Posted: Sunday, February 29, 2004 6:09 PM (PST)
Bill Dozer:
Scotty, how did you come to be in this situation?
BetpanamScotty:
I came down to sell BetPanAm internet marketing because I knew Marty and he was here. I do internet marketing for a few sportsbooks so he thought I could help him out a little. It was not my intention to stay.
BetpanamScotty:
But I was pleasantly surprised by Panama when I got here. I was also taken back by the investors and I heard the long term goals for BetPanAm and Panama in whole. I thought it sounded good. I was here for 10 days and during that time I met the girl who is now my wife. I went home thinking I might not come back....
BetpanamScotty:
While I was in the states they and Marty called me with the offer to come back and I did.I took a job doing internet marketing under the rule that I was also able to do the internet marketing that I was already doing for others. I came back and found the girl and the rest is history. Our first child is due on April 1st.
Bill Dozer:
Who else do you do marketing for?
BetpanamScotty:
My company is out of California...they do web design and pages, banners and stuff.
Bill Dozer:
What about BetPanAm lead you to believe they were a worthy establishment to work and to vouch for?
BetpanamScotty:
I heard their goals and I met their investors. I heard about the stored value card and the fact that the government was involved in the legislation of the books. I was also there when other sportsbooks were there looking and talking about coming. It all looked like it was heading in the right direction.
BetpanamScotty:
They had set up the offices and there was a buzz around Panama about it.
Bill Dozer:
What did you know about their funding?
BetpanamScotty:
I only knew what I was told by the upper management. And the investors were around the offices in those days. All were wealthy and had the right language to make me think they were all successful business people. I did the research and saw their business backgrounds on the internet and stuff.
BetpanamScotty:
Like I have said, these guys are very well funded. It’s not about having the cash at all.
BetpanamScotty:
It’s an inner feud about past business deals.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel as though you were taken for a ride? Do you feel betrayed?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, Yes and No...I don’t feel we were given the time to succeed.
BetpanamScotty:
I feel we were betrayed because we weren’t aware of the investors’ inner feuding and what it would eventually do to the company but I also feel they set up the perfect situation for us to be successful and I feel we were headed for the right place; only our time was cut short. We were really starting to do well...And in a few short years I feel we would have been a top book. Everything was going well. There were a few problems but nothing that wasn’t considered growing pains.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel as though your name was used as a stepping stone considering PanAm was a forum book and you are well known with those players?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, fortunately I have a good name in this business and have for many years. I guess it’s hard to hide the fact of who I was. I am sure most people used that to get what they needed. I have had many years of doing business with people, and like anybody I use that in new ventures. This time it has been used against me.
Bill Dozer:
What do you think about people who signed up with PanAM because they heard "Scotty and Marty" were behind it? And why do you think those points were made by major watchdog sites? We now all realize the investors have the only control.
BetpanamScotty:
Well, I am not quite sure why the forums used that. Maybe as security if it went bad? I remember telling everyone not to use my former employer to use in interviews with our company. But they continue to up until this day...I haven’t worked at my former company for almost 2 years now but I still hear it everyday....
Bill Dozer:
So you were against those sites putting you on the spot like that?
BetpanamScotty:
Yes. From the beginning I asked them all not to associate my name with my former employer.
Bill Dozer:
Did you feel you were getting too much credit for this book for the positives and the negatives? Especially since advertising had not really even begun?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, my internet marketing hadn’t really started. I do search engine stuff. Most of it was only a few months old and it takes time to develop. And of course the DOS attacks sidelined most of it. We were basically only advertising on the RX, and later on Majorwager.
Bill Dozer:
It is safe to say that many people would not have posted up with PanAm unless they thought that the experience of yourself and Marty were taking a huge active roll in the shop's daily operations. How do you think many confused the marketing department with you being “the guys behind PanAm"?
BetpanamScotty:
I couldn’t tell ya. I do know that Marty and I are marketing and that’s about it. I am not even a manager there. I spend most of my time working from home and not at the office. I do take responsibility for the people who came here because of me. And many times I have helped get their money, and paid some myself. That’s why Marty and I are trying to do the right thing by taking this to the commission and letting them know this won’t go away without a fight.
Bill Dozer:
Do you or have you had ANY financial investment in PanAm?
BetpanamScotty:
No, I have never been more than an employee at BetPanAm.
Bill Dozer:
Do you plan to work there after/if this is resolved? Will PanAm even try to continue?
BetpanamScotty:
I have already left the offices at BetPanAm. I am here in Panama until at least June after the birth of my child. I choose to walk away because I didn’t like the fact that money was being taken in. I didn’t feel it was right. I also plan on staying and trying to help people get what is owed to them. I feel that’s the least I can do now.
