1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Sports Betting Bill Introduced in Ohio Senate, Schuring Hopes for Quick Passage
Ohio lawmakers unveiled their latest attempt at a sports betting bill on Thursday, with hope they can fast track it through the state Legislature. There remain several key details that lawmakers still need to flesh out. However, a key legislative leader expressed...
Arlington Heights Wants to Put the Reins on Churchill’s Efforts to Sell Historic Track
Even as Churchill Downs Inc. progresses on its plan to close and sell Arlington International Racecourse, officials in a Chicago suburb are taking steps to possibly save the track. Or at the very least, have some say over what happens with the...
Underdog Fantasy Gets Long List of Backers to Fund $10M Investment
Underdog Fantasy announced on Monday it secured $10 million in investments, and then the fantasy sports operator threw a party online to celebrate. The Brooklyn-based company also announced it would offer a $3.5 million season-long fantasy football tournament, with the winner getting...
EXCLUSIVE: Mattress Mack Pushes for Texas Sports Betting, Calls It a “Stress Reliever”
Before Houston businessman Jim McIngvale could make his Super Bowl bet, he first had to get on a plane. America’s highest-profile sports bettor, known to most as “Mattress Mack,” lives in a state that has yet to legalize the activity. It’s a...
Betting on Kentucky Derby Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Online Wagering a Record
They weren’t records, but Churchill Downs Inc. reported solid a betting handle for the 14-race card Saturday, highlighted by the Kentucky Derby. According to a press release from the Louisville-based company, bettors wagered $233 million. It’s the second-highest Derby Day handle, trailing...
With Medina Spirit Winning the Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert Finds Life is Good
Bob Baffert was supposed to bring another horse, a better horse, to Louisville for Kentucky Derby 147. But at the end of the day, there was just Medina Spirit. Turns out that was enough to make history. Except for maybe a stride...
Kentucky Derby: Essential Quality Hopes to Make History for Local Trainer
It’s one of the most unbelievable stats in all of sports. In the previous 146 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, a Louisville-native trainer has never won the race. Brad Cox is hoping to change that. Cox will have two entries in Saturday’s...
EXCLUSIVE: Mattress Mack Talks Kentucky Derby and About Horse Racing’s Future
LOUISVILLE - The Kentucky Derby is known as the playground for celebrities, so it makes perfect sense for a sports betting celebrity to make his way to Churchill Downs on the First Saturday in May. Jim McIngvale is set to arrive here...
Belmont Park Gets Guidance, New York Track to Welcome Some Fans Back Saturday
More than a week after Belmont Park was supposed to welcome horse racing fans back, the New York track will finally get that opportunity this weekend. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Wednesday that the Long Island venue will be open...
Great Canadian Gaming Corp. Down to Just One Casino Open After Latest Order
On Tuesday night, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. announced that its Casino Nova Scotia – Sydney facility would close temporarily effective the end of the night to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Atlantic province. The move came after Nova Scotia...
