EX-99.1 2 a00834exv99w1.htm EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE exv99w1
 

         

Exhibit 99.1

Youbet Reports Improved Net Revenue and Income
for 2004 Second Quarter, Six-Months

Woodland Hills, CA, August 3, 2004 — Youbet.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: UBET), a leading online wagering company and the largest provider of horse racing content in the United States, today announced that the company earned net income of $39,766 in the second quarter of 2004, a $1.0 million improvement over the net loss of $982,545 for the same quarter a year ago.

Earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the three months ended June 30, 2004 rose 22.6% to $743,033 in 2004 versus $606,034 in 2003.

Youbet’s performance during the second quarter featured a year-over-year increase in gross handle resulting in the company’s tenth consecutive quarter of net revenue growth and its second straight quarter of net income. The gains were offset by higher marketing related expenses and by a $245,000 non-cash legal expense reserve to protect against any non-payment by the company’s D&O insurance carrier.

Gross handle in the second quarter of 2004 increased 13.3 percent to $83.0 million compared to $73.3 million in the second quarter of 2003. Youbet set a record for quarterly handle in the second three months of the year even though its network was contractually prohibited from carrying the 2004 Preakness Stakes and all non-California racing content provided by Magna Entertainment Corp.

Net revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 increased 22.2 percent to a record $5.7 million, compared to $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2003.

“During this quarter, our first as a truly independent organization, we took steps to put ourselves on a course toward sustained business expansion,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Champion.

“These steps included a realignment of our executive team to focus on operating excellence, enhancing customer service enhancement and developing growth opportunities and an aggressive marketing stance to take advantage of heightened racing interest during the Triple Crown,” he said.

“Advanced deposit wagering is gaining traction among operators, jurisdictions and consumers both here and abroad,” Champion continued, “and Youbet, with its industry-leading technology, content and customer service, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that the market is creating.”

 


 

Operating expenses, excluding track and licensing fees, for the second quarter were $4.9 million, compared to $4.0 million in the same quarter of 2003, reflecting increases in network operations costs and higher sales and marketing expense. Marketing related expenses were $340,000 higher in the second quarter of 2004 reflecting an effort by the company to take advantage of the heightened interest in racing’s Triple Crown and to retain customers during the week of the Preakness. The program resulted in a 13.3 percent increase in Preakness week handle — to $6.8 million in 2004 from $6.0 million in 2003 — even though the race was not carried on Youbet’s network.

As a percent of second quarter handle, operating expenses, excluding track and licensing fees, in the second quarter of 2004 were 5.9 percent compared to 5.5 percent in the same quarter in 2003.

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, Youbet earned net income of $54,876 compared to net loss of $2.2 million for the same period in 2003.

EBITDA for the six months rose to $1,838,270 in 2004 versus $1,071,034 in 2003, an increase of 72 percent.

Gross handle for the six months ended June 30, 2004 grew 15.3 percent to $154.8 million from $134.3 million in the 2003 period. Net revenue for the six months increased to $11.1 million, a 31.4 percent improvement from the same period a year ago.

Operating expenses, excluding track and licensing fees, for the first six months of the year were 6.0 percent of handle, compared to 5.5 percent in 2003.

2004 SECOND QUARTER OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

    Youbet generated a 13.3 percent increase in total handle in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the same period of 2003.

    Total revenue increased 18.7 percent in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the prior year’s second quarter.

    Net revenue rose 22.2 percent in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the 2003 second quarter.

    Net income rose to $39,766 in the second quarter of 2004 compared to a net loss of $982,545 for the same quarter in 2003.

Youbet also reported that it will conduct its 2003 Annual Meeting at the company’s corporate offices in Woodland Hills, California on August 24, 2004. Proxy solicitations have been mailed to shareholders of record as of July 30, 2004. The Annual Meeting had been delayed by a now-resolved legal dispute with Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., whose TVG subsidiary elected not to exercise warrants in the second quarter of 2004 that would have given it control of the company. The warrants would have expired on May 18, 2004.

Youbet.com is the largest Internet provider of thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness horse racing content in the United States. Members have the ability to watch and, in most states, the ability to wager on vast majority of all major domestic horse racing content via Youbet.com’s exclusive closed-loop network. Youbet.com members enjoy features that include commingled track pools, live audio/video, up-to-the-minute track information, real-time wagering information, phone wagering and value-added handicapping products.