Bill Dozer:
So the last straw for you was realizing the investors weren’t trying to help yet still taking deposits?
BetpanamScotty:
I have to stay and try and make this right. I am not saying a lot of money was coming in, but I didn’t feel that any operation should have continued until everyone who was owed was paid.
BetpanamScotty:
No, I actually understand why the investors were feuding amongst themselves. I don’t understand why they let it ruin a business….One that would have, eventually with time, been very successful.
Bill Dozer:
Would you yourself send friends or play at a book that has not gone through one full football season?
BetpanamScotty:
Yep, depending on the situation...and I thought it was right here in Panama. I did refer a lot of my friends here. A lot of close people are owed. I feel the heat everyday. Some I have tried to get cash to or do transfers out of my accounts and stuff… Just trying to do whatever I can to make it right… Tough situation to be in.
Bill Dozer:
So you are also in the position of the player. You must feel betrayed as well?
BetpanamScotty:
I don’t think betrayed is the word. More like extremely disappointed.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel robbed?
BetpanamScotty:
Like I said before everything was going in the right direction. That’s why we were all so stunned when this went bad. We just didn’t see it coming.
Bill Dozer:
What format do you think a book should take so the investment money can't be disassembled?
BetpanamScotty:
You know I have been so busy with stuff with my wife and getting ready for this baby; and trying to get people help has consumed me as well. I haven’t really even had time to think about how I feel.
BetpanamScotty:
I really don’t have an answer
Bill Dozer:
I know you are trying to take responsibility for things since you are/were part of BetPanAm. What would you like players to know from your standpoint?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, that I will stay and try to make this right. I will be at the Gambling commission trying to get the answers. I can tell you I think the investors will pay. I know the commission is very unhappy. And I think it would eventually get involved in legal issues, so I feel the investors would make this right. I don’t think they would suffer legal issues over something so small.
Bill Dozer:
Do you think PanAm as a gaming country can still prosper?
BetpanamScotty:
I still think Panama as a gaming country will survive. I know that Legengz is doing very well here. I am also aware of a few more books looking to come to Panama.
Bill Dozer:
Thanks for your time.
[This message was edited by bucsfan67 on March 02, 2004 at 12:13 AM.]
Bill Dozer:
Scotty, how did you come to be in this situation?
BetpanamScotty:
I came down to sell BetPanAm internet marketing because I knew Marty and he was here. I do internet marketing for a few sportsbooks so he thought I could help him out a little. It was not my intention to stay.
BetpanamScotty:
But I was pleasantly surprised by Panama when I got here. I was also taken back by the investors and I heard the long term goals for BetPanAm and Panama in whole. I thought it sounded good. I was here for 10 days and during that time I met the girl who is now my wife. I went home thinking I might not come back....
BetpanamScotty:
While I was in the states they and Marty called me with the offer to come back and I did.I took a job doing internet marketing under the rule that I was also able to do the internet marketing that I was already doing for others. I came back and found the girl and the rest is history. Our first child is due on April 1st.
Bill Dozer:
Who else do you do marketing for?
BetpanamScotty:
My company is out of California...they do web design and pages, banners and stuff.
Bill Dozer:
What about BetPanAm lead you to believe they were a worthy establishment to work and to vouch for?
BetpanamScotty:
I heard their goals and I met their investors. I heard about the stored value card and the fact that the government was involved in the legislation of the books. I was also there when other sportsbooks were there looking and talking about coming. It all looked like it was heading in the right direction.
BetpanamScotty:
They had set up the offices and there was a buzz around Panama about it.
Bill Dozer:
What did you know about their funding?
BetpanamScotty:
I only knew what I was told by the upper management. And the investors were around the offices in those days. All were wealthy and had the right language to make me think they were all successful business people. I did the research and saw their business backgrounds on the internet and stuff.
BetpanamScotty:
Like I have said, these guys are very well funded. It’s not about having the cash at all.
BetpanamScotty:
It’s an inner feud about past business deals.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel as though you were taken for a ride? Do you feel betrayed?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, Yes and No...I don’t feel we were given the time to succeed.
BetpanamScotty:
I feel we were betrayed because we weren’t aware of the investors’ inner feuding and what it would eventually do to the company but I also feel they set up the perfect situation for us to be successful and I feel we were headed for the right place; only our time was cut short. We were really starting to do well...And in a few short years I feel we would have been a top book. Everything was going well. There were a few problems but nothing that wasn’t considered growing pains.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel as though your name was used as a stepping stone considering PanAm was a forum book and you are well known with those players?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, fortunately I have a good name in this business and have for many years. I guess it’s hard to hide the fact of who I was. I am sure most people used that to get what they needed. I have had many years of doing business with people, and like anybody I use that in new ventures. This time it has been used against me.
