Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

x

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2008

 

OR

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                  to                 

 

Commission File No. 0-24993

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

77-0639000

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

5700 Wilshire Boulevard

 

 

Suite 350

 

 

Los Angeles, California

 

90036

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(323) 330-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x

 

No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes o   No x

 

As of November 5, 2008 there were 20,491,993 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page of

 

 

 

 

 

Form 10-Q

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2008 (unaudited) and December 30, 2007

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

30

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

September 28, 2008

 

December 30, 2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except par value data)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

5,227

 

$

3,852

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

3,883

 

22,971

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $7 and $18

 

967

 

2,758

 

Deferred television costs

 

1,412

 

2,198

 

Other

 

1,318

 

830

 

 

 

12,807

 

32,609

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

11,248

 

4,200

 

Property and equipment, net

 

1,555

 

1,462

 

Investment in unconsolidated investee

 

1,000

 

2,923

 

Other

 

537

 

503

 

 

 

$

27,147

 

$

41,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

392

 

$

736

 

Accrued payroll and related

 

501

 

988

 

Other accrued expenses

 

1,254

 

1,308

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,010

 

2,870

 

 

 

3,157

 

5,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 20,000 shares; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 20,492 shares issued and outstanding

 

20

 

20

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

44,429

 

43,833

 

Deficit

 

(19,203

)

(8,072

)

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

 

(1,256

)

14

 

 

 

23,990

 

35,795

 

 

 

$

27,147

 

$

41,697

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September
28, 2008

 

September
30, 2007

 

September
28, 2008

 

September
30, 2007

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

900

 

$

1,424

 

$

5,400

 

$

8,132

 

International television

 

286

 

490

 

1,459

 

1,709

 

Product licensing

 

654

 

759

 

1,914

 

2,618

 

 

 

1,840

 

2,673

 

8,773

 

12,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Online gaming

 

150

 

119

 

688

 

929

 

Event hosting and sponsorship fees

 

676

 

1,575

 

3,023

 

3,058

 

Other

 

166

 

38

 

382

 

171

 

 

 

2,832

 

4,405

 

12,866

 

16,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

997

 

1,355

 

6,452

 

6,594

 

Gross profit

 

1,835

 

3,050

 

6,414

 

10,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

4,534

 

5,709

 

16,437

 

16,942

 

Asset impairment and abandonment charges

 

1,923

 

 

1,923

 

2,270

 

Loss from operations

 

(4,622

)

(2,659

)

(11,946

)

(9,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain on sale of investment

 

 

 

11

 

 

Interest

 

203

 

448

 

804

 

1,359

 

Loss before income taxes

 

(4,419

)

(2,211

)

(11,131

)

(7,830

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

(4,419

)

(2,211

)

(11,131

)

(7,830

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

 

(225

)

24

 

(1,270

)

30

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(4,644

)

$

(2,187

)

$

(12,401

)

$

(7,800

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted

 

$

(0.21

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.54

)

$

(0.38

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

20,603

 

20,603

 

20,603

 

20,603

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Nine Months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Dollars

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Gain (Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 30, 2007

 

20,492

 

$

20

 

$

43,833

 

$

(8,072

)

$

14

 

$

35,795

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

596

 

 

 

596

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

(1,270

)

(1,270

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(11,131

)

 

(11,131

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at September 28, 2008

 

20,492

 

$

20

 

$

44,429

 

$

(19,203

)

$

(1,256

)

$

23,990

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at January 1, 2007

 

20,378

 

$

20

 

$

41,719

 

$

1,561

 

$

(49

)

$

43,251

 

Common stock issued

 

114

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

1,813

 

 

 

1,813

 

Other comprehensive gain

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

30

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

(7,830

)

 

(7,830

)

Balances at September 30, 2007

 

20,492

 

$

20

 

$

43,533

 

$

(6,269

)

$

(19

)

$

37,265

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 28, 2008

 

September 30, 2007

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(11,131

)

$

(7,830

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

552

 

540

 

Share-based compensation

 

596

 

1,813

 

Asset impairment and abandonment charges

 

1,923

 

2,270

 

Increase in operating (assets) and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,791

 

333

 

Income taxes

 

 

(394

)

Deferred television costs

 

786

 

57

 

Other current assets

 

(485

)

(601

)

Accounts payable

 

(344

)

(27

)

Accrued expenses

 

(541

)

52

 

Deferred revenue

 

(1,860

)

(282

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(8,713

)

(4,069

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(645

)

(754

)

Purchases of marketable securities

 

(11,187

)

(45,336

)

Sales/redemptions of marketable securities

 

21,957

 

46,178

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

10,125

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

 

(37

)

106

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

1

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(37

)

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,375

 

(3,874

)

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

3,852

 

8,360

 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

$

5,227

 

$

4,486

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to interim financial information. Accordingly, certain information normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America has been condensed or omitted.  For further information, please refer to the annual audited financial statements of the Company, and the related notes, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007, previously filed with the SEC, from which the information as of that date is derived.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for the current interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

In the first quarter of 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements for all financial assets and liabilities and for all non-financial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). SFAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. In the first quarter of 2008, the Company also adopted SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – including an amendment of FAS 115. SFAS 159 allows entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value in situations when they are not required to be measured at fair value. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13 and FSP 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157. FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to remove certain leasing transactions from its scope, and was effective upon initial adoption of SFAS 157. FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements when it is applied to non-financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-3 Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active. FSP 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active, and addresses application issues such as the use of internal assumptions when relevant observable data does not exist, the use of observable market information when the market is not active and the use of market quotes when assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data. FSP 157-3 is effective for all periods presented in accordance with SFAS 157. The adoption of FSP 157-3 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (Revised 2007), Business Combinations. SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations. SFAS 141R is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an Amendment of ARB No. 51 which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling or minority interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for the fiscal year 2009. Among the effects of SFAS 160 will be the future exclusion from net income (loss) of the noncontrolling or minority interest therein and the relocation of such noncontrolling or minority interest to the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. The Company is evaluating other effects, if any, that SFAS 160 will have on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133. SFAS 161 expands the disclosure requirements in SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, regarding derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS 161 will be effective for fiscal year 2009. The Company does not currently expect that SFAS 161 will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

2. LOSS PER SHARE

 

Basic loss per common share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Shares for certain stock options granted to Company employees are included in the computation after the options have vested when the shares are issuable for minimal cash consideration in relation to the fair value of the options. Diluted earnings per common share is ordinarily calculated by adjusting weighted-average outstanding shares, assuming the conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options and awards (common stock equivalents). However, common stock equivalents are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for loss periods because the effect is anti-dilutive.

 

3. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Share-based compensation expense was ($21,000) and $596,000 for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008, respectively, and $554,000 and $1,813,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. Forfeitures of unvested stock options in the three months ended September 28, 2008 exceeded estimates at the time of grant resulting in a recovery of previously recognized unvested share-based compensation expense.

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value and compensation cost associated with employee incentive stock options which requires the consideration of historical employee exercise behavior data and the use of a number of assumptions including volatility of the Company’s stock price, the weighted-average risk-free interest rate, and the weighted-average expected life of the options.

 

The following values represent the average per grant assumptions used to value options granted during the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. There have been no significant changes to the assumptions thus far in 2008 and none are expected during the remainder of 2008.

 

Key valuation assumptions

 

Three months ended 
September 28, 2008

 

Three months ended 
September 30, 2007

 

Nine months ended
September 28, 2008

 

Nine months ended
September 30, 2007

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

No grants

 

4.07

%

3.38

%

4.46

%

Expected term

 

No grants

 

6 years

 

6 years

 

6 years

 

Expected dividend yield

 

No grants

 

0

%

0

%

0

%

Expected volatility

 

No grants

 

69.89

%

69.95

%

71.98

%

Forfeiture rate

 

20.58

%

16.71

%

20.58

%

16.71

%

Weighted-average fair value

 

No grants

 

$

2.29

 

$

0.82

 

$

2.87

 

 


·                  Risk-free interest rate — For periods within the expected term of the share option, risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and with maturities consistent with the expected term of the options.

