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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

NFL TNF logo

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 20, 2022
Betway signs

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 –...

Steve Bittenbender August 20, 2022
PrizePicks CEO SBC

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 20, 2022
Jessica Millan Patterson

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 19, 2022
Emagine Royal Oak

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 19, 2022
Chad Brown

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 18, 2022

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 17, 2022
Indiana casino executive John Keeler

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 17, 2022
Empire City Casino

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 17, 2022
Welcome sign

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...

Steve Bittenbender August 14, 2022