1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
George Lopez Scraps New Year’s Eve Shows at Washington Casino After Illness
George Lopez did not get to ring in 2022 as he probably hoped. The comedian and television star was scheduled to do two New Year’s Eve shows at a Washington state tribal casino. However, he ended the first show early and canceled...
CES 2022 Still On, But COVID-19 Forces Organizers to Cut Vegas Expo By One Day
While the calendar is about to turn the page to 2022, it appears we’re still not ready to turn the page from COVID-19. The latest indication of that came Friday afternoon, when organizers of CES 2022 – one of Las Vegas’ largest...
Year in Review: Five 2021 Sports Betting Storylines That Will Crossover into 2022
As we bid adieu to 2021 and prepare to usher in 2022, it’s a good time to look back on what’s occurred in the world of sports betting and where the industry stands in the US. Sports betting is legal and available...
Catawba’s Two Kings Casino Protected from Cherokee Lawsuit Thanks to New Federal Law
A bill signed into law on Monday by President Joe Biden ends the legal challenge the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) filed against the federal government. The action was filed after the Catawba Indian Nation was given the go-ahead to build...
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Appoints First Three to New Gaming Control Panel
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the first three members of the new panel that will oversee gaming in the state starting next year. Last week, DeSantis appointed Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Julie Imanuel Brown, Office of Insurance Regulation...
Kambi to Provide Sports Betting Platform for Affinity Interactive’s DRF Sports
Sports betting platform provider Kambi on Wednesday announced a deal with another emerging US operator. This time, the Malta-based technology company reached an agreement to provide sportsbook services for Affinity Interactive, which plans to operate under the brand DRF Sports. While terms...
Harry Reid Dies: Senate Majority Leader and Nevada Gaming Chair was 82
Harry Reid, an iconic Nevada politician who made his mark in Las Vegas and Washington, died Tuesday at the age of 82. Best known nationally as the Democratic leader in the US Senate from 2005 to 2017, including eight years as the...
Laila Mintas Says PlayUp Global CEO’s Greed Killed $450M Sale
The former CEO of PlayUp’s US division responded Monday to a federal lawsuit her ex-employer filed against her a month ago. In it, not only did Dr. Laila Mintas refute the company’s allegations that she disparaged the online gaming company, but she...
Powerball Does Not Go Out on Christmas, Monday’s Drawing Worth $416 Million
Santa Claus did not make a special trip late Saturday night to give someone a $400 Powerball jackpot. So, that means Monday’s grand prize in the multi-state lottery is worth at least $416 million. The cash value for Monday’s drawing will be...
Florida Sheriff Seeks Civil Forfeiture of $1M+ Seized in Illegal Gambling Probe
A sheriff in South Florida wants to retain more than $1.2 million in cash, along with other items. The bounty was seized earlier this year during searches tied to an illegal bookmaking investigation that has yet to produce any criminal charges. The...
