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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

1982 stories by Steve Bittenbender

Times Square Ball

Ohio Sports Betting Will Start ‘Once the Ball Drops in Times Square’

Revelers won’t be the only ones this New Year’s Eve counting down the seconds until 2023 arrives. In Ohio, it’ll also mark the countdown for the launch of sports betting across the state. Whereas states like New York and Louisiana picked mid-morning...

Steve Bittenbender August 3, 2022
Joe Lupo

Hard Rock Picks Joe Lupo to Serve as President of Vegas Strip Casino

Hard Rock International announced Wednesday that Joe Lupo, the current president of the company’s Atlantic City casino, will be in charge of its planned Las Vegas Strip property. The move is subject to Nevada regulators approving the Florida-based company’s purchase of The...

Steve Bittenbender August 3, 2022
Harrah's Northern California

Caesars Vows to Stay Neutral in California Sports Betting Fight

Several entities are choosing sides in California’s sports betting debate. However, one major player in the gaming industry is choosing to sit this one out. Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg explained why to investment analysts during the Tuesday Las Vegas-based company’s second-quarter...

Steve Bittenbender August 2, 2022
New Ad

California Sports Betting Update: Sportsbooks Ad Hits at ‘Wealthy’ Tribes – VIDEO

There are less than 100 days now until California voters decide if they want to legalize sports betting. And on Monday, the group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to allowing online wagering released an ad online that punches back at tribal gaming...

Steve Bittenbender August 1, 2022
Playtech

Playtech Inks Online Casino Content Deal With 888 Holdings for US Markets

British gaming technology company Playtech announced a new deal with 888 Holdings on Thursday. The two companies have been partners, with Playtech operating its online casino games on 888 platforms in other regulated markets. This new agreement covers 888’s US iGaming apps,...

Steve Bittenbender July 31, 2022
Two Kings

Federal Officials Investigating Catawba Two Kings Casino Financial Structure

Construction on a long-planned and controversial Class III tribal casino resort near Charlotte, NC, has been held up by a federal investigation into the $273 million project. The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is investigating...

Steve Bittenbender July 31, 2022
Betting Hero 2

Betting Hero, Bankroll Unveil Plans for Sports Betting Concierge Service at Philly Bar

Bankroll, a soon-to-open luxury sports bar in Philadelphia, has announced it’s entering into a strategic partnership to develop a unique concierge service for its patrons. It is teaming with a firm that helps sports betting apps acquire customers. The partnership with Betting...

Steve Bittenbender July 30, 2022
New Hires

New Gaming Hires: Aruze Picks Hansen for iGaming; Wilson Joins GLI

Aruze Gaming America earlier this week brought on a new executive the Las Vegas-based company has tabbed to stand up its presence in the iGaming segment. On Thursday, the company announced it hired Kurt Hansen to serve as its vice president of...

Steve Bittenbender July 30, 2022
PlayUp

PlayUp Needs to Produce Missing 17K Emails, Ex-CEO Laila Mintas Says

The former head of PlayUp’s US division has refuted claims from her previous employer that she destroyed evidence. The charge is related to the lawsuit the Australian-based company filed against her. Instead, lawyers for Dr. Laila Mintas said it was the company that...

Steve Bittenbender July 29, 2022

California Gaming Compact Case Sees Ninth Circuit Side With Tribes

Five tribes suing the state of California for what they claimed were bad faith negotiations on gaming compacts scored another legal victory Thursday. That's when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in their favor. The majority opinion in the case is...

Steve Bittenbender July 29, 2022