1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Churchill Downs Valet Union Gets OK to Strike, Kentucky Derby Walkout Possible
The valets at Churchill Downs have received a strike authorization from the union representing them. That means the workers who help prepare horses and jockeys for races may walk out before Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. On Wednesday night, the Greater Louisville Central Labor...
Belmont Park Gets Guidance, New York Track to Welcome Some Fans Back Saturday
More than a week after Belmont Park was supposed to welcome horse racing fans back, the New York track will finally get that opportunity this weekend. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Wednesday that the Long Island venue will be open...
Great Canadian Gaming Corp. Down to Just One Casino Open After Latest Order
On Tuesday night, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. announced that its Casino Nova Scotia – Sydney facility would close temporarily effective the end of the night to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Atlantic province. The move came after Nova Scotia...
SLING Debuts DraftKings Channel with Real-Time Sports Betting Odds
The sports betting and daily fantasy operator DraftKings has launched a channel on the satellite television provider SLING TV streaming service. The move comes nearly two months after DraftKings announced its agreement with DISH Network, The first channel is the DraftKings Basketball...
New York Casinos Capacity Expands, But No Drinks After Midnight
UPDATE (12:15 PM ET) - This article was updated to include a comment from del Lago officials on the casino capacity expansion and to correct information attributed to the New York Racing Association. NYRA said it has not received guidance from the...
New York Gaming Commission Offers Answers on Mobile Sports Betting
When New York picks its mobile sports betting platform providers, it’ll be the state’s Gaming Commission making those key decisions. On Friday, the Commission released a 10-page document providing some answers to questions on the application process. State officials answered 92 questions...
COVID-19 Order Closes Great Canadian Halifax Casino, Just Two Venues Open
Great Canadian Gaming Corp. on Friday announced that the company has shut down its casino in the Maritimes province capital. The move came after Nova Scotia officials ordering the COVID-19 closure of certain businesses in the Halifax area, The closure of Casino...
Churchill Downs Must Bolster Pay, Union Says, or Risk Derby Week Disruption
A contract impasse between Churchill Downs and more than a dozen workers who help prepare jockeys and horses for races threatens Kentucky Derby week preparations. On Saturday, union members protested outside of Churchill Downs on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Officials with Service...
Chicago Posts Solicitation for Long-Awaited Casino Project
The city of Chicago on Thursday released the highly anticipated request for proposals (RFP) for its casino license. The Windy City received it two years ago as part of the Illinois legislature’s expanded gaming law. In a statement, the city said it...
Churchill Downs Scraps Trackside Hotel, Considers Annex to Compete with Caesars
Churchill Downs Inc. has pulled the plug on the plan to build a hotel at its historic namesake track. However, company officials are still looking to expand in the Louisville-based gaming company’s hometown. Company officials first floated the idea of a trackside...
