News from Japan -- The number of people calling for legalized casinos in Japan is growing. In addition to the new Academy of Gambling and Gaming Studies at Osaka University, which will be promoting the positive aspects of casinos, five local Japanese governments on Wednesday asked the country to legalize casinos. Those governments, which include the metropolitan Tokyo government and four other regional authorities, say gambling could bring new sources of much-needed revenue. "Local governments are having difficulties revitalizing regional economies," the organizations said in a collective statement, "and the establishment of casinos could be an effective measure."
US News -- Youbet.com said today that during January it handled more than $20 million in bets, the largest monthly handle in the company's six-year history. The company also took in more wagering account deposits than ever before during last month.
Quote Worthy -- The new president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Myles Brand, spoke to the New York Daily News this week about his plans for the organization. One subject he touched on was betting on college sports, which he said he is very concerned about, especially when the Internet is involved. "I'm certainly concerned about betting on college games through campus bookies and through the Internet," he said. "I was just in Washington yesterday, meeting with Congressional leaders and one of the issues in every conversation was sports gambling on college campuses." Brand also said he thinks HR 21, Rep. James Leach's recently introduced bill that would make Internet gambling illegal, "has a very good chance of being successful."