor...
NFL Betting Kicks Off After League Unveils 2022 Regular Season Schedule
The NFL regular season does not start for another four months, and most players won’t report for training camp until late July. However, the league still found a way to capture the attention of sports fans on Thursday with the release of...
Hard Rock Northern Indiana Opens State’s Newest Sportsbook
The Hard Rock Northern Indiana, the state's newest sportsbook, opened earlier this week. The venue elebrated the grand opening of its retail sportsbook on Wednesday. Located at the northern end of the state’s newest casino, the venue offers a ticket counter that’s...
Chicago Officials Eager for Bally’s Casino to Proceed, But Council Members Push Back
When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced last week the city had selected Bally’s Corp. as the company it wanted to build a casino in the city, she recalled the effort then-Mayor Richard M. Daley initiated 30 years earlier. She was just starting...
