1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
EBCI Tribal Council to Discuss Possible Joint Venture on Commercial Casino Project
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is considering yet another commercial casino investment project when the sovereign nation’s Tribal Council meets on Thursday. According to the agenda, posted on the EBCI website, a resolution that gives leaders approval to pursue opportunities under...
Arlington Heights Wants to Put the Reins on Churchill’s Efforts to Sell Historic Track
Even as Churchill Downs Inc. progresses on its plan to close and sell Arlington International Racecourse, officials in a Chicago suburb are taking steps to possibly save the track. Or at the very least, have some say over what happens with the...
Underdog Fantasy Gets Long List of Backers to Fund $10M Investment
Underdog Fantasy announced on Monday it secured $10 million in investments, and then the fantasy sports operator threw a party online to celebrate. The Brooklyn-based company also announced it would offer a $3.5 million season-long fantasy football tournament, with the winner getting...
EXCLUSIVE: Mattress Mack Pushes for Texas Sports Betting, Calls It a “Stress Reliever”
Before Houston businessman Jim McIngvale could make his Super Bowl bet, he first had to get on a plane. America’s highest-profile sports bettor, known to most as “Mattress Mack,” lives in a state that has yet to legalize the activity. It’s a...
Betting on Kentucky Derby Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Online Wagering a Record
They weren’t records, but Churchill Downs Inc. reported solid a betting handle for the 14-race card Saturday, highlighted by the Kentucky Derby. According to a press release from the Louisville-based company, bettors wagered $233 million. It’s the second-highest Derby Day handle, trailing...
With Medina Spirit Winning the Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert Finds Life is Good
Bob Baffert was supposed to bring another horse, a better horse, to Louisville for Kentucky Derby 147. But at the end of the day, there was just Medina Spirit. Turns out that was enough to make history. Except for maybe a stride...
Kentucky Derby: Essential Quality Hopes to Make History for Local Trainer
It’s one of the most unbelievable stats in all of sports. In the previous 146 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, a Louisville-native trainer has never won the race. Brad Cox is hoping to change that. Cox will have two entries in Saturday’s...
Indiana Gov. Holcomb Signs Bill Ratifying Pokagon Class III Gaming Compact
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday signed a bill into law that ratifies a Class III gaming compact between the state and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The signing was anticipated as the state negotiated the compact with the Pokagon Band,...
Churchill Downs Valets Opt Against Strike on Kentucky Derby Day
UPDATE (12:30 am ET 5/1) - In an emailed statement early Saturday morning, SEIU Local 541 announced the valets it represents would go to work at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, ending any possibility of a strike for now. With the...
EXCLUSIVE: Mattress Mack Talks Kentucky Derby and About Horse Racing’s Future
LOUISVILLE - The Kentucky Derby is known as the playground for celebrities, so it makes perfect sense for a sports betting celebrity to make his way to Churchill Downs on the First Saturday in May. Jim McIngvale is set to arrive here...
