-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, FSUf83BxjsNiG+afGgECt/6AGeLOl6r2/JK6rnakv395XBFne6MhnNSq2GWYBUBJ jilZrJLpQ4SwlVs+zq6S9A== 0001104659-07-019390.txt : 20070315 0001104659-07-019390.hdr.sgml : 20070315 20070315112744 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-07-019390 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20061231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070315 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070315 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WPT ENTERPRISES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001283843 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MOTION PICTURE & VIDEO TAPE PRODUCTION [7812] IRS NUMBER: 611407231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-50848 FILM NUMBER: 07695505 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1041 N. FORMOSA AVE. CITY: WEST HOLLYWOOD STATE: CA ZIP: 90046 10-K 1 a07-7654_110k.htm 10-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K

(Mark One)

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

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006

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

 

7812

 

77-0639000

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 


5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 350

Los Angeles, California 90036

Telephone: (323) 330-9900

Facsimile: (323) 330-9902

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 

NASDAQ Global Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  o  Yes  x  No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  o  Yes  x  No

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 issuer was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x Yes  o  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.  ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  o     Accelerated filer  x     Non-accelerated filer  o

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

The aggregate market value of the common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates, based on the closing sale price on June 30, 2006, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $37,645,065. For purposes of this computation, affiliates of the Registrant are deemed only to be the Registrant’s executive officers and directors and its parent company, Lakes Poker Tour, LLC.

As of March 1, 2007, there were 20,378,333 shares of the registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 30, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Items 10 through 14, inclusive.

 




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

 

1

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

 

17

 

 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

 

26

 

 

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

 

27

 

 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

 

27

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

27

 

 

PART II

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

28

 

 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

 

 

29

 

 

Item 7.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

30

 

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

43

 

 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

 

 

44

 

 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

 

63

 

 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

63

 

 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

 

64

 

 

PART III

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

 

65

 

 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

 

65

 

 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

 

65

 

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

 

65

 

 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

 

65

 

 

PART IV

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

66

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

69

 

 

 




PART I

Item 1.                        Business

The following discussion contains trend information and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual results of WPT Enterprises, Inc. could differ materially from the Company’s historical results of operations and those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those identified in “Risk Factors.”

Overview

We create internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. We created the World Poker Tour® (“WPT”), a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that currently airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and is telecast in more than 150 markets globally. With the WPT in its fifth season, we launched a second series, the Professional Poker Tour™ (“PPT”), which focuses on the play of poker’s leading tournament stars. The first season of PPT currently airs on the Travel Channel. We also operate a real-money online gaming website, www.wptonline.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. We currently 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. We are also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships.

History

We were founded on March 1, 2002, by Steven Lipscomb, who currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President, and Lakes Poker Tour, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc., whose founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lyle Berman, serves as our Executive Chairman of the Board. We were initially organized as a Delaware limited liability company named World Poker Tour, LLC. We converted into a Delaware corporation named “WPT Enterprises, Inc” immediately prior to our initial public offering in August 2004. Lakes Poker Tour continues to own a majority of our outstanding common stock.

Our Business Units

We operate through four business units, WPT Studios, WPT Online Gaming, WPT Consumer Products and WPT Corporate Alliances, described in greater detail below:

WPT Studios   generates revenue through the domestic and international licensing of telecast rights, as well as host fees from casinos and cardrooms that host the televised WPT and PPT events. The majority of our historical revenues have resulted from WPT Studios, which has represented approximately 74% of our Company’s total revenues.

WPT Online Gaming   generates revenue through our WPT-branded online gaming website, WPTonline.com, which features an online poker room and an online casino with a broad selection of slots and table games. Although any Internet user can access WPTonline.com via the World Wide Web, the website does not permit bets to be made from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. We have operated this gaming website since 2005.

Since we began to offer our gaming website, the site has been operated by WagerWorks, Inc., or WagerWorks, a subsidiary of International Game Technology. We granted to WagerWorks a license to utilize the WPT brand to create the website, and WagerWorks has shared with us a percentage of all net revenue it collects from the operation of the online poker room and online casino. Since June 2006, we have been developing our own poker room software based on software we license from CyberArts

1




Licensing, LLC (“CyberArts”), and we are preparing to re-launch the online poker room using our own design. We will also be using a software platform from Orbis Technology Limited for our online casino. At the time of our re-launch, we anticipate that WagerWorks’ activities for our online poker room and casino will cease.

WPT Consumer Products   generates revenue through 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 and through our direct sale of company-produced merchandise featuring our World Poker Tour brand.

WPT Corporate Alliances   generates revenue through sales of corporate sponsorships that include elements of on-air visibility, online visibility, corporate live event sponsorship, promotional sponsorships and corporate hospitality events.

