(CRP.L) Cryptologic Ltd Buy/Sell

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Operating highlights:

Q4 2009 outlook:

"Despite a disappointing third quarter, CryptoLogic's business strategy is delivering tangible progress, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "With a lower cost base, the largest customer roster in CryptoLogic's history and our third consecutive quarter of increased revenue from branded games, we remain focused on executing our plan - and returning to profitability and long term growth."

Overview

While CryptoLogic continued to make progress in executing its business strategy, overall results in the quarter were affected by a number of factors. Uncertain macroeconomic conditions and sluggish wagering activity contributed to a significant decline in wagering volumes in both casino and poker compared with the previous year. While the third quarter is traditionally the slowest season for Internet gaming, the seasonal uptick in demand normally seen in September was well below historic trends.

The rollout of branded games by new licensees gained further momentum, but as most of the new games scheduled for the quarter were not launched by customers until late in the period, revenue from these will only start to come through in Q4 2009.

The company's most popular games in the quarter included, Cleo-Queen of Egypt, Cubis, Hulk Ultimate Revenge, Millionaires Club III and Spider-Man Revelations.

New games, new customers

Notwithstanding the slower-than-expected rollout by some customers, CryptoLogic's "build-once-license-often" strategy delivered solid growth from branded games for the third consecutive quarter. Revenue from this segment increased to $0.78 million, a 46% rise since the second quarter as the number of games on customer sites rose to 33, up from 13 in Q2 and three in Q1. Further launches by customers since the end of the quarter have increased the total number of games on the market to 50 today.

The company signed several prominent gaming and entertainment companies in the quarter including well known brands such as Betsafe, Totesport and Virgin Games. Following the Q4 signings and game launches for Rank Interactive and Unibet, CryptoLogic has expanded its customer base to 29 licensees, the most in the company's history.

E-gaming innovation

CryptoLogic continued to add to its product portfolio with the launch of a new downloadable game lineup that features a video slot version of the world-famous Street Fighter* IV. The new game pack also featured video slot games Savannah Sunrise, Cleo "Crazy Jackpots" Area 21 and updated versions of longtime favourites Caribbean Stud Poker, American Roulette and Video Poker.

Financial performance

Total revenue: CryptoLogic's revenue was $9.6 million for the third quarter, down $0.5 million from Q2 2009 as wagering activity slowed in August, without a typical seasonal bounceback in September. Revenue was also reduced by $0.56 million as a result of the number of jackpot wins in the quarter, which was above historic levels. This was reflected in casino revenue of $7.1 million in Q3, down from $7.7 million in the second quarter. Poker revenue was flat at $0.5 million in the third quarter. Other revenue included a $0.8 million benefit recorded due to a revised estimate for future royalty payments. As noted above, revenue from branded games continues to grow, up 46% to $0.78 million in the third quarter from $0.53 million in Q2.

Earnings and Earnings per Diluted Share: Due to the factors cited above, the company recorded a loss of $3.4 million, or $0.25 per share (based on a weighted average of 13,820,000 outstanding shares), for the quarter.

Operating expenses were $9.2 million for the quarter, down from $9.9 million in the second quarter and $16.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. This reflects the company's continued efforts to reduce costs across the business. General and administrative expenses were $2.4 million, up from $2.2 million in Q2 due largely to foreign exchange movements, and down from $3.1 million in Q3 2008.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow: CryptoLogic ended the quarter with $28.4 million in net cash (comprising cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and security deposits), or $2.06 per diluted share (June 30, 2009: $33.8 million or $2.45 per diluted share). The decrease in net cash was due largely to the operating loss, jackpot wins of $2.6 million paid out during the quarter. The company continues to be debt-free. CryptoLogic's working capital at September 30, 2009 was $2.50 per share. (June 30, 2009: $37.4 million or $2.70 per diluted share).

Dividend

CryptoLogic declared a dividend of $0.01 per share for the quarter, down from $0.03 in the first two quarters of 2009. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2009 to shareholders of record of CryptoLogic Limited and CryptoLogic Exchange Corporation as at December 1, 2009.

Outlook

The implementation of the company's branded games is in the hands of its licensees, and has been slower than expected. CryptoLogic continues to expect a steady rise in branded game revenue in the fourth quarter. 50 games are on the market today, and based on the latest information from customers, the company expects more than 80 games to be on the market by the end of the year.

Notwithstanding this progress, the continued impact of the economic environment and the delays in rolling out branded games will result in a loss in the fourth quarter. In light of the company's performance and the current trading and economic environment, CryptoLogic is undertaking a review of the carrying value of its assets in conjunction with the company's annual planning and budgeting process in the fourth quarter and this is likely to result in a significant impairment charge.

Investor/analyst conference call

CryptoLogic will hold a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. GMT) to update investors on the company's earnings in Q3 2009. The details of the call are as follows:

Toll Free North America: 1-800-766-6630
Toll Free UK: 00 800-4222-8835

Toll Free International (Country Code) 800-4222-8835 Toronto Dial-In Number: 416-340-8410

To participate, please call five to ten minutes prior to the 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 on November 20, 2009. To listen to the replay, please dial 416-695-5800 or 1-800-408-3053, passcode 8851764¿. 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 leading public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. With more than 300 games, CryptoLogic has one of the most comprehensive casino suites on the Internet, with award-winning games featuring some of the world's most famous action and entertainment characters. The company's licensees include many top Internet gaming brands, including the "big four" international operators. CryptoLogic's leadership in regulatory compliance makes it one of the few companies with gaming software certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming. WagerLogic® Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CryptoLogic, is responsible for the licensing of gaming software and services to blue-chip customers that offer their games to non-U.S. based players around the world. For information on WagerLogic, please 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).

