Bowman International News Release

[Bowman International]

27 November 2000


BOWMAN INTERNATIONAL IN $21 MILLION DEAL WITH FIRSTSTAKE.PLC

Bowman International announced today that it agreed a deal with UK OFEX stockmarket quoted betting organisation Firststake Plc to join together to expand in both the UK and North American markets. On completion of the deal, Gary Bowman will take up a seat on the board of Firststake Plc and the company will benefit from his considerable expertise and insight into the North American market place.

Bowman International will have access to existing European and UK on-line betting software, which will be offered to our North American clients.

Firststake has established itself as one of the most exciting recent developments in the UK betting sector. It's easy-to-use Internet service is targeted at sports fans rather than just bettors and has received both customer and press plaudits since launch in June 2000. It also has a chain of betting shops in the UK.

Firststake Chairman, Karim Ghaidan said: "Ever since we started discussions with
Gary Bowman it was clear that there were tremendous synergies between the two organisations. Bowman International's strengths lie in the North American Market and on a telephone based service for the more experienced customer. Firststake's strengths are UK market oriented and primarily about targeting sports fans with a proprietary Internet platform.

Gary Bowman added: "I am delighted that this deal fulfils my vision of the globalisation of the betting industry. With our predominant position in North America, plus Firststake's existing online growth and their chain of betting shops, we will be able to benefit the betting public worldwide. I am sure that the full potential of the Bowman brand can be realised through this opportunity."

[skeptic]

It is also interesting to note that Bowman's could never take the time to discuss poster's valid complaints but they sure know how to start a new thread when they want to tout themselves.

[mls]

If this is essentially a sale of Bowmans then all I can say is ... its about time!

No sense to listing the numerous customer service complaints posted in past threads about the fall and ruin of Bowmans ... just do a search and prepare to read ... alot ...

Now if Bowman's customer service and management morons are reassigned to janitorial detail perhaps the new Bowmans (or whatever the new name will be) can start rising from the ash heap ...

[TheMediator]

Is it the awakening of an old rejuvenated warrior??Better be late than never...
On the right track though...

The Mediator

[DeacDoug]

It it's a UK operation, you don't want to deal with it. The Brits operate under the heads I win, tails you lose credo.

[REALITY]

Originally posted by DeacDoug:
It it's a UK operation, you don't want to deal with it. The Brits operate under the heads I win, tails you lose credo.

TO SAYS IT'S A UK OPERATION AND YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT IS A GROSS INJUSTICE TO A COMPANY LIKE SPORTINGBETUSA.COM (FORMERLY BETMAKER.COM).

THIS IS A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY ON THE OFEX IN THE U.K.

DID YOU EVER HEAR NO PAY OR SLOW PAY WITH THIS OUTFIT?

YOU NEVER WILL.

THEY PAY LIKE CLOCKWORK,HAVE GREAT PARLAY AND TEASER ODDS.

THEY RECENTLY PAID A PARLAY IN EXCESS OF 200 DIMES TO A CUSTOMER I REFERED THEM TO.

IN THIS CASE REFER MEANING I TOLD THIS INDIVIDUAL THEY ARE SOLID AS A ROCK.

JUST FOR THE RECORD I HAVE NO AFFILIATE PROGRAM WITH THE 8 BOOKS I ENDORSE.

I CAN PERSONALLY ENDORSE THEM BECAUSE I KNOW FIRST HAND HOW STRONG THERE POSITIONS ARE IN THE OFF SHORE INDUSTRY.

REALITY

[Cons]

DeacCoug,

Reality is right, your summary of the country that invented sportsbetting is way off the mark. I'm sure you're also aware that we live in a free country over here, which might be a new concept to you.

Sportsbetting is legal here, we don't imprison people for gambling. And none of us have to report winnings to the IRS, let alone have out winnings taxed. There are things we normally attribute to developing countries, places with a totalitarian order.

Oh, and before I forget, our politicians don't go around fixing votes and rigging elections...

[REALITY]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tim:

REALITY, just because a book is "solid", doesn't make them a good outfit.

