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Cryptologic Ld (CRP)

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CryptoLogic Reports Q2 Result

RNS Number : 9263A
Cryptologic Limited
08 August 2008
 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Symbol: TSX: CRY, CXY; NASDAQ: CRYP; LSE: CRP

ALL FINANCIAL FIGURES ARE IN US$


CRYPTOLOGIC REPORTS Q2 RESULTS; STAGE SET FOR GROWTH

Signings of seven new customers in year to date underpins prospects for 2008 and 2009

    

August 8, 2008 (Dublin, IRELAND) - CryptoLogic Limited, a world leader in Internet gaming software, today reported its financial results for the three months ending June 30, 2008, posting modest revenue growth over the same period a year ago. The company noted that its success in signing five new customers in the quarter and two more today underpins its positive outlook for 2008 and 2009.


CryptoLogic grew its revenue in the seasonally slow quarter to $16.8 million (Q2 2007: $16.2 million), driven by the company's core European casino business. The result was achieved notwithstanding the massive popularity of the Euro 2008 football championships, which reduced traffic on licensees' Internet casino and poker sites.


The company posted a reduced loss of $1.5 million (Q2 2007: $2.6 million), or $0.10 per fully diluted share (Q2 2007: $0.19). The second quarters of 2007 and 2008 produced the software provider's only quarterly losses in recent years, reflecting significant expenses in both periods.


"While seasonality made this more challenging quarter, at CryptoLogic we remain committed to our goals - and confident in our growth," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "While modest growth is encouraging, aggressive growth is our goal. With an upgraded technology platform and five new customers signed in the last quarter, CryptoLogic's challenge is to execute with excellence - and that should lead to significant revenue and earnings growth from both Europe and Asia."


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:


Revenue

  • CryptoLogic's revenue was up 3.4to $16.8 million over the same period a year ago (Q2 2007: $16.2 million), driven by the company's Internet casino business.

Expenses

  • Operating expenses were $13.2 million, up $1.8 million from a year ago but down $1.3 million from the first quarter of 2008. While the quarter featured lower compensation costs than Q1 2008, foreign exchange movements of $0.8 million increased this expense when compared to the prior quarter. 

  • General and administrative expenses were up $1.9 million over Q2 2007 due to increased consulting and professional fees. This included costs of $400,000 to protect the company's intellectual property, which CryptoLogic expects to recover in the future. 

Net earnings

  • The company recorded a loss of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share (Q2 2007: loss of $2.6 million or $0.19 per fully diluted share).

  Balance sheet

  • CryptoLogic's working capital at June 30, 2008 was $63.3 million or $4.54 per diluted share (March 31, 2008: $68.3 million or $4.90 per diluted share). 

  • Net cash was $64.4 million on June 30, 2008, down $16.6 million since March 31, 2008 due primarily to increased tax payments, timing of receipts, dividend payments, stock repurchases of $0.7 million, and the company's investment in Mahjong Time.

Dividend

  • On August 7, 2008, CryptoLogic declared a dividend of $0.12 per share, unchanged from a year ago.


OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:



Leadership through innovation

  • CryptoLogic launched seven exclusive new casino games, highlighted by the Internet's first slot version of the world-famous Street Fighter II arcade game.

  • The company completed development on a new suite of casino games, including titles featuring the famed Marvel Super Hero Sub-Mariner and 4 Deck Multi Hand Video Blackjack, a patent-pending product developed exclusively by CryptoLogic.

  • CryptoLogic completed development on enhancements to its Internet poker software to enable players to host their own tournaments and customize their Internet gaming experience.


Expansion: Five new customers in Q2seven in year to date

  • In May, CryptoLogic announced new licensee arrangements with 888.com0Poker.comMaharajah Club and Khel Galli.comThe latter is the company's first major Asian customer, targeting the high-growth Indian market. Implementations of OPokerMaharajah Club and Khel Galli have now been completed, and these sites will begin producing revenue for CryptoLogic in the third quarter.

  • In June, the company became the sole provider of Internet casino and poker software to Betjacks, an Internet gaming site that will target the Irish, UK, South African and Canadian markets following its launch this fall.

  • Today, CryptoLogic announced the signings of three-year contracts with Sky Betting & Gaming, part of BSkyB Group plc (BSkyB), the UK's leading entertainment brand, and Gaming Media Group, owner of The Poker Channel®, Europe's largest dedicated gaming television network.