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For more information, please contact:
CryptoLogic, 353 (0) 1 234 Argyle Communications, (416) 968-7311
0415 (North American and gaming industry media)
Stephen Taylor, Chief Jason Graham, ext 229
Financial Officer jgraham@argylecommunications.com
Daniel Tisch, ext 223
dtisch@argylecommunications.com
Corfin Communications
(UK media only)
Neil Thapar, +44 207 977 0020
Harry Chathli or Alexis Gore, +44 207 977 0020

CRYPTOLOGIC FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER:

Statements in this press 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. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, foreign exchange rates and effective income tax rates. While the company considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's financial condition, prospects and opportunities, 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 other risks detailed in the company's filings with securities regulatory authorities. These risks may cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are given only as at the date of this release and the company disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

As at As at
September 30, December 31,

(unaudited) (audited)

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,194 $ 36,348
Restricted cash - 7,175
Security deposits 250 250
Accounts receivable and other 7,533 6,002
Prepaid expenses 8,892 6,564
Income taxes receivable 1,541 653
46,410 56,992

User funds held on deposit 5,217 10,833
Future income taxes 3,629 1,930
Capital assets 15,972 18,703
Long-term investments 2,337 5,821
Intangible assets 4,502 4,982
Goodwill 6,545 6,545
$ 84,612 $ 105,806

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 11,439 $ 15,356
Income taxes payable 417 413
11,856 15,769

User funds held on deposit 5,217 10,833
Future income taxes 298 382
17,371 26,984

Minority interest 5,648 6,382

Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 33,766 33,552
Stock options 7,634 6,856
Retained earnings 20,193 32,032
61,593 72,440

$ 84,612 $ 105,806

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

For the three months For the nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,

Revenue $ 9,591 $ 14,049 $ 29,865 $ 50,166

Expenses
Operating 9,211 16,506 27,305 44,114
General and administrative 2,380 3,067 7,704 9,936
Reorganization 240 - 927 -
Impairment of long-term investments - - 3,961 -
Finance 19 78 66 331
Amortization 1,241 1,519 3,745 4,426
13,091 21,170 43,708 58,807
Loss before undernoted (3,500) (7,121) (13,843) (8,641)
Interest income 87 443 380 2,061
Non operating income - - - 102
Net loss before income taxes and minority (3,413) (6,678) (13,463) (6,478)

interest

Income taxes:
Current 178 (98) (565) 582
Future (163) (298) (1,783) (152)
15 (396) (2,348) 430
Net loss before minority interest (3,428) (6,282) (11,115) (6,908)
Minority interest (224) (396) (424) (138)
Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (3,204) $ (5,886) $(10,691) $ (6,770)

Net loss per common share
Basic $ (0.25) $ (0.45) $ (0.81) $ (0.50)
Diluted $ (0.25) $ (0.45) $ (0.81) $ (0.50)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
For the nine months ended
September 30,

Retained earnings, beginning of period $ 32,032 $ 70,855
Loss (10,691) (6,770)
Dividends paid, excluding those paid to CEC shareholders (1,148) (4,616)
Excess of purchase over stated value of repurchased common shares - (1,067)
Retained earnings, end of period $ 20,193 $ 58,402

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

For the three months For the nine months
ended September 30, ended September 30,

Cash flows from (used in):

Operating activities:
Net loss $ (3,204) $ (5,886) $ (10,691) $ (6,770)
Adjustments to reconcile loss to cash
provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Amortization 1,241 1,519 3,745 4,426
Reorganization expense 240 - 927 -
Impairment of long-term investments - - 3,961 -
Unrealized gain on forward contract (39) - (175) (120)
Future income taxes (163) (315) (1,783) (164)
Minority interest (224) (396) (424) (138)
Stock options 183 442 778 1,613
(1,966) (4,636) (3,662) (1,153)
Change in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable and other (203) 2,458 (1,531) 679
Prepaid expenses (215) (1,984) (2,152) (2,391)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,403) (5,450) (4,844) (7,077)
Income taxes payable 31 (366) (884) (4,678)
(4,756) (9,978) (13,073) (14,620)

Financing activities:
Issue of capital stock, net - - - 189
Repurchase of common shares - (626) - (1,365)
Dividends paid including those to CEC shareholders (416) (1,674) (1,245) (5,018)
(416) (2,300) (1,245) (6,194)

Investing activities:
Cash paid for Casino.co.uk - - - (1,254)
Purchase of capital assets (227) (3,039) (534) (4,348)
Purchase of other investments - (400) (477) (2,395)
(Increase)/decrease in restricted cash 5,000 (2,914) 7,175 12,062
Decrease in security deposits - - - 900
4,773 (6,353) 6,164 4,965
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (399) (18,631) (8,154) (15,849)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 28,593 58,210 36,348 55,428
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 28,194 $ 39,579 $ 28,194 $ 39,579

Supplemental cash flow information:
Non cash portion of options exercised $ - $ - $ - $ 83

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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