The table below sets forth, for each period shown, the aggregate revenues, in thousands, attributable to each business unit and the amount of such revenues as a percentage of our total revenues:

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

WPT Studios

 

$

20,960

 

$

11,503

 

$

14,740

 

 

71.6

%

63.7

%

84.0

%

WPT Online Gaming

 

3,150

 

864

 

 

 

 

10.8

%

4.8

%

 

WPT Consumer Products

 

3,613

 

4,816

 

2,234

 

 

12.3

%

26.7

%

12.7

%

WPT Corporate Alliances

 

1,538

 

880

 

583

 

 

 

5.3

%

4.8

%

3.3

%

Total Company Revenue

 

$

29,261

 

$

18,063

 

$

17,557

 

 

WPT STUDIOS

The World Poker Tour

Background

The WPT is a sports league of affiliated poker tournaments open to the public. There are currently 18 regular WPT tournaments or tour stops on the circuit, which are all hosted by prestigious casinos and poker rooms. Each season of tour stops culminates in the WPT World Championship at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, which includes the winner of each of that season’s previous WPT tournaments. The WPT stops have attracted well-known and established professional and amateur poker players on the poker circuit. We also make our tour stops accessible to the mainstream poker player by partnering with casinos and poker rooms which host “satellite” and “super satellite” poker tournaments in which the winner or winners may ultimately earn a paid entry into a WPT event. At our tour stops, we film the final table of six participants competing for some of the poker world’s largest tournament prize pools. We then edit the footage from each tour stop into a two-hour episode, resulting in a series of two-hour episodes which are distributed for telecast to both domestic and international television audiences. In addition, we film and produce special episodes based on a variety of non-traditional poker tournaments, which we also distribute for telecast along with the episodes based on our regular tour stops.

The WPT brand has gained recognition through the telecast of the World Poker Tour television series, which currently airs on the Travel Channel and subsequently on multiple television networks around the world. Since its premiere during the spring and summer of 2003, our television series has become the Travel Channel’s highest rated program, based on data compiled by Nielsen Media Research that measures the number of television households viewing the series’ episodes. The following table describes

2




the timing of Seasons One through Five of the World Poker Tour series, including our delivery and the Travel Channel’s exhibition of the episodes each season:

World Poker
Tour Season

 

Date of TRV Agreement or
Option for Season

 

Number of
episodes (including special episodes)

 

Production Period and
Delivery of Episodes to TRV

 

Initial Telecast of Episodes in Season

Season One

 

January 2003

 

15

 

February 2002—June 2003

 

March 2003—June 2003

Season Two

 

August 2003

 

25

 

July 2003—June 2004

 

December 2003—September 2004

Season Three

 

May 2004

 

21

 

May 2004—April 2005

 

October 2004—August 2005

Season Four

 

March 2005

 

21

 

May 2005—April 2006

 

October 2005—June 2006

Season Five

 

March 2006

 

22

 

May 2006—April 2007 (expected)

 

August 2006—August 2007 (expected)*


*                    Although we produced, delivered and aired two Season Five specials (Battle of Champions IV and Ladies Night IV) in 2006, the fifth season of the WPT officially begins airing in April 2007.

As described below, we were unable to arrive at economic terms with the Travel Channel for the broadcast rights for Season Six prior to the original option deadline of March 10, 2007, and have extended the option period to April 1, 2007, and we continue to negotiate. Season Five episodes are scheduled to begin broadcasting on the Travel Channel in April 2007, and the first event of Season Six will begin taping in May.

We believe that we have strengthened the WPT brand through our relationships with numerous prestigious casinos, many of which have long-established poker tournaments that have become WPT tour stops, our ability to attract well-known, established professional poker players to our tournaments, and our ability to build excitement and identification among a core audience of amateur poker players by giving a broad range of amateurs the ability to compete for seats at our tournaments.

WPT Tour Stops

Poker tournaments have been hosted by many casinos and cardrooms around the world for many years. To gain a seat at the table in these tournaments, competitors “buy in” by paying an entry fee, some or all of which goes into the tournaments’ prize pools (that is, the amount of money that the winners take home). This buy in amount at major tournaments ranges from $5,000 to as much as $25,000 at the largest and best-known tournaments. At the WPT’s regular season events and the WPT World Championship, like most traditional poker tournaments, anyone is eligible to buy in and play, subject to the house rules of the host casino and to the laws of the jurisdiction where the tournament is held.

