500.com Limited Announces Unaudited Financial Results For the First Quarter of 2019

SHENZHEN, China, May 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 500.com Limited (NYSE: WBAI) ("500.com" or the "Company"), a leading online sports lottery service provider in China, today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Physical Sales Channels of Sports Lottery Tickets

In March 2018, the Company entered into a framework agreement with the China Sports Lottery Administration Center ("CSLA"), pursuant to which we will cooperate with CLSA to develop physical channels to sell sports lottery tickets.

As of the reporting date, the Company had entered into framework agreements with Tianjin, Hunan and several other provincial (including regional and municipal) sports lottery centers and started trial operations in Tianjin, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi and several other provinces and cities in China. The Company is committed to assisting sports lottery sales organizations throughout the country to improve the distribution of physical sales channel outlets in order to facilitate sports lottery ticket purchases and optimize the experience of lottery purchasers.

Suspension of Online Sports Lottery Sales in China

All provincial sports lottery administration centers to which the Company provided sports lottery sales services have suspended accepting online purchase orders for lottery products in response to the Notice related to Self-Inspection and Self-Remedy of Unauthorized Online Lottery Sales (the "Self-Inspection Notice"), which was jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports of the People's Republic of China on January 15, 2015. In response to the Self-Inspection Notice, on April 4, 2015, the Company decided to voluntarily suspend all online lottery sales services. As a result of the provincial sport lottery administration centers' decision to suspend accepting online lottery orders and the Company's voluntary suspension of all online sports lottery sales services in China, the Company has not generated any revenue from these services since April 2015.

First Quarter 2019 Highlights for Continuing Operations

• Net revenues were RMB14.3 million (US$2.1 million), compared with RMB27.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, and RMB38.4 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Operating loss was RMB97.3 million (US$14.5 million), compared with operating loss of RMB95.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, and operating loss of RMB76.9 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Non-GAAP^[1] operating loss was RMB68.6 million (US$10.2 million), compared with non-GAAP operating loss of RMB70.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB55.5 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB93.2 million (US$13.9 million), compared with net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB247.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, and net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB70.0 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB64.5 million (US$9.6 million), compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB222.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, and non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB48.7 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Basic and diluted losses per ADS were RMB2.19 (US$0.33).
• Non-GAAP basic and diluted losses per ADS were RMB1.50 (US$0.20).

Mr. Zhengming Pan, the CEO of 500.com, stated, "Since we voluntarily suspended our online lottery sales operations in April 2015, we have continued to engage in new and promising initiatives to increase our revenue base. For example, we acquired TMG in July 2017, and this acquisition has significantly increased our revenue. In addition, in March 2018, we entered into a framework agreement with CSLA, pursuant to which we will cooperate with CLSA to develop physical channels to sell sports lottery tickets. In that regard, we have entered into framework agreements with Tianjin, Hunan and several other provinces and cities in China to assist them in developing physical sales channels of sports lottery tickets. We also have started trial operations in Tianjin, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi and several other provinces and cities in China. We will continue to look for additional opportunities to enhance value for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results for Continuing Operations

Net Revenues

Net revenues were RMB14.3 million (US$2.1 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing a decrease of RMB12.9 million or 47.4% from RMB27.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. Net revenues during the first quarter of 2019 consisted primarily of RMB10.9 million (EUR1.4 million) in revenue contribution from the Company's online lottery betting and online casino in Europe through The Multi Group ("TMG"), which accounted for 76.2% of total net revenues. The decrease was mainly attributable to website migration in connection with the conversion of the Swedish license in TMG, which required users to re-register, and the ceased operation of sports information services in China in March 2019.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB111.2 million (US$16.6 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing a decrease of RMB4.5 million or 3.9% from RMB115.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, and a decrease of RMB12.4 million or 10.0% from RMB123.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB11.0 million in marketing and promotional expenses relating to the change of marketing strategy in TMG and the discontinued operations of our mobile application Quiz, a decrease of RMB4.6 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online lottery operations, a decrease of RMB3.2 million in consulting expenses, and a decrease of RMB1.9 million in expenses for employees, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB8.6 million in depreciation and amortization associated with leasehold improvements, and an increase of RMB7.3 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB10.5 million in expenses for employees, a decrease of RMB5.2 million in marketing and promotional expenses mainly relating to the change of marketing strategy in TMG, a decrease of RMB1.9 million in consulting expenses, a decrease of RMB1.8 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online lottery operations, a decrease of RMB1.5 million in platform service costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online casino operations and  a decrease of RMB1.3 million in travelling expenses, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB7.3 million in depreciation and amortization associated with leasehold improvements and an increase of RMB3.5 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees. 

Cost of services was RMB17.0 million (US$2.5 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing a decrease of RMB4.5 million or 20.9% from RMB21.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, and a decrease of RMB3.6 million or 17.5% from RMB20.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB4.6 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online lottery operations. The sequential decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB1.8 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online lottery operations and a decrease of RMB1.5 million in platform service costs for TMG associated with its decrease in online casino operations.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB14.8 million (US$2.2 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing a decrease of RMB6.7 million or 31.2% from RMB21.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, and a decrease of RMB8.0 million or 35.1% from RMB22.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The year-over-year decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB11.0 million in marketing and promotional expenses relating to the change of marketing strategy in TMG and the discontinued operations of our mobile application Quiz, which was partially offset by an increase of RMB2.1 million in expenses for employees in connection with the operation of physical sales channels of sports lottery tickets started in the second quarter of 2018, an increase of RMB0.7 million in depreciation associated with leasehold improvements for the Company's provincial offices for physical sales channels of sports lottery tickets, an increase of RMB0.5 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees, and an increase of RMB0.4 million in rental expenses associated with the Company's provincial offices for physical sales channels of sports lottery tickets. The sequential decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease of RMB5.2 million in marketing and promotional expenses mainly relating to the change of marketing strategy in TMG and a decrease of RMB2.8 million in expenses for employees.

