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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

Smile Happy

Road to the Kentucky Derby: Smile Happy Faces a Tough Test in Risen Star Stakes

Believe it or not, we’re just 11 weeks until Kentucky Derby 148, and this weekend marks the start of key prep races that will help determine the field for the Run for the Roses. Down in New Orleans on Saturday evening, the...

Steve Bittenbender February 19, 2022
Florida Education Champions

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins “Confident” Florida Sports Betting Will Be On ’24 Ballot

Although an attempt by commercial sports betting operators to get a measure on the Florida ballot this year failed, at least one supporter of the measure signaled on Friday that they would be willing to try again. However, it may not happen...

Steve Bittenbender February 18, 2022
Jason Robins

DraftKings CEO Jason Robins Talks New York Sports Betting Tax, Lawmaker Says It Could Be Cut

DraftKings cofounder and CEO Jason Robins said the gaming operator and tech company is taking “a wait-and-see” approach on reports that New York state may consider changing the tax rate on mobile sports betting revenue. The comments came during the company’s Friday...

Steve Bittenbender February 18, 2022
Siva

California Tribal Gaming Group Supports Mobile Sports Betting Measure for ’22 Ballot

California tribal gaming leaders have officially endorsed a second sports betting measure that proponents want to put before voters later this year. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced Tuesday that its members backed “The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports...

Steve Bittenbender February 15, 2022
Hochul_Bills_Jets

New York Mobile Sports Betting Nearly Hits $2B in Handle in First 30 Days

New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow believes it’s time to give the state another nickname: “The Sports Betting Capital of the World.” The world might be an exaggeration. However, in the first 30 days, New York has definitely lived up to the expectations...

Steve Bittenbender February 14, 2022
Aaron Donald celebrates

Super Bowl Bets: More Than 5.6M Legal Accounts Accessed, According to GeoComply

Data from a leading technology vendor to mobile sports operators shows that 5.6 million legal sports betting accounts were accessed over Super Bowl weekend. That’s nearly double the total from last year, according to cybersecurity solutions provider GeoComply. Accessing an account does...

Steve Bittenbender February 14, 2022
Purdue Pete

Indiana Sports Betting Handle Sets New Record, Tops $500M in January

Indiana sportsbooks set another record in January, as they broke the $500 million handle barrier for the first time. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) reported the state’s mobile operators and brick-and-mortar sites took $500.1 million in bets. That broke the previous record,...

Steve Bittenbender February 13, 2022
Geoconda Argüello-Kline

Geoconda Argüello-Kline Steps Down from Top Spot at Nevada Casino Workers Union

A key leader in the union representing thousands of Nevada casino workers has announced her retirement. The Culinary Union announced Friday that Geoconda Argüello-Kline was stepping down as the labor group’s secretary-treasurer, a position which she held for the past 10 years....

Steve Bittenbender February 12, 2022
Fubo deals

Fubo Gaming Announces Deals for Sports Betting Access Rights in Four States

It’s been a big week for Fubo Sportsbook. The sports betting operation of sports-centric streaming service fuboTV announced deals granting them access to licenses in four states. On Thursday, Fubo Gaming said it reached a new deal with Caesars Entertainment that gives...

Steve Bittenbender February 12, 2022
Mattress Mack

Super Bowl: Mattress Mack Bets $5M More on Bengals, Drake Drops Bitcoin on Rams

Houston businessman Jim McIngvale, known better as “Mattress Mack,” made history Friday when he wagered $5 million on the underdog Cincinnati Bengals to win Sunday’s Super Bowl. The furniture store owner’s bet with Caesars Sportsbook is the largest ever placed with a...

Steve Bittenbender February 11, 2022