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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

1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender

New York mobile sports betting

Cuomo, Lawmakers Compromise on NY Mobile Sports Betting, Oneida Disappointed

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and state lawmakers announced an agreement Tuesday on how to operate mobile sports betting in the state. The governor got his lottery-style approach, but lawmakers got more skins in the game. And for those that want...

Steve Bittenbender April 7, 2021
New York Cuomo

NY Mobile Sports Betting Update: Prognosis Good, But Still More Questions than Answers

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says there’s "a conceptual agreement" in place for a state budget that includes mobile sports betting, and it appears – based on the Democratic leader’s words Monday – that his vision for sports betting with some tweaks...

Steve Bittenbender April 5, 2021

Pritzker Ends Mobile Registration for Sports Betting as COVID Cases Rise in Illinois

UPDATED (4/5 1 pm ET) - To include quote from Illinois Casino Gaming Association on mobile registration issue. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has allowed a COVID-19 emergency regulation that allowed sports bettors to register for online apps remotely to sunset. That means...

Steve Bittenbender April 4, 2021
World Series of Poker

World Series of Poker Returns to Live Events in 2021 with a Fall Series, Live Main Event

It may be scheduled for later than usual this year, but officials with the World Series of Poker announced this week they plan to resume a full, live-action tournament schedule in 2021. The entire slate of events will be announced later this...

Steve Bittenbender April 3, 2021
Ohio sports betting

Ohio Horsemen Tell Lawmakers Racing Commission Needs to Control Sports Betting

It was the horsemen’s turn this week to testify before the Ohio state Senate Select Committee on Gaming. Not surprisingly, like other stakeholders who spoke or submitted testimony in previous weeks, they have their own thoughts about legalizing sports betting in the...

Steve Bittenbender April 2, 2021
NY sports betting

Pretlow Touts Skins as ‘Best Model’ for NY Mobile Sports Betting as Budget Talks Linger

Thursday came and went without a budget deal in place in New York. However, a couple of lawmakers made some waves regarding mobile sports betting. How the state should oversee mobile wagering appears to be one of the stumbling blocks remaining between...

Steve Bittenbender April 2, 2021
sports betting

Gaming Caucus Cochairs Seek Repeal on Federal Sports Betting Handle Tax

The chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Gaming Caucus filed a bill Thursday that certainly wasn’t an April Fools joke. US Reps. Dina Titus (D-Nevada) and Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pennsylvania) want Uncle Sam’s hand out of the legal sports betting till. Their bill, which...

Steve Bittenbender April 1, 2021
New York sports betting budget

New York Budget Talks Headed for Overtime, Will Sports Betting Derail Casino Push?

As the clock struck midnight on the East Coast, it became April 1 in New York. That’s the day, per the state’s constitution, that lawmakers are supposed to have a budget in place. However, all signs indicate a protracted negotiation continuing in...

Steve Bittenbender March 31, 2021
Mohegan Virgin Vegas

Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Finally Opens to Fanfare in Vegas

Celebrities and reality television stars were among those on hand Thursday to christen the Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the city's newest casino resort. The event at the off-Strip resort was a historic occasion, as it marked the opening...

Steve Bittenbender March 28, 2021
Action 24/7

Back in Action: Order Temporarily Lifts Suspension Against Tennessee Sportsbook

Action 24/7, the Tennessee sportsbook, received an injunction Friday allowing it to resume operations. The sportsbook was suspended by that state’s lottery earlier this month over concerns about the lack of controls in place to protect against credit card fraud and money...

Steve Bittenbender March 28, 2021