·                  Expected term — The Company calculated expected term for each grant using the “Simplified Method” in accordance with SAB 107 and 110.

·                  Expected dividend yield — As the Company does not pay dividends, the dividend rate variable in the Black-Scholes model is zero.

·                  Expected volatility — Expected volatility was based on historical daily stock prices of the Company’s stock since it began trading in August 2004.

·                  Forfeiture rate — As share-based compensation expense recognized is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, expense for grants beginning upon adoption of SFAS 123R, Share-Based Payment-Revised 2004 are reduced for estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company uses historical data to estimate future forfeitures, and reviews the estimates quarterly.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity through the nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Common Shares

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

Available

 

Weighted-avg.

 

 

 

outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

for grant

 

exercise price

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

 

2,920,857

 

1,322,206

 

267,150

 

$

5.66

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(83,600

)

 

83,600

 

4.33

 

Balance at March 30, 2008

 

2,837,257

 

1,412,373

 

350,750

 

5.70

 

Granted

 

52,000

 

 

(52,000

)

1.26

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(33,950

)

 

33,950

 

4.66

 

Balance at June 29, 2008

 

2,855,307

 

1,466,040

 

332,700

 

5.63

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(425,536

)

 

425,536

 

4.37

 

Balance at September 28, 2008

 

2,429,771

 

1,491,706

 

758,236

 

$

5.85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2007

 

2,318,166

 

1,050,200

 

983,501

 

$

6.76

 

Granted

 

287,000

 

 

(287,000

)

4.80

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(90,466

)

 

90,466

 

8.49

 

Balance at April 1, 2007

 

2,514,700

 

1,010,533

 

786,967

 

6.47

 

Granted

 

182,000

 

 

(182,000

)

4.53

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(85,667

)

 

85,667

 

5.25

 

Exercised

 

(113,660

)

 

 

0.0049

 

Balance at July 1, 2007

 

2,497,373

 

912,139

 

690,634

 

6.67

 

Granted

 

220,000

 

 

(220,000

)

3.50

 

Forfeited /cancelled/expired

 

(202,599

)

 

202,599

 

7.26

 

Balance at September 30, 2007

 

2,514,774

 

1,307,106

 

673,233

 

$

6.34

 

 

The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of September 28, 2008:

 

 

 

Options outstanding

 

Options exercisable

 

Range of
exercise prices

 

Number
outstanding

 

Weighted-avg.
remaining
contractual
life

 

Weighted-avg.
exercise
price

 

Aggregate
intrinsic
value

 

Number
exercisable

 

Weighted-avg.
exercise
price

 

Aggregate
intrinsic
value

 

$

0.0049

 

111,340

 

3.41

 

$

0.0049

 

$

97,434

 

111,340

 

$

0.0049

 

$

97,434

 

$

1.26 — 4.80

 

906,165

 

8.80

 

3.21

 

 

171,400

 

4.48

 

 

$

5.18 — 9.92

 

1,289,266

 

6.21

 

7.58

 

 

1,117,966

 

7.83

 

 

$

11.95 — 14.51

 

117,000

 

6.86

 

12.23

 

 

85,000

 

12.35

 

 

$

15.05 — 19.50

 

6,000

 

6.81

 

15.79

 

 

6,000

 

15.79

 

 

 

 

2,429,771

 

7.08

 

$

5.85

 

$

97,434

 

1,491,706

 

$

7.15

 

$

97,434

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $0.88 on September 26, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had they exercised their options as of that date. As of September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, the total number of “in-the-money” options exercisable was 111,340.  No options were exercised during the three and nine months ended September 28, 2008. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $0.5 million.

 

As of September 28, 2008, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options is $1.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 28 months on a weighted-average basis.

 

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4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

On December 31, 2007 (the first day of fiscal year 2008), the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 in the first quarter of 2008 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Investments in marketable securities that are classified as available for sale are the only assets or liabilities that the Company is required to measure at their estimated fair value on a recurring basis. The estimated fair value is determined using inputs from among the three levels of the fair value hierarchy set forth in SFAS 157 as follows:

 

Level 1 inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, which prices are available at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 inputs – Include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

 

Level 3 inputs – Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Management develops these inputs based on the best information available, including internally-developed data.

 

In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. None of the Company’s financial instruments are measured based on Level 2 inputs.

 

As of September 28, 2008, the Company’s financial assets carried at fair value are summarized below (in thousands):

 

Description

 

Level 1

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Municipal bonds (*)

 

$

801

 

$

 

$

801

 

Auction rate securities (*)

 

 

10,159

 

10,159

 

Corporate preferred securities (*)

 

3,691

 

 

3,691

 

Certificates of deposit (*)

 

480

 

 

480

 

Total assets at estimated fair value (**)

 

$

4,972

 

$

10,159

 

$

15,131

 

 


(*)           See Note 5. Investments in Marketable Securities.

 

(**)                        The Company chose not to elect the fair value option as offered by SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FAS 115, for its financial assets and liabilities that had not been previously carried at fair value. Therefore, material financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value are still reported at carrying values.

 

For financial assets that utilize Level 1 inputs, the Company utilizes direct observable price quotes in active markets for identical assets. Due to the lack of observable market quotes on the Company’s auction rate securities (“ARS”) portfolio, the Company utilizes valuation models that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs including those that are based on management’s estimates of expected cash flow streams and collateral values, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity.  The valuation of the Company’s ARS portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  Factors that may impact the estimated fair value include changes to credit ratings of ARS as well as to the assets collateralizing the securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, and evolving market conditions affecting the liquidity of ARS.

 

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The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s ARS, which as discussed above, are measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs (in thousands):

 

Beginning balance - December 30, 2007

 

$

7,825

 

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive loss (*)

 

(1,241

)

Purchases, net of issuances and settlements

 

3,575

 

Ending balance - September 28, 2008 (unaudited)

 

$

10,159

 

 


(*)                                The Company considers the decline in the estimated fair value of ARS to be temporary. Accordingly, the related unrealized loss is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) in stockholders’ equity as of September 28, 2008.

 

5. INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES

 

The Company’s investment portfolio includes investments in ARS. The types of ARS that the Company owns are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and are primarily AAA or Aaa rated through the date of this filing. However, as a result of liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets in the first quarter of 2008, auctions for ARS failed and the Company’s ARS are classified as long-term investments in marketable securities as of September 28, 2008.

 

As of September 28, 2008 and December 30, 2007, investments in marketable securities with original maturities beyond three months consist of the following (in thousands):

 

September 28, 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)

 

Fair Value

 

Maturity less than 1 year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate preferred securities

 

$

3,707

 

$

(16

)

$

3,691

 

Certificates of deposit

 

192

 

 

192

 

 

 

$

3,899

 

$

(16

)

$

3,883

 

Maturity 1 to 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

$

800

 

$

1

 

$

801

 

Auction rate securities

 

11,400

 

(1,241

)

10,159

 

Certificates of deposit

 

288

 

 

288

 

 

 

$

12,488

 

$

(1,240

)

$

11,248

 

 

December 30, 2007

 

 

 

Cost

 

Unrealized
Gains (Losses)

 

Fair Value

 

Maturity less than 1 year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US treasury and agency securities

 

$

1,000

 

$

 

$

1,000

 

Short-term municipal bonds

 

1,000

 

1

 

1,001

 

Auction rate securities

 

7,825

 

 

7,825

 

Corporate preferred securities

 

12,464

 

9

 

12,473

 

Certificates of deposit

 

672

 

 

672

 

 

 

$

22,961

 

$

10

 

$

22,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity 1 to 5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Municipal bonds

 

$

1,827

 

$

(3

)

$

1,824

 

Corporate preferred securities

 

1,985

 

7

 

1,992

 

Certificates of deposit

 

384

 

 

384

 

 

 

$

4,196

 

$

4

 

$

4,200

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities previously reported as other comprehensive income that were realized and included in the statements of loss and comprehensive loss were not material during the nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007.