The style of poker played at all WPT events is Texas Hold ‘Em. Players are assigned to different tables at which each player competes against the others until being eliminated by losing all of his or her chips. Tables are combined as players are eliminated and the players holding chips continue to compete until six players remain. On the last day of the tournament, these six players compete at the “final table” located in a designated WPT arena until only one player, the champion, remains. Professional and amateur poker players may be drawn to established tournaments based on the size of a poker tournament’s prize pool, the prestigious nature of the casino or cardroom hosting the event, the history and tradition of the tournament itself and the level of the competition drawn to the event.

While many of WPT’s tournaments have been in existence for years, we have turned them into a circuit of events that is affiliated under the WPT name with the intention of creating a sporting circuit in the tradition of the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, NASCAR, and the PGA Tour. The inaugural season of the WPT consisted of 12 tour stops and the season ending WPT World Championship, and we have added additional tournaments to the WPT’s list of tour stops in the

3




subsequent seasons. Currently, the WPT consists of the following 18 annual poker tournaments, which comprise our Season Five tour stops:

·       Mirage Poker Showdown—Mirage Casino-Hotel (Las Vegas, Nevada);

·       Mandalay Bay Poker Championship—Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas, Nevada);

·       Grand Prix de Paris—Aviation Club De France (Paris, France);

·       Legends of Poker—Bicycle Casino (Bell Gardens, California);

·       Borgata Poker Open—Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa (Atlantic City, New Jersey);

·       Festa Al Lago Classic—Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada);

·       North American Poker Championship—Fallsview Casino Resort (Niagara Falls, Canada);

·       World Poker Finals—Foxwoods Resort Casino (Mashantucket, Connecticut);

·       Five Diamond World Poker Classic—Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada);

·       PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure—Atlantis (Bahamas);

·       World Poker Open—Gold Strike Casino Resort (Tunica, Mississippi);

·       Borgata Poker Classic—Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa (Atlantic City, New Jersey);

·       LA Poker Classic—Commerce Casino (Commerce, California);

·       WPT Invitational—Commerce Casino (Commerce, California);

·       Shooting Stars of Poker—Bay 101 Casino (San Jose, California);

·       World Poker Challenge—Reno Hilton (Reno, Nevada);

·       Foxwoods New England Poker Classic—Foxwoods Resort Casino (Mashantucket, Connecticut);

·       WPT World Championship—Bellagio (Las Vegas, Nevada).

In addition to receiving the first place portion of the tournament’s prize pool, the winner of each regular tour stop also receives a paid entry into the World Poker Tour season’s culminating event, the WPT World Championship, which is hosted by the Bellagio in Las Vegas, as well as a three-year “tour card,” allowing the winner to compete in the Professional Poker Tour(TM), or PPT, which is described in detail later herein. At the WPT World Championship, each of that season’s previous tour stop winners compete with other participants for one of the largest prize pools in tournament poker. In each of the first four seasons of the World Poker Tour, the number of players, size of prize pools and number of tour stops have all increased. We are seeing similar increases in the number of players and size of the prize pools as we proceed through Season Five.

GRAPHIC

GRAPHIC

 

4




WPT Specials

In addition to filming and producing content for distribution and exhibition based on the final tables of the WPT’s regular tour stops, we also film and produce non-tournament WPT episodes. To date, these special episodes have included the following:

·       WPT Ladies Night

·       WPT Battle of Champions

·       WPT Hollywood Home Game

·       WPT Bad Boys of Poker

·       WPT Poker by the Book

·       WPT Young Guns of Poker

·       WPT American Chopper vs. Trading Spaces

·       WPT Invitational

·       WPT Fathers and Sons

Access to the WPT—Our Satellite and Super Satellite Tournaments

To have a successful buy-in tournament event like the regular WPT events or the WPT World Championship, “satellite” and “super satellite” tournaments are important in ensuring a large field of players that will generate a substantial prize pool for the winners. Satellites are tournaments that allow players to buy in for a fraction of the cost of a major event in hopes of winning a seat in other satellites or the major event itself. For example, assuming that a WPT event costs $10,000 to enter, a one-table satellite (ten players) for this event would cost $1,000 to play and the winner of the satellite would receive a paid entry into the $10,000 event. Most casinos host satellites nightly for as little as two weeks and as much as one year prior to their major events. Casinos and cardrooms also host super satellites, which are multi-table tournaments held for major events. Because super satellites contemplate more participants given their multiple table format, the buy-in amounts tend to be significantly less than that of the one-table satellites.

