1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Ex-Broker Arrested for Taking $411K from Clients, Some Money Went to Casinos
A debarred investment broker is out on bail after federal authorities charged him with stealing more than $400,000 from clients. The money was used to pay personal debts, including money he owed casinos. Apostolos Pitsironis, 52, faces up to 20 years in...
January Hoops Helps Indiana Post Another Record-Breaking Sports Betting Month
The Hoosier State’s growth in sports betting continues into 2021. That’s according to the Indiana Gaming Commission, which released January’s wagering totals on Friday. Bettors wagered $348.2 million in January, up 11.2 percent from the $313.1 million handle reported in December. It’s...
Koch Buys Into Vegas, Brings Fontainebleau Back in Purchase of Unfinished The Drew
The Drew Las Vegas, the albatross of the Strip, will soon be under new ownership. On Thursday, a new group announced its plan to purchase the multi-billion casino, which is still unfinished 14 years after construction began. One of the new owners...
5Dimes, Prepping for Legal Launch, Gets Gaming License in Isle of Man
5Dimes has taken another step toward legitimacy, announcing it has been licensed in the Isle of Man. The move comes four months after reaching a deal with the US Department of Justice to stop servicing American clients as an illegal offshore sportsbook....
Former Louisiana Gaming Chair Takes on Advisory Role for Entain
Former Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones has a new job. The Advocate reported Monday that he will serve as an advisor to British gaming company Entain. The report comes just a couple of days after an ethics panel cleared Jones...
LendingTree Survey Finds the Unemployed More Likely to Bet on Super Bowl
A recent survey from financial website LendingTree shows more than half of its respondents will bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl. And many of those with some action on the game may be the ones who can least afford it. The survey found...
Churchill Downs Claims California Owners “Shakedown” Over Online Betting Fee
A Churchill Downs Inc. subsidiary filed a lawsuit in federal court last week against horse owners in California. The suit is an attempt to keep them from taking the Louisville, Ky.-based company to arbitration over commissions the company’s online wagering service takes...
AGA Says Interest in Casino Visits Grows, But Gaming Industry Still Needs Federal Help
Research by the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows more people feel comfortable about visiting a casino in 2021. However, that interest is still not close to what it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that has crippled the hospitality sector. However, AGA...
Illinois Gaming Board Investigating Business Owned by Key Hard Rock Rockford Investor
UPDATE (2/4 12:30 pm ET) - The Illinois Gaming Board met in closed session Thursday morning to discuss the Hard Rock Rockford casino proposal. An open session is set for 3 pm CT/4 pm ET Thursday. The Illinois Gaming Board is set...
AGA Super Bowl Survey Sees More Online Bets But COVID Impacts Overall Wagers
More than 23 million Americans say they plan to bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl, according to a survey sponsored by the American Gaming Association. Nearly a third of those bettors plan to wager online. In all, the bettors say they expect to...