Bill Dozer:
What do you think about people who signed up with PanAM because they heard "Scotty and Marty" were behind it? And why do you think those points were made by major watchdog sites? We now all realize the investors have the only control.
BetpanamScotty:
Well, I am not quite sure why the forums used that. Maybe as security if it went bad? I remember telling everyone not to use my former employer to use in interviews with our company. But they continue to up until this day...I haven’t worked at my former company for almost 2 years now but I still hear it everyday....
Bill Dozer:
So you were against those sites putting you on the spot like that?
BetpanamScotty:
Yes. From the beginning I asked them all not to associate my name with my former employer.
Bill Dozer:
Did you feel you were getting too much credit for this book for the positives and the negatives? Especially since advertising had not really even begun?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, my internet marketing hadn’t really started. I do search engine stuff. Most of it was only a few months old and it takes time to develop. And of course the DOS attacks sidelined most of it. We were basically only advertising on the RX, and later on Majorwager.
Bill Dozer:
It is safe to say that many people would not have posted up with PanAm unless they thought that the experience of yourself and Marty were taking a huge active roll in the shop's daily operations. How do you think many confused the marketing department with you being “the guys behind PanAm"?
BetpanamScotty:
I couldn’t tell ya. I do know that Marty and I are marketing and that’s about it. I am not even a manager there. I spend most of my time working from home and not at the office. I do take responsibility for the people who came here because of me. And many times I have helped get their money, and paid some myself. That’s why Marty and I are trying to do the right thing by taking this to the commission and letting them know this won’t go away without a fight.
Bill Dozer:
Do you or have you had ANY financial investment in PanAm?
BetpanamScotty:
No, I have never been more than an employee at BetPanAm.
Bill Dozer:
Do you plan to work there after/if this is resolved? Will PanAm even try to continue?
BetpanamScotty:
I have already left the offices at BetPanAm. I am here in Panama until at least June after the birth of my child. I choose to walk away because I didn’t like the fact that money was being taken in. I didn’t feel it was right. I also plan on staying and trying to help people get what is owed to them. I feel that’s the least I can do now.
Bill Dozer:
So the last straw for you was realizing the investors weren’t trying to help yet still taking deposits?
BetpanamScotty:
I have to stay and try and make this right. I am not saying a lot of money was coming in, but I didn’t feel that any operation should have continued until everyone who was owed was paid.
BetpanamScotty:
No, I actually understand why the investors were feuding amongst themselves. I don’t understand why they let it ruin a business….One that would have, eventually with time, been very successful.
Bill Dozer:
Would you yourself send friends or play at a book that has not gone through one full football season?
BetpanamScotty:
Yep, depending on the situation...and I thought it was right here in Panama. I did refer a lot of my friends here. A lot of close people are owed. I feel the heat everyday. Some I have tried to get cash to or do transfers out of my accounts and stuff… Just trying to do whatever I can to make it right… Tough situation to be in.
Bill Dozer:
So you are also in the position of the player. You must feel betrayed as well?
BetpanamScotty:
I don’t think betrayed is the word. More like extremely disappointed.
Bill Dozer:
Do you feel robbed?
BetpanamScotty:
Like I said before everything was going in the right direction. That’s why we were all so stunned when this went bad. We just didn’t see it coming.
Bill Dozer:
What format do you think a book should take so the investment money can't be disassembled?
BetpanamScotty:
You know I have been so busy with stuff with my wife and getting ready for this baby; and trying to get people help has consumed me as well. I haven’t really even had time to think about how I feel.
BetpanamScotty:
I really don’t have an answer
Bill Dozer:
I know you are trying to take responsibility for things since you are/were part of BetPanAm. What would you like players to know from your standpoint?
BetpanamScotty:
Well, that I will stay and try to make this right. I will be at the Gambling commission trying to get the answers. I can tell you I think the investors will pay. I know the commission is very unhappy. And I think it would eventually get involved in legal issues, so I feel the investors would make this right. I don’t think they would suffer legal issues over something so small.
Bill Dozer:
Do you think PanAm as a gaming country can still prosper?
BetpanamScotty:
I still think Panama as a gaming country will survive. I know that Legengz is doing very well here. I am also aware of a few more books looking to come to Panama.
Bill Dozer:
Thanks for your time.
[This message was edited by bucsfan67 on March 02, 2004 at 12:13 AM.]
