Tidbit from Down Under -- The state government of Victoria in Australia may be considering wristbands as a way to keep problem gamblers out of casinos. The Rev. Tim Costello, spokesman for the Interchurch Gambling Task Force, said his group might offer the bands to gamblers voluntarily. Self-regulation for gaming venues is not working, he said. "I think you will find a few of us (anti-gambling groups) at the table now are so utterly disgusted at the lack of government interaction we might consider it," Costello said.
US Tidbit -- Analysts at the investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein told sportbusiness.com recently that they don't think the anti-Internet gambling bill proposed by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., will be introduced to the full House of Representatives. "The Goodlatte bill, we believe, is unlikely to be introduced given the extent of the opposition to it, but even if it is introduced, it will surely fail," said analyst Andrew Lee.
Legal Stuff -- The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday voted to change the way horse races are regulated. The group sought to change the system because it allowed for later post times for bets that are placed at racetracks as opposed to bets placed at sports books.
Tidbit from Sweden -- NetGame Factory, a Swedish company that develops mobile phone-based lottery and gaming technology, recently received an investment of 1.7 million euros from Brainheart Capital. The money will help NetGame expand internationally. Petter Bogren of Brainheart said his company believes that lotteries and games will be among the first successful mobile services.