Diversification: New investments in Asia

  • CryptoLogic announced a strategic investment in Mahjong Time, an innovative provider of online Mahjong software and turnkey solutions. Mahjong has a global following of more than 600 million players, creating an attractive opportunity for online gaming growth.

  • The company also announced a minority interest in South Korea's Mobilebus Inc., one of Asia's fastest-growing mobile and PC game developers and publishers. 


FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE


Total revenue: CryptoLogic's revenue was up 3.4to $16.8 million over the same period a year ago (Q2 2007: $16.2 million). This growth came from the casino side of the business.


Revenue was down to $16.8 million from the $19.3 million achieved in the first quarter of 2008, reflecting various factors: less wagering by players due to the massive popularity of the Euro 2008 football championships and the unseasonably warm weather in many key markets; some unusually large jackpot wins by players; and the reduction of a $1 million provision for royalty payments in Q1 that, as expected, did not recur in Q2.


CryptoLogic expects revenue growth in the second half of 2008 as the company's new licensees come on stream, particularly in the fourth quarter, when weather turns colder and Internet gaming activity typically rises. CryptoLogic also expects modest but fast-growing revenue from Asia, and healthy casino revenue due to the launch of new games.


CryptoLogic has embarked on a strategy to enhance poker liquidity through new licensees and potential acquisitions. The launch of OPoker and Maharajah Club in July should have a positive impact on revenue, as should the other new customers announced previously, and those in the company's robust new business pipeline.


Expenses: Operating expenses were $13.2 million, up $1.8 million from a year ago but down $1.3 million from the first quarter of 2008. While the quarter featured lower compensation costs than Q1, 2008foreign exchange movements of $0.8 million increased this expense from the prior quarter. General and administrative expenses were up $1.9 million over Q2 2007 due principally to higher-than-anticipated professional fees for tax, audit and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. This also includes costs of $400,000 to protect the company's intellectual property, which CryptoLogic expects to recover in the future.


Earnings and Earnings per Diluted ShareThe company recorded a loss of $1.5 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share (Q2 2007: loss of $2.6 million or $0.19 per fully diluted share). The loss in the current quarter was due primarily to seasonal impacts on revenue, increased general and administrative costs, a higher effective tax rate and decreased interest income.


Balance Sheet and Cash FlowThe company's working capital at June 30, 2008 was $63.3 million or $4.54 per diluted share (March 31, 2008: $68.3 million or $4.90 per diluted share).  Net cash was $64.4 million (comprising cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and security deposits) on June 30, 2008, down $16.6 million since March 31, 2008 due to large tax payments, two dividend payments, additional consideration paid for the purchase of casino.co.uk, stock repurchases and the company's investment in Mahjong Time.  


OUTLOOK


While the second quarter proved to be challenging, CryptoLogic management continues to believe the company is on track for significant growth in 2009, for the following reasons:


  • In just five months, CryptoLogic's new leadership has signed seven new customers, three of whom are now up and running - producing a growing revenue stream for CryptoLogic in Q3, Q4 and beyond.


  • The company is implementing a four-pronged strategy to enhance liquidity in its licensees' shared poker room through new poker licensees, system enhancements, potential acquisitions and collaboration with other Internet poker networks.


  • CryptoLogic is widely acknowledged as a leader in Internet casino software, and is releasing innovative new products more quickly than ever before.


  • The company has made significant operational improvements, including adding new payment options, enhancing WagerLogic's call centre capabilities, improving search engine optimization and reorganizing development and operations functions.


  • CryptoLogic's Asian investments will earn modest revenue in 2008, with significant 2009 growth potential from multiple platforms in very large markets such as China, Singapore, India and Korea.


2008 Second Quarter Analyst Call

CryptoLogic's CEO and CFO will report on the company's Q2 earnings in a conference call scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. GMT). 


Local Dial-In Number:

416-695-6616

Toll Free North America:

1-877-677-0837

Toll Free International:

(Country Code)  800-6578-9898 



To participate, please call five to ten minutes prior to the 8:30 a.m. start of the teleconference. This conference call will be recorded and available for replay approximately one hour after the completion of the call, up until midnight (EST time) August 15, 2008. To listen to the replay, please dial 416-695-5800  or 1-800-408-3053, passcode 3266625#.  A transcript of the call will also be made available on CryptoLogic's website at www.cryptologic.com under Investor Information.


About CryptoLogic® (www.cryptologic.com)

Focused on integrity and innovation, CryptoLogic Limited is a world-leading, blue-chip public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. Its leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the very few companies with gaming software that has been certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming.


