Fireone a "mini NLR" floated today on AIM looks interesting with plenty of growth possibility..



Embargoed until 0800 2 June 2005

FireOne Group plc
('FireOne' or the 'Company')

First day of dealings on the AIM Market

FireOne, the provider of payment processing services for the online gaming
industry, announces that its entire issued ordinary share capital has today been
admitted to trading on the AIM market of London Stock Exchange plc
('Admission'), under the ticker symbol 'FPA'.

As part of the flotation, Numis Securities Limited placed 10,000,000 ordinary
shares at 241 pence per share (the 'Placing'), raising 24.1 million (before
expenses) in cash for Optimal Group Inc., the parent company, as a selling
shareholder. As at Admission, there are a total of 50,000,000 ordinary shares in
issue with a market capitalisation (at the 241 pence per ordinary share placing
price) of 120.5 million.

Mitch Garber, Executive Chairman of FireOne commented:
'We are very positive about the continued opportunities available to FireOne
within the growing online gaming industry and our admission to AIM, amongst
other respected leisure and gaming companies, is the next logical step in
FireOne's development.'

- Ends -

Enquiries:

FireOne +44 (0) 78 7023 4746
Ben Dalfen, Chief Operating Officer
David Schwartz, Chief Financial Officer

Numis Securities Ltd +44 (0) 20 7776 1500
Jag Mundi / Amer Khan / Andrew Burnett

Weber Shandwick Square Mile +44 (0) 20 7067 0700
Kirsty Raper / Nick Oborne / Susanne Walker

Notes to editors:

FireOne is a provider of payment processing services for the online
gaming industry, providing the operators of online casinos, poker rooms and
sports books (including Sportingbet/Paradise Poker, Casino on Net (
www.888.com
)
and PartyPoker.com) and their customers with a secure, convenient and
cost-effective system to collect, deposit and withdraw funds.

As at 31 March 2005, the business was providing its services to over 300
online gaming operators, representing approximately 1,500 websites.

For the 12 months ended 31 December 2004, the business delivered profit
before tax of US$14.8 million on turnover of US$43.0 million. Unaudited results
for the three months ended 31 March 2005, show profit before tax of US$6.0
million and turnover of US$14.9 million.

Since the mid-1990s, revenues in the online gaming industry have grown
at approximately 35 per cent. per year to exceed US $7 billion in 2004. This
figure represents only 3 per cent. of the total worldwide land-based and
internet gaming market and these revenues are expected to show significant
growth in the next few years.

The Placing shares represent 20 per cent. of the issued share capital of
the Company, with the balance being retained by Optimal Group Inc. ('OGI') and
one of its subsidiaries. OGI is a leading payments and services company, based
in Montreal, Canada; its shares are quoted on NASDAQ (OPMR:NAS). Prior to the
Placing, FireOne was a wholly owned subsidiary of OGI. The Company has not
raised any new funds as the Directors believe that the FireOne is able to
finance its operations from its existing cashflow.

The Directors believe that the Placing and Admission will give FireOne
focus and increased autonomy from OGI; greater profile and status; and greater
prominence in Europe for future growth.

LONDON (AFX) - FireOne Group plc, which provides payment processing services for the online gaming industry, declared a maiden interim dividend of 23.2 cents per share as it reported a rise in pretax profit to 19.6 mln usd from a pro forma figure of 12.6 mln.

Revenue increased by 54 pct over the first half of 2005 to 50.0 mln usd in the first half of 2006.

Chief executive officer Ben Dalfen said the board is very pleased with the continued improvement of operating margin, which demonstrates the group's ability to implement strategic initiatives focused on profitability such as managing the risk associated with the FirePay guarantee offering, migrating various processing accounts from Optimal Payments and optimising fee structure.

Dalfen said that for the remainder of the financial year, the group intends to continue to execute its strategy of expanding FirePay into new geographies, supporting the merchant base with the innovative features they require and strengthening the FirePay customer service offering in all areas.

'We are pleased with our results for the first half of the year and look forward to the remainder of 2006 with confidence,' Dalfen said.

Fireone to close US business once anti-gaming act becomes law
AFX


LONDON (AFX) - Fireone Group PLC, a payments processing company for the online gaming industry, said it would stop transferring money for US clients following the recent legislative crackdown.

The group said it will cease making gambling-related transactions for US customers once President George Bush signs the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act into law, which he is expected to do in the next couple of weeks.

'As previously announced, upon becoming law, the Act will have a significant

negative impact on the business, and, consequently, the company has embarked upon a restructuring of its operations and cost base,' said FireOne in a statement.

simon.duke@afxnews.com

Someone should set up an agency in Tessa Jowell's constituency that takes US money on deposit and then places it wiith an on-line gaming outfit - would that be illegal in the US?

Quite a Poser sd!!!

UK smallcap opening - FireOne drops after swing to Q3 pretax loss
AFX


LONDON (AFX) - Shares in FireOne Group shed 11-1/2 pence at 45 after the firm revealed a swing to a pretax loss for the third quarter after it ceased to process settlement transactions originating from the US.

The payments processing company for the online gaming industry reported a Q3 pretax loss of 71.8 mln from a profit of 5.6 mln usd last time out.

Its revenues were up 31 pct at 26.2 mln usd due to revenue growth from its Firepay wallet offering but the group said its revenues going forward will be significantly less than its historical revenues.

newsdesk@afxnews.com

jmh/vjt

Optimal are buying back 'FireOne' at 60p a share !!!

http://moneyam.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200612150747319708N.html

A 'recommended' offer (from an 80% shareholder) that all other holders are advised to accept apparently !!

Ian