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
Streaming Services Gain Viewers, But Latency a Sports Betting Concern
July was a historic month, as Nielsen reported streaming services accounted for the largest share of viewers. However, a key gaming executive said Friday that the emerging technology still has a lot of ground to make up if it wants to attract...
Ohio Sports Betting Update: Four More Operators Seek Online Licenses
Four more companies applied for online sports betting licenses in Ohio this past week. However, only three of them would be guaranteed to start on Jan. 1 if the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) approves their licenses. That’s because those three –...
PrizePicks Ranks Among Fastest-Growing US Businesses in Inc. 5000
In its first year of eligibility, PrizePicks broke into the Inc. 5000 in a pretty big way. The Atlanta-based daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator landed at No. 66 on the magazine's list of the fastest-growing private businesses in the US. According to...
California Sports Betting Update: State GOP Says No to Both Measures
The California Republican Party on Friday announced its positions on the ballot measures going before voters in November. When it came to the two sports betting measures, the GOP’s delegates took the same position on both. The party formally voted to oppose...
Caesars Partners With Emagine to Open Sports Betting Lounge in Michigan
A new take on the Las Vegas sportsbook experience opened Friday near Detroit. That’s where The Caesars Sportsbook Lounge celebrated its grand opening at the Emagine Royal Oak theatre in the Motor City suburb. Emagine Royal Oak is one of 28 luxury...
Chad Brown, Horse Racing Trainer, Faces Domestic Violence Charge in New York
Award-winning thoroughbred trainer Chad Brown faces a domestic violence charge after he was arrested in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Wednesday night. Brown, who trained this year’s Preakness winner Early Voting, appeared in court Thursday and was released on $2,500 bail. He’s charged...
Ohio Officials Extend Window for Sports Betting Kiosk Host Applications
If you own a bar, a restaurant, a bowling alley, a golf course, or even a grocery store in Ohio, there’s still time to apply for a sports betting license and be ready for the state’s Jan. 1 launch date. On Wednesday...
John Keeler, Former Indiana Gaming Executive, Gets Two Months in Federal Prison
John Keeler, a former Indiana gaming executive, received a two-month federal prison sentence Wednesday for his role in funneling thousands of dollars from Centaur Gaming to political campaigns. According to authorities, Keeler, who worked as the general counsel and a vice president...
New York Downstate Casino Applicants May Face Lengthy Licensing Process
The Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga kicked off Tuesday with a star-studded panel discussing the casino licenses slated for downstate New York. The state has three licenses available for New York City and the surrounding areas, and the competition is expected...
EQL Games Enters Into iLottery Content Deal with the Michigan Lottery
A Louisville-based gaming technology company will provide the Michigan Lottery with games for its iLottery platform. EQL Games announced the deal this past week. It includes offering instant games developed by Present Creative, as well as the ability to create new games...