Philippines -- The Supreme Court of the Philippines has issued a 10-page decision rendering Sports and Games Entertainment Corp.'s (SAGE) license to offer Internet gambling null and void. The court ruled that Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), the government body that regulates and manages gaming in the Philippines, did not have the authority to permit SAGE to operate Internet gaming. According to the court, "While Pagcor is allowed under its charter to enter into operator's and/or management contracts, it is not allowed under the same charter to relinquish or share its franchise, much less grant a veritable franchise to another entity such as SAGE."
European Covers -- Comprehensive Sports Information, a North American media company that features sports news, statistics and odds from a gambling perspective, has created a new subsidiary, Covers Media Group, that will be based in Galway, Ireland. The company is looking to expand its Covers.com brand in Europe.
Affiliate Program -- Online marketing agency IGMD has developed GamingPromo.com, an affiliate program that it says offers members the latest marketing tools, high conversions, personal service, promotions and contests, timely monthly payment, and real time statistics. IGMD has partnered with City Club Casino and Race Track Casino, both of which use Playtech software.
Sport Funding -- A report in this month's Oxford Review on Economic Policy suggests that sports in the United Kingdom can no longer rely on revenue from television or the national lottery, and should instead turn to the gambling industry for help with funding. According to the article's writers, Rob Simons and David Forrest, both of whom are sports economic specialists, "With broadcasting revenues likely to turn down, it is natural that football should consider prospects for gaining significant new income from wagering activity. In some regards, circumstances are favorable." Also, "There needs to be some kind of partnership between sport and gambling. Sports governing bodies need to reach a deal with bookmakers so that they receive money from them for their funding. The gambling industry needs sport but so far, sport has not really benefited from gambling and that situation needs to be addressed."
Jockey Club -- The U.K. Jockey Club is pursuing the first charges of a breach of Rule 247, which was implemented Sept. 1 and states that owners, trainers and stable staff may not lay their own horses to lose with a betting organization. Miles Rodgers, a director of Platinum Racing Club, is under investigation for suspicious betting on Uhoomagoo at Redcar on October 28th and Million Percent at Wolverhampton on Nov. 14. The club is also progressing with enquiries into the activities of Steve O'Sullivan, to determine whether or not the farrier is violating club rules by refusing to give the security department access to his phone and betting accounts after he was suspected of laying Hillside Girl at Carlisle in July. The club is also pursuing questions about irregular betting patterns surrounding Red Lancer at Wolverhampton and Intox III at Ludlow.