 


 

Youbet.com is an official online wagering platform of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. Youbet.com operates Youbet.com TotalAccess™, an Oregon-based hub for the acceptance and placement of wagers. More information on Youbet can be found at www.Youbet.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Statements containing expressions such as “may,” “will,” “project,” “might,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” potential,” “continue” or “pursue,” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology used in Youbet’s press releases and in its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Youbet’s actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this press release. Although Youbet believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from these expectations. From time to time, these risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors include, without limitation, the following: the timely development and market acceptance of new products and technologies; our ability to secure financing on terms acceptable to us; our ability to control operating expenses; increased competition in the advance deposit wagering business; a decline in the public acceptance of wagering; wagering ceasing to be approved in jurisdictions where Youbet currently operates; the limitation, conditioning or suspension of any of Youbet’s licenses; increases in or new taxes imposed on wagering revenues; loss or retirement of key executives; and a decline in the general economy. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Youbet does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 


 

Youbet.com, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2004   2003
    (Unaudited)   (Audited)
ASSETS:
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 11,390,402     $ 8,273,926  
Restricted Cash, current (Note 2)
    3,567,140       3,518,016  
Receivables (Note 3)
    108,834       140,657  
Interest and Other Receivables (Note 3)
    1,741,079       1,270,759  
Prepaid Expenses
    774,005       884,409  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Current Assets
  $ 17,581,460     $ 14,087,767  
Long Term Prepaids
    5,000        
Property and Equipment, net
    2,560,873       2,731,922  
Licensing Rights, net of amortization (Note 4)
          1,407,447  
Deferred Lease Costs
    27,236       29,331  
Deposits (Note 6)
    96,820       595,650  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 20,271,389     $ 18,852,117  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts Payable — Trade
  $ 673,979     $ 439,559  
Fees and Commissions Payable to Related Party (Note 4)
    4,219,494       3,426,076  
Accounts Payable — Track Related (Note 5)
    1,600,709       2,539,534  
Accrued Expenses
    861,582       1,756,918  
Customer Deposits
    2,978,369       2,356,004  
Accrued Compensation and Related Items
    610,231       524,197  
Deferred Revenues
    85,631       79,519  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
  $ 11,029,995     $ 11,121,807  
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares, none outstanding
           
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares 30,641,230 and 28,377,443 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively
  $ 30,641     $ 28,377  
Treasury Stock (623,683 shares at cost)
    (1,828,709 )     (1,828,709 )
Additional Paid In Capital
    102,831,182       101,377,238  
Accumulated Deficit
    (91,791,720 )     (91,846,596 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    9,241,394       7,730,310  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 20,271,389     $ 18,852,117  
 
   
 
     
 
 

 


 

Youbet.com, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,
    2004   2003
Revenues (Notes 4 and 5)
               
Commissions
  $ 16,055,799     $ 13,540,751  
Subscription and Transaction Fees
    200,652       157,785  
Race Information
    101,630       83,140  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Revenues
  $ 16,358,081     $ 13,781,676  
Operating Expenses:
               
Track Fees
    6,822,613       6,266,436  
Licensing Fees — Related Party (Note 4)
    3,852,035       2,864,017  
Network Operations
    538,215       437,551  
Research and Development
    440,361       434,193  
Sales and Marketing
    969,020       755,727  
General and Administrative
    2,992,804       2,417,718  
Depreciation and Amortization
    714,317       1,499,382  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Operating Expenses
  $ 16,329,365     $ 14,675,024  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Profit (Loss) From Operations
  $ 28,716     $ (893,348 )
Other Income (Expense):
               
Interest Income
    29,375       11,719  
Interest Expense
    (1,071 )     (120,568 )
Other Income
    (17,254 )     19,652  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Other Income (Expense)
  $ 11,050     $ (89,197 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Profit (Loss)
  $ 39,766     $ (982,545 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per share — basic
  $ 0.00     $ (0.04 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per share — diluted
  $ 0.00     $ (0.04 )
 
   
 
     
 
 

 


 

