1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Record Betting Reported for Preakness, Despite Controversy Over Medina Spirit
Maybe controversy is a good thing for horse racing - at least from the betting perspective. According to race chart information, Saturday’s Preakness Day 14-race card generated more than $113.4 million in bets, with the Preakness Stakes attracting nearly $68.7 million in...
California Lottery $26M Prize Likely Unclaimed After Woman Says She Washed Ticket
The winning ticket for a $26 million lottery drawing in California appears to have gone down the drain. Literally. When midnight struck Thursday night on the Pacific Coast, the deadline passed for someone to claim the SuperLotto Plus prize from the California...
Ohio Senators Amend Sports Betting in Gaming Bill, e-Bingo Worries Casinos
The Ohio state Senate committee that drafted the current sports betting bill met Wednesday for the first time since its initial version was unveiled last week. Already, there are some changes that have been made. The Senate Select Committee on Gaming’s first...
Ohio to Give Five COVID-19 Vaccinated Residents $1M Each Through Special Lottery
The state of Ohio will turn five residents into millionaires starting in two weeks, and their shot at a $1 million prize is just that -- a COVID-19 vaccination shot. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) made the stunning announcement Wednesday night. Starting on...
Medina Spirit Early Preakness Favorite, But Bob Baffert’s Horse Must Test Clean to Run
Medina Spirit, the colt whose Kentucky Derby win less than two weeks ago hangs in the balance because of a failed drug test, was allowed to enter Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. That's thanks to an agreement reached between trainer Bob Baffert and the...
Kentucky Lottery Offers Free Shot at $225K in Exchange for Getting a COVID Vaccine
The Kentucky Lottery wants to give people who get a COVID-19 vaccine a chance to win up to $225,000. Through May 21, or while supplies last, the lottery is teaming up with participating Walmart and Kroger locations to give adults a coupon...
Medina Spirit Run in Preakness Still Debated, Baffert to Skip Race
The lawyer for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert told Casino.org on Monday that talks continue with officials at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. It is still undecided as to whether his client will be able to enter Kentucky Derby winner Medina...
Florida Lawmakers Won’t Take Up Fontainebleau, Trump Doral Casino Proposals
Neither the Fontainebleau Resort nor Trump National Doral is in line to receive casino licenses when Florida lawmakers reconvene for a special session later this month. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Spring Hill, shot down those possibilities in an interview Friday with CBS...
Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit Fails Drug Test, Churchill Downs Suspends Baffert
Medina Spirit, the longshot who gave trainer Bob Baffert his record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby win, tested positive after the race for an excessive amount of betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory steroid. Baffert made the announcement Sunday morning and denied the allegations. Two hours after...
Sports Betting Bill Introduced in Ohio Senate, Schuring Hopes for Quick Passage
Ohio lawmakers unveiled their latest attempt at a sports betting bill on Thursday, with hope they can fast track it through the state Legislature. There remain several key details that lawmakers still need to flesh out. However, a key legislative leader expressed...