 

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The brokers that hold the Company’s ARS have entered into agreements with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to either repurchase ARS or to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief for holders of ARS by the end of 2009. The Company was notified by one broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS that the Company could expect to sell the ARS to that broker during the period June 30, 2010 to July 2, 2012. The Company was notified by another broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS that the Company did not qualify for a November 5, 2008 repurchase of the ARS held by that broker due to the amount of the Company’s total investments held by them, and the Company is instead covered by the broker’s agreement with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief for ARS by the end of 2009. The broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS has offered to provide a loan, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 75% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker. The Company has entered into an agreement with the broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS to provide a line of credit, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 50% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker. No amounts have been borrowed under that line of credit.

 

6. ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND ABANDONMENT CHARGES

 

The Company performed an impairment analysis of its investment in Cecure Gaming in the third quarter of 2008 due to difficulties Cecure Gaming is having in obtaining working capital to finance their business development over the next several years. Cecure Gaming also recently had a significant reduction in staffing. This investment was measured at implied fair value resulting in an other-than-temporary impairment charge. The implied fair value measurement was calculated using financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies and was measured using Level 3 inputs, as the Company used unobservable inputs and significant management judgment to value this investment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of this investment. The Company recorded a $1,923,000 impairment charge in the third quarter of 2008 related to this investment.

 

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company wrote off $2,270,000 of online gaming assets as a result of ceasing the development of a stand-alone online gaming business and joining a third-party online gaming network.

 

7. INCOME TAXES

 

Due to actual and forecasted net losses, there was no income tax provision for the three and nines month ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007. Based on the Company’s relatively limited and volatile earnings history, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance for the net deferred tax assets as management currently believes it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future.

 

8. CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is currently involved in various inquiries, administrative proceedings and litigation relating to other matters arising in the normal course of the Company’s business. Management is unable to estimate the minimum loss to be incurred, if any, as a result of the final outcome of these matters but believes they are not likely to have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s future financial position or results of operations; accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded in connection therewith.

 

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9. SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The operating segments reported below are the segments of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

 

Three months ended September 28, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

WPT

 

WPT Online

 

WPT Global

 

WPT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studios

 

Gaming

 

Non-gaming

 

Marketing

 

China

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

900

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

900

 

International television

 

286

 

 

 

 

 

 

286

 

Product licensing

 

 

 

 

654

 

 

 

654

 

Online gaming

 

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

150

 

Event hosting and sponsorship

 

593

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

676

 

Other

 

 

 

140

 

26

 

 

 

166

 

 

 

1,779

 

150

 

140

 

763

 

 

 

2,832

 

Cost of revenues

 

667

 

172

 

72

 

86

 

 

 

997

 

Gross profit

 

1,112

 

(22

)

68

 

677

 

 

 

1,835

 

Total assets

 

2,076

 

256

 

800

 

670

 

392

 

22,953

 

27,147

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

61

 

 

51

 

 

8

 

76

 

196

 

 

Revenues attributed to domestic and foreign operations were $2.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

Three months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

WPT

 

WPT Online

 

WPT Global

 

WPT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studios

 

Gaming

 

Non-gaming

 

Marketing

 

China

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

1,424

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,424

 

International television

 

490

 

 

 

 

 

 

490

 

Product licensing

 

 

 

 

759

 

 

 

759

 

Online gaming

 

 

119

 

 

 

 

 

119

 

Event hosting and sponsorship

 

249

 

 

 

1,326

 

 

 

1,575

 

Other

 

 

 

19

 

19

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

2,163

 

119

 

19

 

2,104

 

 

 

4,405

 

Cost of revenues

 

876

 

134

 

12

 

333

 

 

 

1,355

 

Gross profit

 

1,287

 

(15

)

7

 

1,771

 

 

 

3,050

 

Total assets

 

2,848

 

433

 

88

 

1,335

 

137

 

39,905

 

44,746

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

78

 

13

 

 

 

 

88

 

179

 

 

Revenues attributed to domestic and foreign operations were $3.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

 

Nine months ended September 28, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

WPT

 

WPT Online

 

WPT Global

 

WPT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studios

 

Gaming

 

Non-gaming

 

Marketing

 

China

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

5,400

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,400

 

International television

 

1,459

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,459

 

Product licensing

 

 

 

 

1,914

 

 

 

1,914

 

Online gaming

 

 

688

 

 

 

 

 

688

 

Event hosting and sponsorship

 

2,641

 

 

 

382

 

 

 

3,023

 

Other

 

7

 

 

243

 

132

 

 

 

382

 

 

 

9,507

 

688

 

243

 

2,428

 

 

 

12,866

 

Cost of revenues

 

5,511

 

556

 

146

 

239

 

 

 

6,452

 

Gross profit

 

3,996

 

132

 

97

 

2,189

 

 

 

6,414

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

190

 

 

103

 

 

25

 

234

 

552

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Revenues attributed to domestic and foreign operations were $9.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

WPT

 

WPT Online

 

WPT Global

 

WPT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studios

 

Gaming

 

Non-gaming

 

Marketing

 

China

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

8,132

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

8,132

 

International television

 

1,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,709

 

Product licensing

 

 

 

 

2,618

 

 

 

2,618

 

Online gaming

 

 

929

 

 

 

 

 

929

 

Event hosting and sponsorship

 

950

 

 

 

2,108

 

 

 

3,058

 

Other

 

19

 

 

95

 

57

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

10,810

 

929

 

95

 

4,783

 

 

 

16,617

 

Cost of revenues

 

5,156

 

596

 

58

 

784

 

 

 

6,594

 

Gross profit

 

5,654

 

333

 

37

 

3,999

 

 

 

10,023

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

245

 

40

 

 

 

 

255

 

540

 

 

Revenues attributed to domestic and foreign operations were $13.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively.

 

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (“Lakes”) declared a stock dividend on October 1, 2008 of all of the Company shares held by Lakes. The record date for the dividend to Lakes’ stockholders was October 24, 2008 and the date of distribution of the shares is November 21, 2008. Lakes owns 12,480,000 shares, or approximately 61 percent, of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

On October 15, 2008, the Company notified CryptoLogic Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary WagerLogic Limited (collectively “CryptoLogic”) of the termination of its software license and support agreement with CryptoLogic dated August 24, 2007, as amended. The Company will no longer operate the WPT-branded online gaming website on the CryptoLogic network after November 14, 2008.  The Company will continue to operate two international corporate websites that provide links to the WPT-branded online gaming website.

 

On November 4, 2008, the Company entered into a $3,250,000 domestic sponsorship arrangement with Pocket Kings for FullTiltPoker.net to sponsor Season Seven of the World Poker Tour television series.

 

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ITEM 2.                 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Business Overview

 

We create internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. Our World Poker Tour®, or WPT television series, based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments, currently airs on the Game Show Network and the Travel Channel in the United States, and has been licensed for broadcast globally. In January 2008, we launched ClubWPT.com, an innovative subscription-based online poker club targeted to the estimated 60 million poker players in the United States, which is currently offered in 38 states. We currently offer a real-money online gaming website, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. We recently announced that this website will be shut down in November 2008. We also license our brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games and giftware and are engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. In addition, we have operations in mainland China, pursuant to our agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center, where we are developing and marketing online and mobile games supporting the WPT China National Traktor Poker TourTM.

 

We have four business segments:

 

WPT Studios, our multi-media entertainment division, generates revenue through the domestic and international licensing of television broadcasts, international television sponsorship revenue and casino host fees. Since our inception, the WPT Studios division has been responsible for 73% of our total revenue. We licensed Seasons One through Five of the WPT television series to The Travel Channel, L.L.C. (“TRV” or “Travel Channel”) for telecast in the United States under an exclusive license agreement (the “TRV Agreement”). Prior to 2007, we also licensed Season One of the Professional Poker Tour (“PPT”) television series to TRV. On April 2, 2007, we entered into an agreement (the “GSN Agreement”) with Game Show Network, LLC (“GSN”), pursuant to which GSN agreed to license Season Six of the WPT for a $300,000 license fee per episode.  For Season Five, we received an average of $477,000 per episode under the TRV agreement. We also have license and sponsor agreements for the distribution of our WPT and PPT episodes into international territories for which we receive license and sponsor fees. We also collect annual host fees from the member casinos that host World Poker Tour events.

 

Since our inception, domestic television distribution fees from the TRV Agreement, a separate agreement with TRV relating to the PPT series and the GSN Agreement have been responsible for 54% of our total revenue. For each season covered by the TRV Agreement and related options, TRV has exclusive rights to exhibit the episodes in that season an unlimited number of times on its television network in the U.S. for four years, or three years in the case of Season One of the WPT.

 

Under both the TRV and GSN Agreements, TRV and GSN paid fixed license fees for each episode we produced, which were payable at various times during the pre-production, production and post-production process and revenues were not recognized until receipt and acceptance of the completed episode was confirmed. Television production costs related to WPT episodes are generally capitalized and charged to cost of revenues as the related revenues are recognized. Therefore, the timing and number of episodes involved in the various seasons of the series affect the timing of the revenues and expenses of the WPT Studios business.

 

On June 7, 2008, GSN did not exercise its option to broadcast Season Seven of the WPT series. On July 17, 2008, we announced a broadcast license agreement with Fox Sports Network (“FSN”), pursuant to which FSN will broadcast Season Seven of the WPT television series.  FSN received exclusive rights to air 26 one-hour WPT episodes in the United States across its national sports cable network. Unlike past seasons, FSN’s exclusivity only applies to the episodes it produces for the network.  Consequently, we are free to produce other Season Seven episodes on other networks if another deal arises.  Unlike our historical broadcast license agreements with Travel Channel and GSN, we will not receive per-episode license fees from FSN. However, similar to many sports leagues and entertainment properties, we have been afforded certain integration and advertising rights in and around the program, which will allow us to seek sponsorship revenues for Season Seven of the WPT, domestically and internationally. Accordingly, we are currently in discussions with several potential sponsors.

 

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From 2004 until December 2006, we licensed our shows internationally through an exclusive agreement with Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc. In December 2006, we notified Alfred Haber that they would no longer be the international distributor for our shows, and we began utilizing our internal staff and resources to distribute our shows into the international marketplace. During 2007, we came to an arrangement with Alfred Haber whereby they provide non-exclusive assistance on international licensing matters on a case-by-case basis, with substantially the same terms as our previous relationship with them.

 

As international television license fees continue to decline, we are pursuing international sponsorship revenues.   In December 2006, we signed a multi-year international sponsorship agreement with PartyGaming Plc, owner of PartyPoker.com, pursuant to which they sponsor certain international television broadcasts of the WPT and PPT. PartyGaming pays us fixed fees for entering into broadcast sponsorship arrangements that meet certain requirements, with maximum payment levels for each of the covered seasons of each series. For the nine months ended September 28, 2008 and September 30, 2007, we recognized revenues of $1.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, from PartyGaming.  We expect to recognize additional international sponsorship revenues from PartyGaming during the fourth quarter of 2008 related to the distribution of Seasons Four and Six of the WPT.

 

WPT Online includes the international real money gaming website linked to WorldPokerTour.com and content website at WorldPokerTour.com, which includes poker tournament coverage and live updates thereof, statistics, poker player information, an online merchandise store, and ClubWPT.com which we launched in January 2008.

 

In 2006, we decided to commission the development of our own software for our online poker room. We licensed a software platform from CyberArts Licensing, LLC, and hired approximately thirty employees in Israel to develop the software and support infrastructure. However, the development of the CyberArts-based site ceased on April 23, 2007, when we entered into a three year software supply and support agreement with CryptoLogic Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary WagerLogic Limited (collectively “CryptoLogic”). As a result of the decision to utilize CryptoLogic and move away from the internally-developed online gaming platform based on CyberArts software, we wrote off $2.3 million of property and equipment and related capitalized costs during the second quarter of 2007. In addition to the write-off of assets, we curtailed our Israel operations and closed one of our two offices there during the second quarter of 2007, and in the fourth quarter of 2007 we closed the remaining office in Israel.

 

CryptoLogic operates an online gaming site for us featuring a poker room and casino games utilizing its proprietary software, in exchange for 20% of the net gaming revenues generated from the site. We are also a member in a centralized online gaming network (the “Network”) with several other licensees of CryptoLogic, pursuant to which players are able to play on our branded gaming site on the Network.

 

In June 2007, CryptoLogic delivered the poker software to us and the online poker room became operational on June 28, 2007. On July 26, 2007, CryptoLogic delivered ten casino games and effective March 5, 2008, we executed an amendment to the Agreement, exercising our option for a full suite of casino games with an annual minimum guarantee payable to CryptoLogic from us of $750,000. We also exercised our option to have CryptoLogic develop two additional poker language rooms in Spanish and German for $100,000.

 

On October 15, 2008, we notified CryptoLogic of our intent to terminate our agreements with them. Effective November 14, 2008, we will no longer operate the WPT-branded online gaming website on the CryptoLogic Network.  We paid CryptoLogic $350,000 in September 2008 for the option to terminate our agreements with them and we will have no payment obligations to CryptoLogic after November 14, 2008.  The Company will continue to operate two international corporate websites that provide links to the WPT-branded online gaming website.

 

The non-gaming website linked to WorldPokerTour.com includes poker tournament coverage and live updates thereof, statistics, poker player information, an online merchandise store and ClubWPT.com.  ClubWPT.com offers a monthly subscription package for $19.95 per month, as well as discounted quarterly and annual options. In return, members receive exclusive club benefits and points which make them eligible to enter into over 5,000 live poker and elimination blackjack tournaments, sit-n-go poker tournaments and poker ring games for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes each month, which could include a $10,000 seat into a WPT televised main event. Accordingly, non-subscribers who do not wish to purchase the other club benefits are offered a free or alternative means of entry.

 

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We use a third party service provider, Centaurus Games, LLC (“Centaurus”), to operate our subscription-based online service for ClubWPT.com, which includes supporting the software, technical operations and customer service. In return for Centaurus’ services, Centaurus earns a percentage of net revenues which is calculated as subscriber fees less certain costs including chargebacks, prize pool, Club content, financial charges and compliance fees. Centaurus acquired the operating assets of Ultimate Blackjack Tour, LLC in the third quarter of 2008.

 

On July 31, 2008, we announced an additional agreement with FSN to jointly create a new poker program focused on building awareness and driving traffic to our online subscription website, ClubWPT.com. The parties have agreed to the production and distribution of an initial run of 13 one-hour television programs (“the Initial Programming”). The ClubWPT show debuted on FSN on October 5, 2008.  Subsequent to the delivery of the Initial Programming, FSN will have an option to broadcast future episodes and the number of future episodes to be broadcast will depend upon the number of shows we deliver, up to forty hours per year. FSN may also terminate the relationship upon thirty days written notice.