Youbet.com, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,
    2004   2003
Revenues (Notes 4 and 5)
               
Commissions
  $ 30,315,836     $ 24,385,970  
Subscription and Transaction Fees
    382,974       242,659  
Race Information
    186,376       159,454  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Revenues
  $ 30,885,186     $ 24,788,083  
Operating Expenses:
               
Track Fees
    13,955,704       11,888,576  
Licensing Fees — Related Party (Note 4)
    5,825,071       4,454,195  
Network Operations
    1,059,825       816,203  
Research and Development
    856,202       827,480  
Sales and Marketing
    1,638,112       1,137,161  
General and Administrative
    5,704,110       4,593,435  
Depreciation and Amortization
    1,839,749       2,883,642  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Operating Expenses
  $ 30,878,773     $ 26,600,692  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Profit (Loss) From Operations
  $ 6,413     $ (1,812,609 )
Other Income (Expense):
               
Interest Income
    63,364       20,505  
Interest Expense
    (2,506 )     (515,718 )
Other Income
    (12,395 )     77,597  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Other Income (Expense)
  $ 48,463     $ (417,616 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Profit (Loss)
  $ 54,876     $ (2,230,225 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per share — basic
  $ 0.00     $ (0.09 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per share — diluted
  $ 0.00     $ (0.09 )
 
   
 
     
 
 

 


 

Youbet.com, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,
    2004   2003
Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents
               
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 54,876     $ (2,230,225 )
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities:
               
Depreciation and Amortization
    1,839,749       2,883,642  
Non-Cash Interest Expense
          423,416  
Stock-Based Compensation
    65,006       183,393  
Loss on Sale of Property and Equipment
    7,891        
Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
               
Restricted Cash — Players TrustSM
    (308,712 )     (915,415 )
Receivables
    31,823       (106,696 )
Interest and Other Receivables
    (470,320 )     2,401  
Prepaid Expenses — Current
    110,404       (259,213 )
Prepaid Expenses — Long Term
    (5,000 )      
Deposits
    500,926       2,095  
Account Payable — Trade
    234,420       (11,434 )
Fees Payable — Related Parties
    793,418       883,605  
Accounts Payable — Track Related
    (938,825 )     (1,957,107 )
Accrued Expenses
    (479,454 )     1,067  
Customer Deposits
    622,365       1,145,525  
Accrued Compensation and Related Items
    86,034       (92,266 )
Deferred Revenues
    6,112       39,159  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
    2,150,713       (8,053 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
Restricted Cash — Other
    259,588       285,061  
Purchases of Property and Equipment
    (269,144 )     (248,615 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
    (9,556 )     36,446  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options and Warrants
    975,319       1,439,179  
Proceeds from Notes Payable
          2,000,000  
Payments of Notes Payable
          (750,000 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Financing Activities
    975,319       2,689,179  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    3,116,476       2,717,572  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the Beginning of the Period
    8,273,926       4,559,897  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Period
  $ 11,390,402     $ 7,277,469  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Cash Paid for Interest
  $ 2,506     $ 117,903  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
Issuance of Warrants for $2 million note
  $     $ 518,223  
Stock Issuance for Surrender of TVG’s Additional Warrant (Note 9)
    3,640,000        
Stock Issuance for TVG Legal Expense Reimbursement (Note 9)
    415,882        

 


 

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA

                 
    Quarter Ended June 30,
    2004   2003
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 39,766     $ (982,545 )
Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 714,317     $ 1,499,382  
Other (income) and expense
  $ (11,050 )   $ 89,197  
 
   
 
     
 
 
EBITDA (a)
  $ 743,033     $ 606,034  
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,
    2004   2003
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 54,876     $ (2,230,225 )
Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 1,839,749     $ 2,883,642  
Other (income) and expense
  $ (56,355 )   $ 417,616  
 
   
 
     
 
 
EBITDA (a)
  $ 1,838,270     $ 1,071,033  

(a) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure as defined by SEC Regulation G. We consider EBITDA an important measure of our financial performance and of our ability to generate cash flows to measure operating performance, fund capital expenditures and fund other corporate investing and financing activities. EBITDA eliminates the non-cash effect of tangible asset depreciation and intangible asset amortization, as well as any non-cash gains or charges. EBITDA should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities.