CRYPTOLOGIC IN THE MONEY
11 May 2007
Another eventful quarter from online gambling
software provider
Gambling software company CryptoLogic Inc. has reported
a first-quarter profit of US$1.5 million, down from a
year-earlier US$7.7 million on a 27 percent drop in
revenue.
Shares in the veteran online gambling company initially
declined on the news, which revealed earnings of 11
cents per diluted share, down on the 56 cents per share
achieved in the prior-year period.
Excluding special items, the company said it would have
posted a loss of $400 000 million, or three cents per
diluted share.
But it was another eventful and generally positive
quarter for the company, which listed eight new licensee
sites, 40 new games, interesting acquisitions and
continuing Asian expansion among its achievements.
Reporting on financial results for the three months
ended March 31 2007, the company revealed revenue and
earnings of $19.6 million (down 27.5 percent on Q1 2006)
and $1.5 million, respectively. CryptoLogic ended the
quarter with $103.8 million in net cash.
The first quarter included several special items,
including an increase in revenue of $4.0 million ($4.5
million before tax) resulting from a change in the
company's estimate of the future amount to be paid out
in casino jackpots; a charge of $1.4 million ($1.6
million before tax) for the establishment of the
company's new global headquarters in Europe; and $0.7
million ($0.8 million before tax) in development costs
related to new licensee sites.
"At CryptoLogic , the first quarter was about investing
in the future, and charting a course for global growth,"
said Javaid Aziz, CryptoLogic 's new President and CEO.
"We've launched five new customer sites since December,
and have seven more in the queue - including two for
Holland Casino, and two for World Poker Tour.
"With our largest customers on long-term agreements, and
modest revenue expected this year from our Asian
venture, CryptoLogic is poised for long-term growth in
the European markets of today - and the Asian markets of
tomorrow."
CryptoLogic 's results follow a busy quarter in which
the company unveiled a series of new games and customer
acquisitions in an uncertain era of significant change
for the industry following the United States prohibition
on online gaming financial transactions last fall.
Since most of the company's business came from Europe
before the legislation, the financial impact of the U.S.
action on CryptoLogic was less serious than it was for
many competitors that derived substantially all of their
revenue from U.S. -based players. Prior to enactment of
the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA)
passed in October 2006, licensees' revenue from
Europe-based players was approximately 70 percent of
total revenue; now all revenue is from non-U.S. based
players. The company is building on this strong base
with an aggressive plan to add additional licensee
revenue in Europe and the rest of the world.
Highlights of the report include:
New customers
* Signed land-based World Poker Tour for exclusive three
year contract for on-line poker
* Launched PlayboyGaming.com's poker site, with the
casino site set to launch in the second quarter of 2007
* Launched sites for Betsafe and Parbet, two growing
Scandinavian poker brands
New market: Government-owned casino
* Signed an exclusive three-year agreement to provide
both poker and casino software for Holland Casino , the
Netherlands' government-owned casino operator. Subject
to certain approvals, the new sites are expected to
launch in June 2007
New partnership in Asia
* Signed a memorandum of understanding with Brilliance
Technology Co . and 568 Network Inc . to penetrate the
high- growth Chinese market with CryptoLogic 's existing
games and new games for the Chinese diaspora.
Subscription-based "play-for-fun" games are planned to
be offered over the Internet and mobile phones.
"Play-for-money" games are planned to be offered through
retail locations licensed by the China Welfare Lottery,
the nation's gaming licensing authority
Strategic acquisition
* Purchased the poker brand and related assets of
Parbet.com, a popular Scandinavian online poker room,
and licensed them to a third party operator
Game innovation
* Converted major casino games to multi- language basis
* Awarded Gambling Online's Top Casino Software Award
for the second year running. The award is based on the
votes of players from around the world
* Extended exclusive brand licensing agreement with
Marvel Entertainment Inc. to 2010
Corporate initiatives
* Developed a plan to establish its new executive
headquarters in Ireland this year, subject to approval
at a special meeting of shareholders on May 24, 2007
* Javaid Aziz joined the company on April 2, 2007 as
President and Chief Executive Officer
* On May 9, 2007, declared a quarterly cash dividend
US$0.12 per share
Financial Performance
Total revenue for the quarter was $19.6 million, 27.5
percent lower than Q1 2006. Poker revenue was down
mainly due to the loss of the Betfair licensee in Q4
2006. Casino revenue was enhanced by an adjustment to
amounts provided to cover future jackpot payouts of $4.5
million.
CryptoLogic's financial strength continued to be
reflected in its strong balance sheet. At March 31,
2007, net cash was $103.8 million (comprising cash and
cash equivalents, short term investments and security
deposits), or $7.43 per diluted share (December 31,
2006: $128.4 million, or $9.35 per diluted share). The
decrease in net cash of $24.6 million reflects mainly
amounts paid for the January 2007 purchase of Parbet,
purchase of capital assets and increases in non-cash
operating assets. The company continues to be debt-free.
For Quarter 2 2007, CryptoLogic estimates revenue of
$15.5 -$16.5 million. The company expects earnings in Q2
2007 to be break-even, before the deduction of $1.5
million in pre-tax costs related to the new European
headquarters. After those costs are deducted, the
company forecasts a loss of $1.5 million, or ($0.11) per
diluted share. This represents an additional quarter of
investment in new licensee relationships to build for
future earnings growth.
CryptoLogic expects 2007 to be a year of transition,
with growth expected in both Europe and Asia. The
company has signed its largest customers to long-term
agreements, launched five new customer sites since
December, and expects to launch three more in the second
quarter (Playboy Gaming's Internet casino, and Holland
Casino's poker and casino sites). Later this year,
CryptoLogic expects to benefit from modest revenue from
its new venture in China.
Beyond 2007, industry analysts continue to expect strong
growth from the European market, which has been
CryptoLogic 's core focus for the last five years. In
addition, rapid online growth in Asia is expected in the
years to come.
Accordingly, the company has set itself the following
long-term financial objectives for its continuing
business in Europe and Asia:
* Grow revenue and earnings at 20 percent year-over-year
for Europe and Asia combined
* Achieve net margin and return on equity of 20 percent
* Achieve double -digit revenue growth in casino and
poker
* Exceed industry growth rates in key online casino and
poker markets.
Online Casino News courtesy of
InfoPowa
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