Reporter:
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 [email protected].
Areas of Expertise
1982 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Sports Betting Roundup: Caesars, SuperBook Opens New Retail Sportsbooks
Caesars Entertainment made history Wednesday. That's when it celebrated the grand opening of a full-service brick-and-mortar sportsbook at the Las Vegas-based company’s casino in Windsor, Ontario. The opening of the retail sportsbook comes more than 18 months after the Canadian government legalized...
Bet365 Gets Online Market Access Rights in Pennsylvania with Churchill Downs Deal
Churchill Downs Incorporated has a new gaming partner. On Monday afternoon, the Louisville-based gaming company announced a multiyear deal with bet365 that gives the British-based online gaming operator market access in Pennsylvania. The agreement gives bet365 access to online sports betting and...
College Football Championship: Underdog TCU Takes On Big Dog Georgia
Does TCU have one more upset left in them? On Monday night, millions of American sports fans will flock to their TVs to find out the answer. The Horned Frogs are all that stand in the way of Georgia claiming its second...
Bernie Kosar Sacked from Radio Gig After Ex-Browns QB Bets $19K on Team
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has been relieved of his duties as a team radio announcer. That's after placing a publicized bet on his old team during the first week of legalized sports betting in Ohio. Kosar had been part of...
IGAC Ends $350M Deal That Would Have Taken PlayUp Public
A $350 million deal that would have made PlayUp a publicly traded company has fallen through. That’s according to a document a special purchase acquisition company (SPAC) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. IG Acquisition Corp. (IGAC) said...
Entain’s Unikrn Takes Wagers Tied to Horror Film M3GAN
In what may likely be a first, a sportsbook is taking wagers on what happens in a movie. Yes, you read that right. Online operation unikrn has set an over/under market for the film M3GAN, which hits theaters Friday. The horror film...
BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings Face $150K Fines for Violating Ohio Rules
Ohio gaming authorities announced plans on Thursday to fine BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and DraftKings $150,000 apiece. That's after each was found violating state standards for responsible gambling messaging. The three operators or their affiliate marketer advertised their product through various platforms. They...
New York Releases Solicitation for Last Three Casino Licenses, No Deadline Set
As expected, New York gaming officials released the request for applications late Tuesday afternoon for the three remaining casino licenses available in the state. The Gaming Facility Location Board has provided no official deadline for submissions. All applicants must be willing to...
Ohio Sports Betting Traffic Tops New York During Opening Weekend
The first weekend of sports betting in Ohio put it at the top of the charts, according to GeoComply. The cybersecurity company that provides geolocation and other services to online sports betting operators announced Tuesday it tracked 11.3 million geolocation transactions. That...
Betfred Bets Big on the Cincinnati Bengals: “We Can Punch Above Our Weight’ in Ohio”
Monday night isn’t just a big night for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills. It’s also a big night for Betfred. Monday also marks the second day for live legal sports betting in Ohio, which just happens to be the site...