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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

California Mayors Back Sportsbooks’ Plan, Cardrooms Fund Anti-Tribal Group

This past week featured a lot of movement on initiatives that would legalize sports betting in California. And chances are good there will be some more movement in the week ahead. None of it will likely settle anything, as the Golden State...

Steve Bittenbender October 23, 2021
Empire City Casino

As Empire City Turns 15, MGM Resorts Reiterates Interest in Full Casino License

October marks the 15th anniversary for the Empire City Casino, and according to a release from MGM Resorts International, the Yonkers, NY facility heralded the occasion by reaching another milestone. Earlier this month, the video lottery terminal venue at Yonkers Raceway reached...

Steve Bittenbender October 23, 2021
New York City casinos

New York State Information Request for Downstate Casinos Could Expedite Licensing Process

While a lot of buzz has been generated about the steps New York has taken regarding mobile sports betting, the state also took action on another gaming front this week. And, according to one lawmaker, that could lead to the state getting...

Steve Bittenbender October 22, 2021
Full House Terre Haute

Full House Takes Its Case for $250M Terre Haute Casino to Local Residents

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Representatives from Full House Resorts held a public meeting Thursday regarding its casino proposal for Vigo County, Ind. The goal was to tout what it would bring to the west central community if the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) picks its...

Steve Bittenbender October 21, 2021
New York sports betting

New York Sets Final Tax Rates for Online Sports Betting; Amended Bids Due Monday

New York has moved one step closer to rolling out statewide mobile sports betting. But questions still remain about the number of operators that will be selected and just how high the tax rate will go. Tom Precious, Albany bureau chief for...

Steve Bittenbender October 20, 2021
Bally's Evansville

Bally’s Evansville Reopens Casino After Tech Outage Forced Closure

Bally’s Evansville reopened late Tuesday morning after the Indiana casino closed down unexpectedly on Monday. Diane Spiers, the executive director of public relations for Bally’s Corp., told Casino.org Tuesday that the casino reopened at 11 am CT. The Evansville Courier & Press...

Steve Bittenbender October 19, 2021
Florida sports betting

Federal Judge Dismisses Florida Sports Betting Lawsuit Against Gov. DeSantis

A federal judge in Florida late Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by two pari-mutuel operators. That lawsuit sought to stop the state from enforcing a revised gaming compact that allows the Seminole Tribe of Florida to offer sports betting across the state....

Steve Bittenbender October 19, 2021
Yaamava casino career expo

Yaamava Casino to Hold Virtual Forum on Gaming, Hospitality Careers

The Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel will hold a free virtual career development event on Monday and Tuesday for people considering careers in the gaming and hospitality sector. The Highland, Calif., casino is owned and operated by the San Manuel...

Steve Bittenbender October 17, 2021
Terre Haute casinos

Indiana Gaming Commission Reveals More Data About Terre Haute Casino Candidates

New information was released this past week by the Indiana Gaming Commission on the Terre Haute casino license project. It shows that the four bidders project their proposed developments will create between 400 to 800 new jobs. Additionally, it will generate adjusted...

Steve Bittenbender October 17, 2021
Caesars Southern Indiana

Caesars Southern Indiana Ushers In Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to Commercial Gaming

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the new owners of Caesars Southern Indiana, celebrated their first venture into commercial gaming with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the casino resort across the river from Louisville. EBCI Holdings, the tribe’s commercial gaming arm, took...

Steve Bittenbender October 14, 2021