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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

Hollywood Park Casino

California Cardrooms File Suit Again to Block Tribal Sports Betting Measure

Two California cardroom casinos are heading back to the courts in their effort to block a tribal-backed sports betting initiative from going before voters in the fall. The Hollywood Park Casino and Cal-Pac Rancho Cordova released a statement on Monday announcing they...

Steve Bittenbender March 8, 2022
Queen of Terre Haute

Terre Haute Casino Groundbreaking Draws Closer After Rezoning Approved

A couple of key steps were taken this past week as officials in Terre Haute, Ind., signed off on changes Churchill Downs Inc. made to its planned casino in the west central Indiana city. On Thursday, the Terre Haute City Council voted...

Steve Bittenbender March 6, 2022
Koenig gaming bills

Kentucky Lawmakers Propose $225 Million Problem Gambling Trust Fund

A bill filed last week in the Kentucky General Assembly could transform the state into a leader for responsible gaming. Kentucky has been one of the few states to not fund gambling addiction services. That's despite its traditional horse racing market, a...

Steve Bittenbender March 6, 2022
Pretlow

New York Lawmakers Seek Inclusion, Lower Taxes in Mobile Sports Betting

New York’s top gaming lawmakers are teaming up for a proposal that would greatly overhaul how mobile sports betting operates in the state. Not only do they want to expand the number of operators, but they also want to reduce taxes, allow...

Steve Bittenbender March 6, 2022
Forbidden Kingdom

Kentucky Derby Prep: Three Key Races on the Schedule for Saturday

With just nine weeks before the Kentucky Derby, Saturday marks the first big day for Kentucky Derby prep races. Within the span of 15 minutes, up to three horses may punch their ticket for Louisville with wins in key stakes races at...

Steve Bittenbender March 5, 2022
Connor McDavid

NHL Star Connor McDavid Makes History, Becomes BetMGM Brand Ambassador

As we near the four-year anniversary of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) repeal, there aren’t many sports betting firsts left to be claimed. But one of those happened on Friday, when NHL All-Star Connor McDavid signed an endorsement deal...

Steve Bittenbender March 5, 2022
Baffert

Bob Baffert Suspension Stay Denied Again in Kentucky, Judge Will Hear Request

Bob Baffert will not have his 90-day suspension stayed as he appeals the ruling stewards made regarding disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. That was the decision of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which met in a specially called meeting on Friday...

Steve Bittenbender March 4, 2022
Cockfighting

Kentucky Cockfighting Investigations Lead to Federal Indictments Against 17 People

Some 17 Kentuckians face federal charges of animal cruelty tied to cockfighting after being indicted by a grand jury. That’s according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, which announced the cases on Wednesday. The charges came through...

Steve Bittenbender March 3, 2022
Russian hockey

Four US Sportsbooks Pull Russian Events Off Their Boards Due to Invasion in Ukraine

Four of the largest US sportsbooks on Thursday announced they would stop taking action on Russian sporting events in the wake of that nation’s invasion of Ukraine. DraftKings issued a statement early Thursday afternoon, and spokespeople with Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, and PointsBet...

Steve Bittenbender March 3, 2022
Churchill Downs

Bob Baffert Goes to Court: Seeks Stay on Suspension, Wants Churchill Ban Struck Down

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will meet on Friday to determine whether or not to grant a stay on a 90-day suspension stewards handed down to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. That came in the wake of their ruling that disqualified...

Steve Bittenbender March 2, 2022