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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

Churchill Downs stock split

Churchill Downs Wants to Offer Horse Racing to Online Sportsbooks

Churchill Downs Incorporated is looking at ways to connect its horse racing product with online sports wagering operators and the millions of bettors who gamble on them. The plan was revealed by CEO Bill Carstanjen to investment analysts Thursday. It’s part of a...

Steve Bittenbender July 28, 2022
CNIGA Chair Siva

California Tribal Gaming Leader Says Feds Right to Reject Gaming Compacts

The leader of California’s tribal gaming association says he agrees with the US Department of the Interior. That's regarding its decisions last week to reject gaming compact amendments submitted by two of its members and the state. California Nations Indian Gaming Association...

Steve Bittenbender July 27, 2022
Revolutionary Racing

Kentucky Awards License for Revolutionary Racing’s $55M Quarter Horse Track

Quarter horse racing is coming to Kentucky. On Tuesday, the state’s Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) voted unanimously to approve Revolutionary Racing’s application to build a $55 million track in Ashland. Groundbreaking is expected to occur later this year. With the award, all...

Steve Bittenbender July 26, 2022
Soldier Field

Chicago Unveils New Solider Field Plans to Sway Bears from Arlington Park

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will not let the city’s beloved Bears leave for the suburbs without a fight. On Monday, she and other city leaders unveiled their plans to re-renovate historic Soldier Field, where the NFL team has called home for more...

Steve Bittenbender July 25, 2022
Monmouth Haskell

Monmouth Park Fixed-Odds Horse Racing App a No-Show for the Haskell

Monmouth Park ran its 14-race Haskell Stakes card without launching its MonmouthBets.com app in New Jersey. That's after previously saying an online site for fixed-odds horse racing would launch before the premier event of its meet. Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of...

Steve Bittenbender July 25, 2022
Sporttrade $36 million

Q&A: Sporttrade’s Alex Kane Talks New Jersey Launch and Future of Exchanges

The countdown is on for Sporttrade. The Philadelphia-based sports betting exchange is in the final stages of preparations for its initial launch. Come September, the company, founded by Chair and CEO Alex Kane, plans to be live in New Jersey. The company...

Steve Bittenbender July 25, 2022
Cincinnati Skyline

Ohio Bars Start to Submit Applications to Host Sports Betting Kiosks

The second phase of Ohio’s sports betting license application process is underway. It’s now time for the state’s bars to begin submitting their applications to have kiosks installed in their locations. Through Saturday, 125 eligible locations have submitted their paperwork, according to...

Steve Bittenbender July 24, 2022
PlayUp

PlayUp Seeks Legal Sanctions Against Ex-US CEO After Failing to Produce 17K Emails

Attorneys for PlayUp have filed a motion in federal court seeking sanctions against Dr. Laila Mintas, the sports betting operator's ex-US CEO. That's after she failed to produce 17,000 email messages she discussed in her deposition. The call for sanctions was filed...

Steve Bittenbender July 21, 2022
Hawaiian Gardens

California AFSCME Union Opposes Prop 26 Tribal Sports Betting Initiative

Yet another major player in California politics came out Thursday with a stance on the California sports betting measures that will be on the November ballot. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36 announced its opposition...

Steve Bittenbender July 21, 2022
Phantom Fireworks

Phantom Fireworks Says Proposed Ohio Sportsbook Would ‘Give Back’ to Youngstown

When the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) released the names of the latest sports betting applicants that had submitted their paperwork by Friday, many familiar and expected names were on the list. Sports teams and casinos were on there, as were several...

Steve Bittenbender July 21, 2022