1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Indiana Gaming Commission Expands Spectacle Probe, Action May Come Soon
The scope of the Indiana Gaming Commission’s investigation into Spectacle Entertainment has widened, Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait told commissioners Monday. As a result, the company that operates the Majestic Star Casinos and building a $300 million land-based replacement in Gary with...
New Podcast Series Highlights Diversity of Underground Gamblers, Shows Winning Traits
A new podcast series focuses on the lives of professional underground gamblers. The podcast goes inside the world of professional gambling and attempts to show what traits make these players successful. Gamblers is hosted by David Hill, a veteran writer on gambling....
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Exclusive Window to Purchase Caesars Southern Indiana
Caesars Southern Indiana casino may soon find itself under new ownership. Earlier this month, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians signed a letter of intent with Caesars Entertainment Inc. that gives the tribal nation an exclusive 45-day window to negotiate a purchase...
Feds Say Cincinnati Councilmen Sought Bribes to Support Project Tied to Sports Betting
For the second time this month, federal prosecutors have announced charges against a sitting member of the Cincinnati City Council for soliciting bribes on projects. One of those projects included an endeavor tied to sports betting. City Council Member P.G. Sittenfeld was...
Pennsylvania Woman Out of Work By Pandemic Wins $443,000 Online Slot Jackpot
Just in time for the holidays, a 40-year-old Pennsylvania mother of three unemployed for seven months became the latest big winner on BetRivers online casino. The Allentown woman was playing the Divine Fortune slot machine on her mobile phone when her $3...
Billy Walters Claims Feds Violated His Civil Rights By Leaking Grand Jury Information
Lawyers for Billy Walters sent letters to US Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray earlier this week. The lawyers urged them to investigate the former federal prosecutors and agents involved in the retired sports bettor’s insider trading conviction. The...
WSOP Main Event Players May Face COVID Quarantine Request in New Jersey
Players heading to New Jersey to take part in next month’s World Series of Poker Main Event may be asked to stay in their hotel rooms for the duration of their trip to the Garden State. That’s because New Jersey has one...
Michigan to Shut Down Detroit Casinos for At Least Three Weeks as COVID-19 Cases Rise
Casinos in Detroit will be going on a three-week shutdown starting on Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Sunday. The casino closure is part of an enhanced effort to control the spread of COVID-19, which, as it has across the country, has...
Title Bout Controversy Causes Promoter Bob Arum to Say His Fights May Leave Las Vegas
Boxing promoter Bob Arum may have had his fill of Las Vegas. On Saturday night, the founder and CEO of Top Rank Boxing sounded off when the Nevada State Athletic Commission, after a protracted review of a title fight, ruled controversially it...
Illinois Sports Betting Generates $305M Handle for September, Becomes Top Four State for Wagering
Illinois sports betting made its presence known in a hurry. On Friday, the state’s gaming board released its wagering totals for September, and bettors there generated a handle of $305.2 million. That establishes the Land of Lincoln as the fourth- biggest sports...
