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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

California Sports Betting Panel Talk

California Tribes Voice Opposition to Proposed Sports Betting Measures

The battle lines for California sports betting were officially – and firmly – drawn on Friday. That's when two Native American groups announced a new coalition to oppose two measures being proposed by commercial gaming in the state. The California Nations Indian...

Steve Bittenbender October 30, 2021
Hard Rock Chicago

Hard Rock Submits Bid for Chicago Resort Casino License – Update: Bally’s and Rush Street Gaming Also In

UPDATE: Proposals have also been received from Bally's Corporation, which submitted two proposals for two different sites, and Rush Street Gaming, which submitted proposals for two different locations. CINCINNATI – Efforts by Chicago officials to attract bidders for its downtown casino solicitation...

Steve Bittenbender October 29, 2021
Churchill Downs

Churchill Downs Moves On Expansion, But Nixes New Chicago Projects

Churchill Downs Incorporated plans to grow the company with the money it will receive from land sales at Arlington Park and Calder Casino. That's according to CEO Bill Carstanjen, speaking during the company’s third-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday. In doing so,...

Steve Bittenbender October 29, 2021
Florida sports betting

Seminoles Sign Five Pari-Mutuel Partners for Florida Sports Betting, Seek More

Sports betting in Florida is still not a go quite yet. However, a major milestone was crossed Thursday when the Seminole Tribe of Florida announced the first partners of what would be a statewide retail network. Five pari-mutuel operators have signed marketing...

Steve Bittenbender October 28, 2021
Ohio sports betting

Ohio Senator Optimistic About Sports Betting Bill Moving Forward Soon

One of the principal lawmakers behind the push to legalize sports betting in Ohio is optimistic about its chances. He said earlier this week that a conference committee could begin meeting as early as next week to hammer out a final bill...

Steve Bittenbender October 27, 2021
New York sports betting

New York Sports Betting Deadline Nears, Lawmaker Wants All Applicants Licensed

Monday is a big day for New York mobile sports betting. Bidders must tell the state’s gaming commission if they can work with the tax matrix that was released last week. Once 5 pm ET hits, it will then be up to...

Steve Bittenbender October 25, 2021
Magnolia Bluffs Casino sportsbook

Magnolia Bluffs Expands Sportsbook as IGT Helps Casino Operate Independently

Last Thursday, a crowd gathered at the Magnolia Bluffs Casino in Natchez, Miss., as casino management and city leaders showed off the property’s updated sportsbook, called Playmakers. Sports betting had been in place at the casino, located on the Mississippi River in...

Steve Bittenbender October 24, 2021
Togliatti NGC

Nevada Gaming Commission Names Retired Judge As First Chairwoman

The incoming chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) said in an interview this past week she’s eager to taking on the “new challenge” the regulatory body presents. Jennifer Togliatti spoke with Howard Stutz of The Nevada Independent on Thursday. The former...

Steve Bittenbender October 24, 2021
Rolling Hills Casino expansion

Paskenta Band Celebrates Expansion of Tribe’s Northern California Casino

A northern California tribe celebrated the conclusion of a casino expansion project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians gathered with leaders from Tehama County and Corning for the event at the Rolling Hills Casino and Resort, located...

Steve Bittenbender October 24, 2021
Hard Rock Cincinnati

Hard Rock Cincinnati to Celebrate Grand Opening with a Different Type of Hit Maker

On Friday, Hard Rock International will celebrate the official grand opening of its Cincinnati casino. And the gaming and entertainment company that has made its name celebrating hitmakers is bringing one in – just not from the music industry – for the...

Steve Bittenbender October 24, 2021