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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

NY Cuomo sports betting

New York Mobile Sports Betting Deadline Looms As Cuomo Faces Uncertain Future

As of now, the New York State Gaming Commission will still be accepting applications for statewide mobile sports betting until Monday afternoon at 4 pm. That much has not changed. But what might the future hold for the solicitation, especially since Gov....

Steve Bittenbender August 8, 2021

Resorts World New York City Celebrates $400M Hyatt Regency Opening

New York City’s only casino got a little larger on Friday. That's when the Big Apple’s newest hotel opened in Queens. Executives from Genting Group and Hyatt Corporation gathered with local leaders to cut the ribbon on the $400 million Hyatt Regency...

Steve Bittenbender August 8, 2021
Florida Sports Betting

Seminoles Get OK on Florida Sports Betting, But Pari-Mutuel Deal Concerns Feds

The US Department of the Interior announced Friday that it took no action after reviewing the gaming compact that would give the Seminole Tribe of Florida exclusive rights sports betting rights. That includes mobile in the Sunshine State. Based on federal law,...

Steve Bittenbender August 7, 2021
Chicago Lightfoot

Chicago Pushes Casino Proposal Deadline to Oct. 29, Wants Many ‘Impactful’ Bids

As expected, Chicago officials announced on Friday afternoon that the deadline to submit proposals for the city’s planned casino has been extended by more than nine weeks. The new deadline is Oct. 29 at 2 pm CT. In April, when city officials...

Steve Bittenbender August 7, 2021
Spirit Las Vegas

Spirit’s Operational Issues Cancel Nearly 150 Flights to Las Vegas This Week

Spirit Airlines canceled hundreds of flights on Friday, marking the sixth consecutive day the low-fare carrier has been forced to ground planes. Those cancellations have had an impact on McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, where Spirit ranks as the No. 2...

Steve Bittenbender August 6, 2021
Sisolak Nevada

Nevada Gov. Sisolak Wants Casinos ‘To Do Everything They Can’ To Stop COVID-19

First, Las Vegas casino workers were ordered to put on masks again to help combat the COVID-19 spike. Now, could those workers who have yet to get a vaccination soon be ordered to get one? Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak did not go...

Steve Bittenbender August 5, 2021
Chicago Casino

Chicago Officials Mull Extension for Casino Proposals

Chicago officials may push back the deadline for proposals to operate a casino in hopes of drawing more interest in the opportunity. Crain’s Chicago Business reported that the current Aug. 23 deadline for submissions could be extended by two months, and that...

Steve Bittenbender August 4, 2021
Cuomo

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Political Odds Shift After Report Backs Sex Claims

The top political story for Tuesday in the United States was an independent investigation that found credible numerous sexual harassment claims made against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. As that damning 165-page report dropped late Tuesday morning, so too did the embattled...

Steve Bittenbender August 4, 2021
1 October memorial

MGM Resorts Donates Land for Oct. 1 Memorial, Panel Releases New Survey

MGM Resorts International has agreed to donate a part of its property that will be the site of a public memorial for the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting event that took place on Oct. 1, 2017. That’s according to Clark County...

Steve Bittenbender August 2, 2021
Toronto skyline

Ontario Officials Seek Feedback on Single-Game Sports Betting Draft Regulations

The first release of single-game sports betting regulations from Ontario has happened. It shows some very good news for operators interested in offering mobile apps and sportsbooks in Canada’s most populous province. Last week, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)...

Steve Bittenbender August 2, 2021