1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Appeals Court Sides With New Hampshire Lottery on Wire Act Opinion Ruling
On the day the Trump Administration ended, its efforts to redefine the Wire Act likely came to an end as well. That's after a federal appellate court issued a ruling Wednesday morning. The US First Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion...
More Than COVID Keeping Mega Millions and Powerball Jackpots From Getting Bigger
On Wednesday, Powerball holds its 36th drawing since the multi-state lottery produced a jackpot winner. That four-month span, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association that operates the game, represents its longest dry spell ever. Yet, while Wednesday’s estimated $730 million jackpot is...
Pact Bolsters California Racing Purses by $15M, Horse Owners Eye Sports Betting for More
California horse racing received a major boost last week after several key stakeholders reached an agreement on a purse enhancement program. The accord between the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, The Stronach Group’s 1/ST Racing, and TVG means $15...
NY Times Report Indicates John Dowd Pushing Trump to Pardon Billy Walters
The New York Times reported Sunday that as the Trump Administration counts down its final days, a “lucrative market for pardons” has emerged. Lawyers and others connected with President Trump have used that access to cash in and offer their access to...
No Winner Friday, So Mega Millions Grows to $850M, Saturday’s Powerball Worth $640M
The Mega Millions jackpot keeps growing. No one matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball in Friday’s drawing, and that means Tuesday’s jackpot is worth an estimated $850 million. That would make it the second richest Mega Millions grand prize in...
Favre Becomes Pitchman for TwinSpires as Sports Betting App Awaits OK in Michigan (VIDEO)
Churchill Downs Inc. has made another move to show it's ready to step up its sports betting business. On Thursday, the company’s TwinSpires division announced Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre would star in an upcoming campaign for its sportsbook. According...
Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis Agrees to Buy WNBA Aces from MGM Resorts
The Las Vegas Aces are set to get a new owner. But don’t expect the WNBA team to be on the move. The women’s basketball team announced Thursday that Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis has agreed to buy the franchise from...
Indiana Gaming Commission Says Suspended Ratcliff Has Not Resolved Trustee Issue
A trustee to oversee Rod Ratcliff's ownership stake in Spectacle Entertainment has yet to be appointed, the Indiana Gaming Commission told Casino.org. It has been three weeks since the commission suspended his gaming license and ordered the longtime casino executive to refrain...
Las Vegas Woman Gets Three Years in Federal Prison for Role in Sweepstakes Scam
A 50-year-old Las Vegas woman received a three-year federal prison sentence Wednesday for her role in a $9 million criminal scheme. The action targeted mostly elderly and other vulnerable victims who received fraudulent mailers claiming they won prizes. In addition to the...
Indiana Lawmakers File iGaming Legislation as Sports Betting Continues to Grow
Indiana lawmakers have filed bills to open the door to online casino gaming in the state, as many have expected. State Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) told Casino.org Tuesday that the legislation is a “natural progression” for gaming in the Hoosier state....