 

We are obligated to: 1) manage all aspects of ClubWPT.com including running all tournaments and identifying winners that will participate in the television program, 2) ensure that television participants are brought to the television studio and are set up to play in the event, and 3) pay FSN a percentage of net profits and pay for the costs of television production (production costs of the initial 13 programs are recoupable against net profits). In addition to providing the distribution channel, FSN is obligated to promote ClubWPT.com through in-show title sponsorship, in-show billboards, audio mentions, website logos on poker tables, commercial inventory and website presence on the main page of FSN’s website, FoxSports.com.

 

WPT Global Marketing includes branded consumer products, sponsorship and partnerships, and event management. Branded consumer products generate revenue principally through royalties from the licensing of our brand to companies seeking to use the World Poker Tour brand and logo in the retail sales of their consumer products.

 

Domestic sponsorship and event management generate revenue through corporate sponsorship and management of televised and live events. During 2007, we signed a three-year agreement with Blue Diamond Almonds to sponsor Seasons Six, Seven and Eight of the WPT. In return for online and event presence, Blue Diamond pays $150,000 per season. We also signed an agreement with Southwest Airlines to be the official airline of the World Poker Tour for Season Six.

 

In February 2006, we launched an events division offering help in designing special programs for corporations, meeting planners and charitable organizations for entertainment purposes only.

 

WPT China. On August 6, 2007, we entered into a Cooperation Agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Center (the “CLSAC”), a Chinese government-sanctioned body with authority over certain leisure sports, including the popular Chinese national card game “Traktor Poker” or “Tuo La Ji.” We have the right to brand and exploit the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour during the five-year term of the Cooperation Agreement. Additionally, we are afforded certain marketing and sponsorship rights in conjunction with the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour, including the right to sanction and derive revenue from third-party branding at tour events, the right to exploit films and other content generated in conjunction with the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour in all media and the right to obtain online and mobile subscription revenues. Furthermore, the CLSAC agreed to organize no less than 15 WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour events each year during the term, to secure placement of the championship finals on a major Chinese television station, and to promote the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour. In exchange, we pay a yearly fee to the CLSAC, which started at $505,000 for the first year and increases by ten percent annually for the remaining four years of the term. We also have a unilateral option to extend the agreement for an additional five years, provided that the yearly fee for the first year of the renewed term, will increase by 25% from the fee due for fifth year of the term.

 

On October 12, 2007, we launched the inaugural season of the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour in Lanzhou, Gansu. After 15 regional tournaments, Season One culminated at the Grand Finals held in Nanjing, Jiangsu on June 22-25, 2008, where the first ever national championship team was crowned. Season Two of the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour began in Luoyang, Henan on October 11, 2008 and the Grand Finals are expected to be held in Beijing on June 12-14, 2009 after completion of the 15 regional tournaments.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2008 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

Revenues.  Total revenues decreased by $1.6 million (36%) during the three months ended September 28, 2008, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. Domestic television licensing revenues decreased $0.5 million (37%) in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the 2007 period. The decrease was primarily a result of the lower per episode license fee under the GSN agreement governing 2008 revenues, as compared to the TRV agreement in effect during the prior year period. International television licensing revenues decreased by $0.2 million (42%) in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the 2007 period, a result of lower fees associated with international distribution agreements. Product licensing revenues decreased by approximately $0.1 million (14%) in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to lower revenues from one customer in the current quarter as compared to the 2007 period. Online gaming revenues rose modestly in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007. Event hosting and sponsorship revenues decreased $0.9 million (57%) in the third quarter of 2008, due primarily to higher domestic sponsorship revenues from one customer in the prior period and lower international sponsorship revenues in the current period. Other revenues in the third quarter of 2008 were higher than in the third quarter of 2007 due to the addition of subscription revenues from ClubWPT.com in the 2008 period. In October 2008, FSN began airing, “ClubWPT.com”, a new poker program focused on building awareness and driving traffic to ClubWPT.com.

 

Cost of revenues.  Cost of revenues decreased by $0.4 million (26%) in the third quarter of 2008, compared to the 2007 period. The decrease was primarily due to a $339,000 reduction of previously recorded Season Six World Poker Tour production costs.

 

Gross margins.  Gross margins were 65% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to 69% in the third quarter of 2007.  This decrease was primarily due to a $339,000 reduction of previously estimated Season Six production costs and lower license fees per episode under the GSN contract.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense.  Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $1.2 million (21%) during the three months ended September 28, 2008, compared to the prior year period. The decrease was due to lower personnel related expenses, professional services and online gaming advertising costs, partially offset by increases in ClubWPT and online gaming sponsorship costs, a $300,000 lease abandonment provision and $350,000 of costs to terminate our agreements with CryptoLogic.

 

Asset impairment and abandonment charges.  We performed an impairment analysis of our investment in Cecure Gaming in the third quarter of 2008 due to difficulties Cecure Gaming is having in obtaining working capital to finance their business development over the next several years. Cecure Gaming also recently had a significant reduction in staffing. This investment was measured at implied fair value resulting in an other-than-temporary impairment charge. We recorded a $1,923,000 impairment charge in the third quarter of 2008 related to this investment.

 

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Nine months Ended September 28, 2008 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

Revenues.  Total revenues decreased by $3.8 million (23%) during the nine months ended September 28, 2008, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Domestic television licensing revenues decreased $2.7 million (34%) in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the 2007 period. The decrease was a result of the lower per episode license fee under the GSN agreement governing 2008 revenues, as compared to the TRV agreement in effect during the prior year period. International television licensing revenues decreased by $0.3 million (15%) during the nine months ended September 28, 2008 compared to the 2007 period, a result of lower fees associated with international distribution agreements. Product licensing revenues decreased by $0.7 million (27%) in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the 2007 period primarily due to higher license revenues from three customers in the 2007 period. Online gaming revenues decreased $0.2 million (26%), primarily as a result of lower levels of player activity on our site on the CryptoLogic Network in the 2008 period versus the site operated by WagerWorks in the 2007 period. Event hosting and sponsorship revenues were approximately the same in both periods, however, international television sponsorship revenues from Party Gaming increased by $1.0 million which offset a $1.0 million decrease in domestic sponsorships primarily related to two customers in the prior period. Other revenues in the nine months ended September 28, 2008 were higher than the same period in 2007 due to the addition of revenues from the subscription-based website ClubWPT.com in the 2008 period.  In October 2008, FSN began airing, “ClubWPT.com”, a new poker program focused on driving awareness and traffic to ClubWPT.com.

 

Cost of revenues.  Cost of revenues decreased by $0.1 million (2%) in the first nine months of 2008, compared to the 2007 period. We recorded a $339,000 reduction of previously recorded Season Six World Poker Tour production costs in the first nine months of 2008. Excluding this adjustment, cost of revenues increased in the first nine months of 2008 due to higher costs related to international sponsorship revenues.

 

Gross margins.  Gross margins were 50% in the first nine months of 2008, compared to 60% in the first nine months of 2007. Domestic television licensing margins were 16% in the first nine months of 2008 compared to 41% in the same period in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a $339,000 reduction of previously estimated Season Six production costs and lower license fees per episode under the GSN contract.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense.  Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $0.5 million (3%) during the nine months ended September 28, 2008, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was due to lower personnel related expenses, partially offset by increases in ClubWPT, online gaming and WPT China sponsorship costs, marketing and advertising costs associated with our online gaming business, a $300,000 lease abandonment provision and $350,000 of costs to terminate our agreements with CryptoLogic.

 

Asset impairment and abandonment charges.  We performed an impairment analysis of our investment in Cecure Gaming in the third quarter of 2008 due to difficulties Cecure Gaming is having in obtaining working capital to finance their business development over the next several years. Cecure Gaming also recently had a significant reduction in staffing. This investment was measured at implied fair value resulting in an other-than-temporary impairment charge. We recorded a $1,923,000 impairment charge in the third quarter of 2008 related to this investment. During the second quarter of 2007, we wrote off $2,270,000 of on-line gaming assets as a result of ceasing the development of a stand-alone online gaming business and joining a third-party online gaming network.

