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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

Kentucky PokerStars

Kentucky Judge Awards $100M in Bonds to State in $1.6B PokerStars Case

A Kentucky judge has ruled the state is entitled to $100 million in bonds that Stars Interactive Holdings posted as part of a years-long case regarding illegal online poker in the state. The bonds are just part of the award the state...

Steve Bittenbender April 22, 2021
William Hill Caesars

Caesars Closes on William Hill Purchase, Asher Out as Sportsbook’s US CEO

As Caesars Entertainment announced Thursday that it closed on the purchase of sportsbook operator William Hill PLC, it also marked the end of an era, as Joe Asher, the CEO of William Hill’s US operations, has stepped down. Katie Carano Miller, Caesars...

Steve Bittenbender April 22, 2021
Pennsylvania Gaming fines

Thousands Taken from One-Armed Bandit Leads Penn Gaming Board to Issue Fines

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced it issued fines totaling $17,500 after its Office of Enforcement Counsel reached agreements with three licensees that committed infractions. Board members approved the agreements during its monthly meeting on Wednesday. Two of the violations were related...

Steve Bittenbender April 22, 2021
Heidner

Gold Rush Keeps License As Illinois Gaming Board Finds No Proof of Inducement

One of the largest video gaming operators in Illinois will not lose its license. That's after regulators in that state determined Wednesday its owner did not offer a bribe to a then-owner of a gaming café chain. The decision by the Illinois...

Steve Bittenbender April 21, 2021

Role Model: DraftKings Tabs Gisele Bündchen to Advise Company on Environment

DraftKings announced Wednesday that former supermodel Gisele Bündchen will serve as a special advisor to cofounder and CEO Jason Robins and the Boston-based sports gaming and technology company’s board of directors. According to a company release, Bündchen will advise on environmental, social,...

Steve Bittenbender April 21, 2021
Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders Tweet on George Floyd Case Criticized But Owner Backs Message

Like many sports franchises and other organizations, the Las Vegas Raiders shared their feelings about Tuesday’s verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin. He is the former Minnesota cop found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. The...

Steve Bittenbender April 21, 2021
Ohio sports betting

Ohio Pro Teams Again Call on Legislators to Give Them Sports Betting Licenses

Ohio’s major professional sports teams have banded together to lobby lawmakers and reiterate their call for a piece of any sports betting bill that comes out of the legislature. The Ohio Professional Sports Coalition includes the eight professional sports teams that call...

Steve Bittenbender April 20, 2021
G2E Attendees

G2E Organizers Optimistic Attendees Can Return to Las Vegas for 2021 Expo

The 2021 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is still about six months away. However, signs are that the annual gaming industry event will be able to return to its live, in-person format in Las Vegas this year, albeit with some COVID-related enhancements. The...

Steve Bittenbender April 19, 2021
Kentucky PokerStars

Kentucky Starts Court Action to Get Money from Flutter in $1.3B Online Poker Case

The state of Kentucky is continuing its effort to claim a $1.3 billion ruling from a Flutter Entertainment subsidiary over an online poker lawsuit that’s lasted over a decade. A hearing will take place Monday in Frankfort, Ky. On March 25, the...

Steve Bittenbender April 18, 2021
Catawba casino

Federal Judge Rules for Catawba, Says EBCI Rolled “Snake Eyes” in Casino Case

A federal district judge in Washington, DC ruled Friday in a sometimes colorful opinion that the Catawba Indian Nation can proceed with plans to build and open a tribal casino in North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) filed the...

Steve Bittenbender April 18, 2021