1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Phil Mickelson Disputes White House Claim He Supported Billy Walters Clemency Case
So, about that part of the Billy Walters clemency case where pro golfer Phil Mickelson wrote a letter in support of the retired gambler...turns out, the Trump Administration didn’t quite get that right. An attorney for the 44-time winner on the PGA...
HHR Opponents Want Parlors Shut Down After Kentucky Supreme Court Declines Rehearing
The Kentucky Supreme Court on Thursday announced it would not revisit an opinion it gave last fall that select historical horse racing (HHR) machines did not meet the definition of pari-mutuel betting. That decision leaves one of the state’s signature industries at...
Indiana, Pokagon Tribe Reach Agreement on Class III Compact for South Bend Casino
Indiana’s lone tribal casino is one step closer to being able to offer sports betting and other Class III games. Late Thursday afternoon, Gov. Eric Holcomb and Matthew Wesaw, chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced the two sides concluded...
Billy Walters ‘Extremely Grateful’ for Trump Clemency, Still Pursuing Civil Case
In a statement released Wednesday, retired professional gambler Billy Walters said he was thankful President Trump commuted his five-year sentence on an insider trading conviction. But he also plans to proceed with a civil lawsuit against those who prosecuted and investigated his...
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...