 

Business Outlook

 

For the fourth quarter of 2008, we expect:

 

·                                        FSN to air the first four episodes of Season Seven of the WPT television series. Actual air dates and time slots are controlled by FSN.

·                                        To recognize host fees and domestic sponsorship revenues for the first four episodes of Season Seven of the WPT television series. Actual air dates and time slots are controlled by FSN.

·                                        To seek foreign sponsorship revenues for Season Seven of the WPT television series.

·                                        To produce 13 episodes of the ClubWPT.com television show and for FSN to air them throughout the quarter.

·                                        To obtain 16,000 to 20,000 paying subscribers for ClubWPT.com by the end of the quarter.

·                                        To launch the WPT China integrated online and mobile poker game in November and begin to recognize revenue from China-related activities.

·                                        To continue the production of Season Two of the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour.

 

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Regarding production costs and operating expenses, we expect:

 

·                                        To incur production costs relating to Season Seven of the WPT television series while seeking foreign sponsorship revenues.

·                                        Minor costs to exit online gaming on the CryptoLogic network.

·                                        Higher sales and marketing costs associated with producing 13 episodes of the ClubWPT.com television show.

·                                        Increased costs associated with building and launching the WPT China integrated online and mobile poker game platform.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the first nine months of 2008, cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities decreased by $10.7 million to a combined balance of $20.4 million. Cash was used to support operating activities and to purchase property and equipment. Our principal cash requirements consist of payroll and benefits, office leases, television production, professional and consulting fees, business insurance and sales and marketing costs.

 

We intend to use funds currently on hand for working capital and capital expenditures associated with the expansion of the WPT television series, ClubWPT, WPT global marketing and WPT China, and for general corporate purposes. We anticipate our overall selling, general and administrative expenses will decrease in future periods. Specifically, we anticipate eliminating sales and marketing expenditures related to our online gaming site, in addition to reductions in certain general and administrative costs as we continue to implement cost-cutting measures company-wide. However, we anticipate increasing expenditures relating to driving significantly more traffic to ClubWPT.com and we expect to continue to invest in our China efforts by developing and marketing online and mobile games supporting the WPT China National Traktor Poker Tour.

 

As of September 28, 2008, we had approximately $10.2 million invested in auction rate securities (“ARS”), net of a $1.2 million unrealized valuation allowance, which we believe is a temporary decline in estimated fair value. Historically, ARS have been liquid with interest rates resetting every 7 to 35 days by an auction process. However, beginning in February 2008, auctions for ARS held by us failed as a result of liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets. An auction failure means that the amount of securities submitted for sale exceeds the amount of purchase orders and the parties wishing to sell the securities are instead required to hold the investment until a successful auction is completed. The ARS continue to pay interest in accordance with the terms of the underlying security; however, liquidity will continue to be limited until there is a successful auction or until such time as other markets for ARS develop.

 

The brokers that hold our ARS have entered into agreements with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to either repurchase ARS or to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief to holders of ARS by the end of 2009. We were notified by one broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS that we could expect to sell the ARS to that broker during the period June 30, 2010 to July 2, 2012. We were notified by our other broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS that we did not qualify for a November 5, 2008 repurchase of the ARS held by that broker due to the amount of our total investments held by them, and we are instead covered by the broker’s agreement with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief for ARS by the end of 2009. The broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS has offered to provide a loan to us, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 75% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker. We have entered into an agreement with the broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS to provide a line of credit to us, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 50% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker.  No amounts have been borrowed under that line of credit agreement.

 

Our ARS portfolio is collateralized by student loans that primarily have AAA or Aaa ratings and the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. We believe that the credit quality of these assets has not been impacted; however, beginning in the second quarter of 2008, we determined that the estimated fair value of our ARS had temporarily declined due to the current lack of liquidity in the marketplace. As a result, as of September 28, 2008, we have classified all ARS as non-current investments in marketable securities, with the estimated decline in fair value recorded as an unrealized loss of $1.2 million, which is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) in stockholders’ equity.

 

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We expect that cash, cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities and borrowings on credit lines secured by our ARS portfolio will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next year even considering the current liquidity issues with ARS. If these securities remain illiquid for a period greater than one year, then we will likely be required to seek additional working capital to fund our operations. General economic and capital market conditions are rapidly changing, are unpredictable and the impact on our business is not within our control. To raise working capital, we may need to seek to sell additional equity securities, issue debt or convertible securities, or seek to obtain credit facilities through financial institutions, the availability of which is highly uncertain.

 

The table below sets forth our known contractual obligations as of September 28, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Payments due by period (in thousands)

 

Contractual obligations

 

Total

 

Year 1

 

Years 2-3

 

Years 4-5

 

Years 6

and Beyond

 

Operating leases (1)

 

$

2,439

 

$

878

 

$

1,561

 

$

 

$

 

Purchase obligations (2),(3)

 

1,825

 

1,539

 

286

 

 

 

Employee obligation (4)

 

125

 

125

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,389

 

$

2,542

 

$

1,847

 

$

 

$

 


(1)

 

Operating lease obligations include rent payments for our corporate offices pursuant to two lease agreements. For the first lease, monthly lease payments are approximately $40,000 and escalate to approximately $45,000 over the remaining lease term. For the second lease, monthly lease payments are approximately $31,000 and escalate to approximately $33,000 over the remaining lease term. The amounts set forth in the table above include monthly lease payments through June 2011.

 

 

 

(2)

 

Includes the operational expenses associated with the development of WorldPokerTour.com. These expenses relate to the gaming and non-gaming aspects of the website. Operational expenses associated with WPT China are also included. Additionally, included in purchase obligations are open purchase orders of approximately $235,000 as of September 28, 2008. These liabilities are included in Other Accrued Expenses.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Includes a three year base retainer with Antonio Esfandiari, who serves as our spokesperson for ClubWPT.com.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Employee obligations include the base salary payable to Steven Lipscomb under his employment agreement.

 

Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Compliance

 

On August 14, 2008, the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) notified the Company that we were was not in compliance with the minimum stock listing price requirements of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) as a result of the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock being below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days. This notification has no effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock at this time. The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules provide the Company with 180 calendar days to regain compliance, which will require the bid price of the Company’s common stock to remain above $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days.

 

On October 16, 2008, Nasdaq announced the suspension of the enforcement of the rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price. The suspension will remain in effect through January 19, 2009. On October 22, 2008, Nasdaq notified the Company that as a result of the decision to suspend enforcement of the rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price through January 19, 2009, that Nasdaq has granted the Company an extension until May 18, 2009 to become in compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5). The Company will continue to execute its business plan to provide an opportunity to demonstrate value to the investment community and regain Nasdaq compliance.

 

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Lakes Entertainment, Inc. Stock Dividend

 

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (“Lakes”) declared a stock dividend on October 1, 2008 of all of the Company shares held by Lakes. The record date for the dividend to Lakes’ stockholders is October 24, 2008 and the date of distribution of the shares is November 21, 2008. Lakes owns 12,480,000 shares, or approximately 61 percent, of our outstanding common stock.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

 

Although our financial statements necessarily make use of certain accounting estimates by management, except as described below, we believe there are no matters that are the subject of such estimates that are so highly uncertain or susceptible to change as to present a significant risk of a material impact on our financial condition or operating performance. Moreover, except as described below, we do not employ any critical accounting policies that are selected from among available alternatives or require the exercise of significant management judgment to apply.

 

Investments in marketable securities.  We account for our long-term investments in marketable securities in accordance with SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.  Our investment portfolio includes investments in ARS. As a result of the liquidity issues surrounding our ARS, they were classified as long-term investments in marketable securities as of September 28, 2008.

