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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

1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender

Caesars Southern Indiana

Caesars Southern Indiana $250M Sale to EBCI Holdings Gets State Approval

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) approved the sale of Caesars Southern Indiana to a new venture formed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Wednesday. Caesars Entertainment announced on Dec. 24 that it reached a deal to sell the Elizabeth, Ind.,...

Steve Bittenbender August 19, 2021
Florida sports betting

Seminoles Still Moving Forward on Florida Sports Betting After Second Lawsuit Filed

Seminole Gaming officials continue to focus on the upcoming launch of statewide sports betting in Florida, a spokesperson told Casino.org Wednesday. That's even as two other gaming companies have filed their second federal suit seeking to halt the plan. On Monday, the...

Steve Bittenbender August 18, 2021
Nevada venue vaccines

Las Vegas Raiders Require Vaccination Proof After Gov. Steve Sisolak Gives Venues Option

On Monday evening, the Las Vegas Raiders became the first NFL team to announce that anyone wishing to enter Allegiant Stadium must show proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine before being admitted. It’s a move that would enable the 65,000-seat stadium to...

Steve Bittenbender August 17, 2021
California Cardrooms

California Cities Seek to Add Another Sports Betting Measure to ’22 Ballot

There’s already one California sports betting initiative that’s been approved for the 2022 ballot, and now a group of Golden State cities is pushing for another. On Thursday, an organization named Cities for Responsible Sports Betting announced it filed a proposed measure...

Steve Bittenbender August 16, 2021
New York sports betting

New York Sports Betting Bids Bring Out Big Names, Like Jay-Z and Ben Affleck

What do Jay-Z and Ben Affleck have in common, besides being attached to two iconic entertainers? (That would be Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, by the way.) Both men are also referenced in bids for New York mobile sports betting licenses. On Friday,...

Steve Bittenbender August 16, 2021
Terre Haute

Full House Exploring Interest in Available Indiana Casino License, CEO Lee Says

Full House Resorts is thinking about expanding its casino business in Indiana. The company is eyeing Terre Haute, a city near the Illinois state line roughly an hour west of Indianapolis. On its second-quarter earnings call with analysts on Tuesday, the Las Vegas-based...

Steve Bittenbender August 13, 2021
Canadian sports betting

Two-Week Notice: Canadian Single-Game Sports Betting Starts Aug. 27

Nearly two months after a bill legalizing single-game sports betting in Canada became law, the country’s top justice official announced Thursday it would finally take effect in two weeks. Canadian Attorney General and Minister of Justice David Lametti said the C-218, the...

Steve Bittenbender August 12, 2021
Cuomo resigns

Cuomo’s Surprise Resignation Shocks PredictIt, NY Gov. May Still Face Impeachment

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shocked the nation Tuesday when he announced he would resign from office. He indicated he would rather resign than continue a fight against sexual harassment allegations he considered politically motivated. For some in the political trading world,...

Steve Bittenbender August 10, 2021
New York skyline

FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM Go All-In Together for NY Mobile Sports Betting

UPDATE (12:25 PM ET) - This article has been updated to include that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon, effective in 14 days. News out of New York on Monday evening sent shockwaves through the sports betting...

Steve Bittenbender August 10, 2021
Illinois sports betting

Illinois Seeks Applicants for $20M Mobile-Only Sports Betting Licenses

The Illinois Gaming Board has opened the window for sportsbooks interested in applying for a mobile-only license. But the price tag is steep. The announcement is a critical step for Illinois sports betting. That's because the in-person registration requirement currently in place...

Steve Bittenbender August 9, 2021