Everest Poker Fuels GigaMedia Growth

12 March 2008

Taiwan-based GigaMedia, owner of Everest Poker, reports a 77 percent increase in revenues to $166.9 million and a 73 percent increase in operating income to $38.1 million in 2007, driven by growth in its poker software business in Europe and its online games business in Asia.

In the fourth quarter, revenues improved 11 percent to $47.7 million compared to the third quarter while net income grew 10 percent to $10.7 million.

"We made excellent progress building a powerful online entertainment brand in Europe and an enormous pan-Asian online game platform, and closed out the year with strong momentum during an even stronger 2008," said chief executive Arthur Wang.

Gigamedia has two main business segments: a gaming software division that develops online poker and casino solutions for European markets, and a division that operates an online suite of play-for-fun games for an Asian audience, particularly in China.

The software division returned full year revenues of $119 million and gross profit of $102.8 million, fueled by continued strong growth on Everest Poker.

In the online games division, the company says it "strengthened its position as a leader in Asia, growing its regional footprint significantly, enhancing its game portfolio by licensing expected hit titles targeting a full range of gamers, and adding to its ability to source hot games through investments in leading game development studios."

As reported:

Highlights of Full-Year 2007 Unaudited Results

-- Consolidated revenues rose 77 percent to a record US$166.9 million.

-- Consolidated operating income grew 73 percent to a record US$38.1 million.

-- Consolidated net income of a record US$38.9 million, up 63 percent after deduction of a one-time after-tax disposal gain of approximately $7.0 million in 2006. GAAP basic and fully-diluted earnings per share were US$0.74 and US$0.65, respectively.

-- Non-GAAP net income was US$40.6 million. Non-GAAP basic and fully- diluted earnings per share were US$0.77 and US$0.68, respectively, which excludes non-cash share-based compensation expenses.

-- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities-current totaled US$79.9 million at year end.

Highlights of Fourth-Quarter 2007 Unaudited Results

-- Fourth-quarter poker software revenues grew 21 percent from the third quarter of 2007.

-- Consolidated revenues climbed 59 percent to US$47.7 million from US$30.1 million in 2006 and grew by 11 percent from the previous quarter.

-- Consolidated operating income rose 16 percent to US$9.3 million from US$8.0 million in 2006 and declined by 7 percent quarter-over- quarter.

-- Consolidated net income increased 8 percent to US$10.7 million from US$9.9 million in 2006 and grew by 10 percent from the previous quarter. GAAP basic and fully-diluted earnings per share were US$0.20 and US$0.18, respectively.

-- Non-GAAP net income was US$11.3 million. Non-GAAP basic and fully- diluted earnings per share were US$0.21 and US$0.19, respectively, which excludes non-cash share-based compensation expenses.

Recent Developments

-- World Series of Poker: Everest Poker secures key multiyear sponsorship -- strong platform for launch into U.S., pending legalization.

-- EA SPORTS FIFA Online 2: Southeast Asian affiliate Infocomm Asia Holdings signs with Electronic Arts -- brings hot game to more than 20 million online gamers and over 100 million soccer fans in SE Asia.