 

Due to the lack of observable market quotes on our ARS portfolio, we utilize valuation models that are based on management’s estimates of expected cash flow streams and collateral values, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of our ARS portfolio is subject to considerable uncertainties and evolving market conditions that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact the estimated fair value include changes to credit ratings of the ARS as well as to the assets collateralizing the securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, and evolving market conditions affecting the liquidity of ARS. If uncertainties in the capital and credit markets continue, these markets deteriorate further or we experience any ratings downgrades on any ARS investments in our portfolio, we may incur additional impairments to our ARS investment portfolio, which could adversely affect our financial condition, cash flows and operating results.

 

Revenue recognition.  Revenue from the domestic and international distribution of our television series is recognized as earned under the following criteria established by the AICPA SOP 00-2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films:

 

·                   Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;

·                   The show/episode is complete, and in accordance with the terms of the arrangement, has been delivered or is available for immediate and unconditional delivery;

·                   The license period has begun and the customer can begin its exploitation, exhibition or sale;

·                   The seller’s price to the buyer is fixed and determinable; and

·                   Collectability is reasonably assured.

 

In accordance with the terms of our agreements, we recognized domestic television license revenues upon the receipt and acceptance of completed episodes by the Travel Channel and GSN. However, due to restrictions and practical limitations applicable to our operating relationships with foreign networks, we do not consider collectibility of international television license revenues to be “reasonably assured,” and accordingly, we do not recognize such revenue unless payment has been received. Additionally, we present certain international distribution license fee revenues net of the distributor’s fees, as the distributor is the primary obligor in the transaction with the ultimate customer pursuant to EITF 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent.

 

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Product licensing revenues are recognized when the underlying royalties from the sales of the related products are earned. We recognize minimum revenue guarantees, if any, ratably over the term of the license or as earned based on actual sales of the related products, if greater. We present product licensing fees gross of licensing commissions, which are recorded as selling and administrative expenses since we are the primary obligor in the transaction with the ultimate customer pursuant to EITF 99-19.

 

Online gaming revenues are recognized monthly based on detailed statements received from CryptoLogic, our online gaming service provider for online poker and casino activity. In accordance with EITF 99-19, we present online gaming revenues gross of service provider costs (including the service provider’s management fee, royalties and credit card processing that are recorded as cost of revenues) as we have the ability to adjust price and specifications of the online gaming site, we bear the majority of the credit risk and we are responsible for the sales and marketing of the gaming site. We include certain cash promotional expenses related to free bets and deposit bonuses along with customer chargebacks as direct reductions of revenue. All other promotional expenses are generally recorded as sales and marketing expenses.

 

Subscription revenues are recognized monthly based on statements received from Centaurus, our subscription-based online service provider. In accordance with EITF 99-19, we present subscriptions revenues gross of service provider costs (including the service provider’s management fee, content fees and credit card processing fees that are recorded as cost of revenues) as we have the ability to adjust specifications of the game site, we bear the majority of the credit risk and we are responsible for the sales and marketing of the gaming site. All other promotional expenses are generally recorded as sales and marketing expenses.

 

Event hosting fees are paid by host casinos for the privilege of hosting the events and are recognized as the episodes that feature the host casino are aired. Sponsorship revenues are recognized as the episodes that feature the sponsor are aired. Licensing advances and guaranteed payments collected, but not yet earned, as well as casino host fees and sponsorship fees collected prior to the airing of episodes, are classified as deferred revenue in the accompanying balance sheets.

 

Travel Channel participation.  We account for royalty payments to the Travel Channel when the applicable revenues from the exploitation of the World Poker Tour brand are recognized, after specified minimum amounts are met. We record these amounts in cost of revenues.

 

Deferred television costs.  We account for deferred television costs in accordance with SOP 00-2. Deferred television costs include direct production, overhead and development costs stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value based on anticipated revenue. Production overhead includes incremental costs associated with the productions such as office facilities and insurance. Shared facilities costs are allocated to episodes based on headcount. Production overhead insurance costs are allocated to television costs based on number of episodes. Capitalized television production costs for each episode are expensed as revenues are recognized upon delivery and acceptance of the completed episode using the individual-film-forecast-computation method for each season produced. Management currently estimates that all deferred television costs at September 28, 2008 are expected to be expensed in connection with domestic episode deliveries and foreign sponsor license arrangements over the next twelve months and are, therefore, presented as current assets.

 

Investment in unconsolidated investee.  We paid $2.9 million in 2006 to acquire approximately 10% of Cecure Gaming. Our ownership was subsequently diluted to approximately 8%. Cecure Gaming developed software and other products which enable Cecure Gaming or its licensees to offer real money gaming services to customers via mobile devices. As we have less then 20% ownership interest and do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over Cecure Gaming, we account for this investment under the cost method and periodically evaluate the carrying value for impairment.

 

We performed an impairment analysis of our investment in Cecure Gaming in the third quarter of 2008 due to difficulties Cecure Gaming is having in obtaining working capital to finance their business development over the next several years. Cecure Gaming also recently had a significant reduction in staffing. This investment was measured at implied fair value resulting in an other-than-temporary impairment charge. The implied fair value measurement was calculated using financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies and was measured using Level 3 inputs, as we used unobservable inputs and significant management judgment to value this investment due to the absence of quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity, and the long-term nature of this investment. We recorded a $1,923,000 impairment charge in the third quarter of 2008 related to this investment.

 

Share-based compensation.  On January 2, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123(R) using the “modified prospective transition” method, which requires recognition of expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards outstanding as of the date of adoption.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 

See “Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for information about recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

 

The foregoing discussion and other statements in this report contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations or beliefs concerning future events. These statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could,” “possible,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “forecast” and similar words or expressions.

 

Forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect our anticipated future results and, accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.  Our forward-looking statements generally relate to plans for future expansion and other business development activities, expected levels of capital spending, potential sources of future financing and the possible effects on our business of gaming, tax and other regulation and of competition. Although it is not possible to foresee all of the factors that may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, see “Part II – Other Information, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and the risk factors described in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007 for risk factors that may impact our forward-looking statements.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our main investment objectives are the preservation of investment capital and the maximization of after-tax returns on our investment portfolio. Consequently, we invest with only high-credit-quality issuers and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.

 

Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. As of September 28, 2008, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. We also hold short-term investments consisting of marketable debt securities (consisting of corporate preferred securities, municipal bonds and certificates of deposit) having a weighted-average duration of one year or less. Consequently, such securities are not subject to significant interest rate risk. We also hold long-term investments in marketable securities which consist of ARS. The types of ARS investments that we own are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and are primarily AAA or Aaa rated.

 

Historically, these types of ARS investments have been highly liquid using an auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at predetermined intervals, typically every 7 to 35 days, to provide liquidity at par. However, as a result of the liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, the auctions for all of our ARS failed beginning in February 2008. The failures of these auctions do not affect the value of the collateral underlying the ARS, and we continue to earn interest on our ARS at contractually set rates. However, we will not be able to liquidate our ARS until the issuer calls the security, a successful auction occurs, a buyer is found outside of the auction process or the security matures. During October 2008, we received account statements for the end of the third quarter of 2008, from the firms managing our ARS which estimated the fair value of our ARS. We analyzed these statements and have concluded that for the nine month period ended September 28, 2008, a decrease of $1.2 million in the estimated fair value of the ARS we hold has occurred as a result of the current lack of liquidity. We consider declines in the estimated fair value of our ARS due to lack of liquidity to be temporary impairments that have been recorded as an unrealized loss in stockholders’ equity as of September 28, 2008. See “Note 5. Investments in Marketable Securities” for more information about our ARS investments.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

There have been no significant changes (including corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, if any) in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation referenced above.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

See “Note 8. Contingencies” for information about legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

GSN did not exercise its right to broadcast future seasons of the WPT and our new broadcast agreement with FSN does not provide for any broadcast fees to be paid to us, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