TIM,

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I HAVE PLAYED IN THE BIGGEST PLACES THERE ARE ON CREDIT ALL MY LIFE.

I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CONCEPT OF SENDING MONEY TO A STRANGER TO HAVE A BET ON A GAME.

AS A PLAYER THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME WOULD BE KNOWING I WILL NEVER HEAR SLOW PAY OR NO PAY.

THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT REQUISITE FOR A PLAYER.

SURETY OF FUNDS.

PAYMENT ON DEMAND.


REALITY

[tim]

Well, there they go again,editing me. This is why I left this forum for so long. We're big boys..calling a book a negative name is a form of self-expression. Get OVER it!!My money has Hartley pegged as my editor. He's always been an apologist for Bowman. I'd appreciate you reposting my message you have my permission to edit the puns that you deem offensive. Meanwhile, REALITY, of course, financial solidity is a primary factor in choosing a sportsbook, however, what good is this if it takes you several minutes anytime you want to make a limit wager, or they change lines after you were already quoted a price? This is why I don't do business anymore with Bowman, Easybets or SBC.

[REALITY]

TIM,

I ONLY CAME IN HERE TO POST ABOUT SPORTINGBETUSA.COM BECAUSE OF YOUR REMARK ABOUT ENGLISH BOOKMAKERS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THEY WILL NEVER HOLD YOU UP WHEN YOU CALL,AND THE LINE THEY QUOTE YOU WILL BE HONORED.

MOST OF ALL WHEN YOU WIN,YOUR FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND...

THEY GIVE YOU THE GREATEST BONUS OF ALL.

THEY PAY!

ALL THE BEST.

REALITY

[tim]

Thanks for th info, REALITY. Before my first post in this thread was removed, I mentioned that I've had SPORTINGBET for a short time. On only one occurance did I not get the number that I wanted on the net, but I believe that the line was in the process of being changed at the time. My chief complaints are that you can't make a phone bet without countless delays and their numbers really aren't anything special. In a recent conservative move, they've removed all NBA money lines. I'll hang in a little longer, but if the action doesn't come, will be forced to move on. They DO seem to be more professional and have a more customer-friendly attitude than the other Brit books that have been discussed here.

[REALITY]

TIM,

THEY DON'T DEAL MONEY LINES IN BASKETS DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.

IN THE NCAA'S AND NBA PLAYOFFS THEY DO DEAL MONEY LINES AND FIRST HALVES AND HALF-TIMES.

IF YOUR EVER QUOTED A LINE BY A CLERK AND IT ISN'T HONORED,ASK FOR GERRY,MARCO,CARLOS OR ROOKIE,THESE ARE THE FOUR SPORTINGBETUSA.COM B.M.'S AND THEY WILL DEFINITELY INSURE YOU GET THE LINE QUOTED YOU.

I DID SOME CONSULTING WORK THERE AND THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING THE LINE YOU ARE GIVEN.

THEIR FOOTBALL,1ST HALF AND HALF-TIME LINES ARE REALLY OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

THEIR 6,7,AND 8 TEAM PARLAY ODDS ARE GENEROUS AND DESPITE MY RECCOMENDATION THEY ARE STILL PAYING 20/1 ON 6 PT./8TM, FOOTBALL TEASERS AND 15/1 ON 4PT./8TM.BASKET TEASERS.

YOU CAN WIN THE RANCH HERE AND GET PAID.

SPORTINGBETUSA.COM IS A TREMENDOUS COMPANY WHO HAS GROWN BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS MOSTLY BY CUSTOMER REFERALS.

ALTHOUGH I REALLY DON'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO THIS SORT OF THING,I NEVER REALLY SEE MUCH ADVERTISING FOR THEM.

REALITY

[DeacDoug]

To the top, I reiterate the warning that there is no reason to play with an English book. Although they may be financially solid, they want nothing short of pari-mutual odds favoring them and take no chances. As an example, I love their pro football shtick: Colts winning by 1-5; Colts winning by 6-10; Browns winning by 1-5; and so on.