General and administrative expenses were RMB65.7 million (US$9.8 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing an increase of RMB7.8 million or 13.5% from RMB57.9 million for the first quarter of 2018, and a slight increase of RMB1.7 million or 2.7% from RMB64.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase of RMB7.9 million in depreciation and amortization associated with leasehold improvements, and an increase of RMB5.9 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB3.1 million in expenses for employees and a decrease of RMB2.5 million in consulting expenses. The sequential increase was mainly due to an increase of RMB7.3 million in depreciation and amortization associated with leasehold improvements, and an increase of RMB3.1 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees, which were partially offset by a decrease of RMB5.0 million in expenses for employees, a decrease of RMB1.9 million in consulting expenses and a decrease of RMB1.3 million in travelling expenses.

Service development expenses were RMB13.8 million (US$2.1 million) for the first quarter of 2019, representing a decrease of RMB0.9 million or 6.1% from RMB14.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, and a decrease of RMB2.3 million or 14.3% from RMB16.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB0.9 million in expenses for employees, and a decrease of RMB0.7 million in consulting expenses, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB0.9 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's employees. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB2.7 million in expenses for employees.

Operating Loss

Operating loss was RMB97.3 million (US$14.5 million) for the first quarter of 2019, compared with operating loss of RMB76.9 million for the first quarter of 2018, and operating loss of RMB95.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP operating loss was RMB68.6 million (US$10.2 million) for the first quarter of 2019, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of RMB55.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB70.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Net Loss Attributable to 500.com

Net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB93.2 million (US$13.9 million) for the first quarter of 2019, compared with net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB70.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, and net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB247.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. The sequential decrease was mainly due to an impairment provision of RMB149.9 million provided for long-term investment during the fourth quarter of 2018, while there was no impairment provision for the first quarter of 2019.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com was RMB64.5 million (US$9.6 million) for the first quarter of 2019, compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB48.7 million for the first quarter of 2018, and non-GAAP net loss attributable to 500.com of RMB222.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results for Discontinued Operations

Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes

The Company disposed of Qufan Internet Technology Inc., and Shenzhen Qufan Network Technology Co., Ltd, ("Qufan") on February 9, 2018 for a total consideration of RMB122.0 million and recognized a disposal gain of RMB10.2 million, including foreign exchange loss, thus there were no net income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, was RMB2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Time Deposits and Short-term Investments

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB386.6 million (US$57.6 million), restricted cash^[2] of RMB4.2 million (US$0.6 million) and short-term investments of RMB100.0 million (US$14.9 million), compared with cash and cash equivalents of RMB435.1 million, restricted cash of RMB1.3 million and short-term investments of RMB100.0 million as of December 31, 2018.

Prepayments and Other Current Assets

As of March 31, 2019, the balance of prepayment and other current assets was RMB66.7 million (US$9.9 million), compared with RMB65.2 million as of December 31, 2018. The balance as of March 31, 2019 mainly included: (i) the current portion of deferred expenses of RMB12.2 million (US$1.8 million); (ii) receivables from third party payment providers of RMB7.2 million (US$1.1 million); (iii) deposit receivables of RMB5.8 million (US$0.9 million); (iv) receivables of consideration from disposal of subsidiaries of RMB4.3 million (US$0.6 million); (v) deductible value added input tax of RMB13.6 million (US$2.0 million); and (vi) other receivables of RMB23.6 million (US$3.5 million).

Business Outlook

The Company does not expect to issue any earnings forecast until it receives clear instructions as to the resumption date of online sports lottery sales from the Ministry of Finance.

Currency Convenience Translation

This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of readers. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at the exchange rate of RMB6.7112 to US$1.00, as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on March 29, 2019, and all translations from Renminbi to EUR were made at the exchange rate of RMB7.6223 to EUR1.00, which is the average of the month-end exchange rates as set forth in the statistical release of State Administration of Foreign Exchange at the end of each month in 2019.

About 500.com Limited

500.com Limited (NYSE: WBAI) is a leading online sports lottery service provider in China. The Company offers a comprehensive and integrated suite of online lottery services, information, user tools and virtual community venues to its users. 500.com was among the first companies to provide online lottery services in China, and is one of two entities that have been approved by the Ministry of Finance to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of the China Sports Lottery Administration Center, which is the government authority that is in charge of the issuance and sale of sports lottery products in China.

Safe Harbor Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the Company's financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, which are adjusted from results based on U.S. GAAP to exclude share-based compensation expenses in the Company's consolidated affiliated entities. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP financial measures are set forth in table at the end of this release, which provide more details on the non-GAAP financial measures.

Non-GAAP financial information is provided as additional information to help investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors' overall understanding of the historical and current financial performance of the Company's continuing operations and prospects for the future. Non-GAAP financial information should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP results. In addition, calculations of this non-GAAP financial information may be different from calculations used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

For more information, please contact:

500.com Limited
ir@500wan.com

Christensen

In China
Mr. Christian Arnell
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: carnell@christensenir.com

In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com