WagerLogic Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of CryptoLogic software and services to licensees who offer their games around the world to non-U.S. based players. For information on WagerLogic®, visit www.wagerlogic.com. CryptoLogic's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CRY, CXY), the NASDAQ Global Select Market (CRYP) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (CRP).


For more information, please contact:

CryptoLogic, 35316641682

Argyle Communications, (416) 968-7311

(North American and gaming industry media)

Stephen Taylor, Chief Financial Officer

Daniel Tisch, ext 223/

dtisch@argylecommunications.com 


Karen Passmore, ext 228

kpassmore@argylecommunications.com 


Corfin Communications 

(UK media only)


Neil Thapar, +44 207 977 0020


William Cullum, +44 207 977 0020


Harry Chathli, +44 207 977 0020


CRYPTOLOGIC FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER: 

Statements in this news release which are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's financial condition and prospects, legal risks associated with Internet gaming and risks of governmental legislation and regulation, risks associated with market acceptance and technological changes, risks associated with dependence on licensees and key licensees, risks relating to international operations, risks associated with competition and 




  

CRYPTOLOGIC LIMITED 

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

 (In thousands of US dollars) 


 

 

 

 As at 

 

 As at 

 

 

 

 June 30, 

 

 December 31, 

 

 

 

 2008 

 

 2007 



(unaudited)


(audited)






 ASSETS 

 

 

 

 

 Current assets: 

 

 

 

 

 Cash and cash equivalents 

 

$  58,210 

 

$  55,428 

 Restricted cash 

 

5,600 

 

20,576 

 Security deposits 

 

600 

 

1,500 

 Accounts receivable and other 

 

13,136 

 

11,357 

 Prepaid expenses  

 

8,796 

 

8,312 

 

 

 

86,342 

 

97,173 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 User funds on deposit  

 

23,082 

 

22,317 

 Capital assets 

 

25,042 

 

25,802 

 Long term investments 

 

7,321 

 

5,326 

 Intangible assets 

 

13,929 

 

14,724 

 Goodwill 

 

6,545 

 

5,291 

 

 

 

$  162,261

 

$   170,633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 

 

 

 

 

 Current liabilities: 

 

 

 

 

 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

 

22,526 

 

24,154 

 Income taxes payable 

 

508 

 

4,820 

 

 

 

23,034 

 

28,974 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 User funds held on deposit 

 

23,082 

 

22,317 

 Future income taxes 

 

496 

 

345 

 

 

 

46,612 

 

51,636 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Minority interest 

 

9,648 

 

9,691 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Shareholders' equity: 

 

 

 

 

 Share capital 

 

33,587 

 

33,407 

 Stock options 

 

6,133 

 

5,044 

 Retained earnings 

 

66,281 

 

 70,855 

 

 

 

106, 001 

 

 109,306 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Subsequent event 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$  162,261 

 

$   170,633 




CRYPTOLOGIC LIMITED 

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS 

 (In thousands of US dollar, except per share data

 (Unaudited) 




 For the three months 


 For the six months 



 ended June 30, 


 ended June 30, 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007










 Revenue 

 $    16,800 

 

 $    16,244 

 

 $    36,118 

 

 $    35,806 

 Expenses 








 Operating 

13,170 


11,405 


27,609 


24,963 

 General and administrative 

4,017 


2,070 


6,869 


4,451 

 Reorganization

-  


4,036 


-  


5,665 

 Finance 

80 


98 


253 


193 

 Amortization 

1,469 

 

1,652 

 

2,865 

 

3,135 

 

 

18,736 

 

19,261 

 

37,596 

 

38,407 










 Earnings (loss) before undernoted 

(1,936)


(3,017)


(1,478)


(2,601)

 Interest income 

824 


1,649 


1,618 


3,381 

 Non operating income (loss) 





102 












 Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority interest 

(1,112)

 

(1,368)

 

242 

 

780 










 Income taxes








 Current 

167 


209 


721 


807 

 Future 

118 

 

1,044 

 

147 

 

1,110 



285 


1,253 


868 


1,917 










 Net earnings (loss) before minority interest 

(1,397)

 

(2,621)

 

(626)

 

(1,137)










 Minority Interest 

96 


  -  


258 


-  










 Net Earnings and comprehensive income 

 $   (1,493)

 

 $    (2,621)

 

 $      (884)

 

 $    (1,137)










 Net Earnings per common share 








 Basic 

 $     (0.10)


 $      (0.19)


 $     (0.04)


 $     (0.08)

 Diluted