On June 7, 2008, GSN notified us that it would not exercise its option to broadcast future seasons of the WPT. The license fees we have received from domestic broadcasters have been our most significant source of revenue, comprising approximately 54% of our total historical revenues. Although we entered into a distribution agreement with FSN on September 30, 2008 to broadcast Season Seven of the WPT television series, the FSN agreement does not provide for any license fees to be paid to us for the broadcast rights. We intend to generate fees from sponsors by integrating sponsor logos and other advertising materials into our programs and around the broadcast of the shows. There is no assurance that we will be able to find sponsors for Season Seven of the WPT television series, or to the extent we do find sponsors, that the fees paid will be equal to the amounts paid to us by GSN. We may still be required to pay the costs to produce the shows for FSN and depending on the amount of sponsor revenues we are able to generate, if any, the lack of license fees in our FSN agreement could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Our broadcasting agreement with FSN is a new business arrangement, and there is no assurance FSN will be a viable business partner or that they will exercise rights to broadcast future seasons of the WPT, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

On September 30, 2008, we entered into an agreement with Fox Sports Network to broadcast Season Seven of the WPT. If in the future, FSN elects not to continue airing the WPT series and we cannot replace our agreement with FSN with a comparable agreement, it may be difficult for us to obtain sponsorship funds, it will be detrimental to the viability of the WPT brand and, consequently, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Our ClubWPT.com business will be heavily dependent upon television as a primary source for the generation of new subscribers, which if not achieved could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We will be incurring about $1.3 million of television production costs in the fourth quarter of 2008 for a television poker program focused on building awareness and driving traffic to our online subscription website. In the event that sufficient subscribers do not result from these television broadcasts, we could incur significant losses in this business.

 

Our reliance on Centaurus Games, LLC as a third party systems provider is subject to system security risks and business viability risks that could disrupt our internal reporting or disrupt services provided to ClubWPT.com customers, and any such disruption could harm our revenue, increase our expenses and harm our reputation.

 

Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate Centaurus Games’s network security and misappropriate confidential information, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. In addition, computer programmers and hackers may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack their products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of their products. As a result we could lose existing or potential customers. We are also Centaurus Game’s major source of revenue. If we do not provide sufficient business to them, they may face significant financial pressures. Our efforts to address these risks could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may reduce our revenues, increase our expenses and harm our reputation.

 

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Rules and regulations governing sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways vary by state and county and our compliance with these rules and regulations could restrict or eliminate our ability to generate revenues at ClubWPT.com which could materially and adversely impact the viability of this business.

 

Changes in laws or regulations in various states or countries over sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways or a negative finding of law regarding the characterization of the type of online activity carried out on ClubWPT.com could result in our inability to obtain subscribers in those jurisdictions, which in turn could significantly impact our ability to generate revenue.

 

Due to the international nature of our WPT China business, political or economic changes or other factors could reduce our future revenue, increase costs and harm our investment in this business.

 

Our future revenues, expenses and financial condition could be impacted by a variety of factors impacting our WPT China business, including:

 

·                  changes in China’s economic or political conditions, including inflation, recession, interest rate fluctuations and actual or anticipated military or political conflicts;

·                  local labor conditions and regulations;

·                  managing a geographically dispersed workforce;

·                  changes in the regulatory or legal environment;

·                  differing technology standards or customer requirements;

·                  import, export or other business licensing requirements or requirements relating to making foreign direct investments, which could affect our ability to obtain favorable terms for contracts or lead to penalties or restrictions; and

·                  difficulties associated with repatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws.

 

In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, it is common to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws and regulations applicable to us, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to facilitate compliance with these laws, our employees, contractors and agents, as well as those companies to which we outsource certain of our business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies. Any such violation, even if prohibited by our policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We depend on third parties to develop and market our operations in China, and we have little control over their day-to-day operations and have no way to ensure that we can monetize our China operations effectively.

 

We recently formed a corporation to do business in China. Prior to this formation, we developed our WPT China operations using third parties vendors and consultants in China.  We expect to continue to rely heavily on third party vendors and consultants for critical parts of our business in China. Actions by these vendors or consultants may limit or prohibit the continued development of this business or may limit or prohibit our ability to continue to do business in China.

 

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We may be adversely impacted by economic factors beyond our control and may incur additional impairment charges to our investment portfolio.

 

As of September 28, 2008, we had $11.4 million of principal invested in ARS. The types of ARS investments that we own are backed by student loans, the majority of which are guaranteed under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and are primarily AAA or Aaa rated. The estimated fair value of our ARS holdings at September 28, 2008 was $10.2 million, which reflects a $1.2 million unrealized holding loss. We recorded this unrealized loss in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) in stockholders’ equity, reflecting an impairment that we have concluded as a temporary decline in value.

 

The brokers that hold our ARS have entered into agreements with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to either repurchase ARS or to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief for holders of ARS by the end of 2009. We were notified by one broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS that we could expect to sell the ARS to that broker during the period June 30, 2010 to July 2, 2012. We were notified by our other broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS that we did not qualify for a November 5, 2008 repurchase of the ARS held by that broker due to the amount of our total investments held by them, and we are instead covered by their agreement with the New York Attorney General and various state and federal regulators to use their best efforts to provide liquidity and other relief for ARS by the end of 2009. The broker that holds $3.9 million of ARS has offered to provide a loan to us, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 75% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker. We have entered into an agreement with the broker that holds $7.5 million of ARS to provide a line of credit to us, secured by ARS held by that broker, equal to 50% of the fair value of the ARS held by that broker.  No amounts have been borrowed under that line of credit agreement.

 

If uncertainties in the capital and credit markets continue, these markets deteriorate further or we experience any ratings downgrades on any ARS investments in our portfolio, we may incur additional impairments to our ARS investment portfolio, which could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

We received a Nasdaq staff determination letter on August 14, 2008, notifying us that we were not in compliance with the minimum stock listing price requirements of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) as a result of the closing bid price for the Company’s common stock being below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days.

 

The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules provide the Company with 180 calendar days to regain compliance, which will require the bid price of the Company’s common stock to remain above $1.00 for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days by February 10, 2009. If we do not regain compliance with this rule, Nasdaq Staff will provide written notification that our securities will be delisted. On October 16, 2008, Nasdaq announced the suspension of the enforcement of rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price. The suspension will remain in effect through January 19, 2009. On October 22, 2008, Nasdaq notified the Company that as a result of the decision to suspend enforcement of the rules requiring a minimum $1.00 closing bid price through January 19, 2009, that Nasdaq has granted the Company an extension until May 18, 2009 to become in compliance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5).

 

There are other significant risk factors that impact our business. The following is list of these other significant risk factors:

 

·                    The termination or impairment of our relationships with key licensing and strategic partners could harm our business performance;

·                    Our television programming may fail to maintain a sufficient audience for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond our control;

·                    Our competitors, many of whom have greater financial resources or marketplace presence, continue to develope television programming that directly competes with our television programming;

·                    The continuing decline and increasing uncertainty in general economic conditions or adverse changes in the popularity of our brand of televised poker tournaments may negatively impact our business;

·                    We may be unable to protect our entertainment concepts, our current and future brands and our other intellectual property rights;

·                    We may be unable to successfully expand into foreign markets or into new or complementary businesses;

·                    The regulatory environment for online gaming is currently uncertain, and despite our efforts to comply with applicable laws, we could be found to be in violation of applicable United States or foreign regulations; and

·                    The loss of our President and Chief Executive Officer or another member of our senior management team may negatively impact the success of our business.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

10.1

 

World Poker Tour Series Season VII Sponsored Episodes Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2008, between Pocket Kings and WPT Enterprises, Inc.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 5, 2008

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

Registrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/ s/ Steven Lipscomb

 

 

Steven Lipscomb

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas Flahie

 

 

Thomas Flahie

 

 

Interim Chief Financial Officer

 

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