In order to increase the accessibility of WPT events, we have launched a program to encourage casinos across the country to provide lower cost satellite or super satellite tournaments to fans across the United States. To date, over 100 casinos and cardrooms have hosted WPT satellite and super satellite events. In addition to increasing the size and visibility of our tour stops, our satellite and super satellite program makes the WPT events, including the WPT World Championship, more accessible to the mainstream poker player who may not want to risk the entire cost of a large buy-in championship tournament. The satellites and super satellites give these mainstream poker players the opportunity to earn a paid entry to our tour stops and potentially be a part of the action at the televised final tables. Like the tour stops themselves, these satellite and super satellite events are operated by the host casinos and cardrooms, and they are responsible for ensuring that the tournaments comply with all applicable gaming regulations. We neither receive revenues nor incur expenses in connection with these events.

5




Telecast License Agreements with the Travel Channel

Under our license agreements with the Travel Channel, the Travel Channel obtained an exclusive domestic license to exhibit the episodes produced in connection with Seasons One through Five of the World Poker Tour television series. The Travel Channel retains the exclusive right to exhibit the episodes produced in connection with each of these seasons in the U.S. for a period of four years, or three years in the case of Season One. Additionally, our license agreement provides for exhibition holdbacks for episodes from a date which is two years after an episode comes out of license.

The Travel Channel also has successive one-year options covering Seasons Six and Seven of the WPT series. We were unable to arrive at economic terms with the Travel Channel for the broadcast rights for Season Six prior to the original option deadline of March 10, 2007, and have extended the option period to April 1, 2007, and we continue to negotiate.

If we elect not to continue production of the World Poker Tour television series during any season for which the Travel Channel has exercised its option on our programming, but we continue to organize tour stops under the World Poker Tour name, the Travel Channel may contract with another production company to produce the episodes for the remainder of that season. In that event, we are required to grant the Travel Channel a license to use the World Poker Tour name and marks in connection with the exploitation of those episodes in exchange for an annual license fee of $40,000. If we elect to discontinue organizing tour stops under the World Poker Tour name, the Travel Channel will have a right of first negotiation and last refusal to acquire all of our rights to continue such activities.

Under our agreements with the Travel Channel, we receive fixed license fees for each episode, payable at various times during our production and post-production process. This per-episode license fee for the World Poker Tour increases by a fixed percentage in each year that the Travel Channel exercises its option. For no additional payments, the Travel Channel receives rights to show repeats of the episodes an unlimited number of times on the Travel Channel or other Discovery Channel networks in the United States for a period of four years, or three years in the case of the episodes from Season One, following an episode’s first exhibition on television in the U.S. or, if sooner, 60 days after we satisfactorily deliver the episode to the Travel Channel. As is customary in most production agreements with television networks, the Travel Channel has retained final edit rights over the programs that we produce.

Since the license fees we receive pursuant to the Travel Channel agreement either remain constant or increase at a prescribed rate for each new season of programming, our television ratings do not affect the license fees we will receive from the Travel Channel during the term of the agreement. The ratings will, however, affect the Travel Channel’s decision to exercise its remaining options on Seasons Six and Seven of the WPT. In addition, the ratings evidence the popularity of our television series and the penetration of our brands, each of which may be an indication of our ability to obtain increased fees for U.S. telecast licenses upon the termination of our Travel Channel agreements, as well as our ability to generate revenue from international telecast licenses and other sources based on our brands’ popularity.

While we have retained worldwide television rights to telecast the WPT and PPT episodes outside the U.S. and the right to pursue other business activities related to the WPT and Professional Poker Tour events and brand worldwide, the Travel Channel has rights to receive 15% of our adjusted gross revenues from all DVD and home video sales, merchandising and publishing activities and international television licenses.

The Professional Poker Tour

Background

The Professional Poker Tour events differed somewhat from the WPT, in that only qualified players were permitted to play in PPT events. The PPT model was similar to the PGA Tour, in that players needed

6




to earn a “tour card” to play in the PPT events. Each winner of a WPT event automatically received a three-year tour card to the PPT. Additionally, individuals that met other specified criteria, as well as some WPT invitees, were permitted to participate in the PPT.

The initial season of PPT was comprised of approximately 200 participants competing in five tour stops, which included Foxwoods, Bellagio, Gold Strike Casino, Commerce Casino and the Mirage. Participants in the PPT did not pay an entry fee, as the prize pools for these events were guaranteed by us. The PPT tournaments were all No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, similar in structure to the WPT events.

The PPT has a different format from the WPT, in that the PPT promoted the fact that only the world’s top players were pitted against each other, as opposed to the WPT, where any person, professional or amateur, has a chance to win the event once they have put up the entry fee.

Telecast License Agreement with the Travel Channel

We entered into an agreement with Discovery Communications, Inc. (the parent company to the Travel Channel) in January 2006, pursuant to which Travel Channel agreed to license the rights to telecast the PPT events. The PPT’s first season, which included 24 two-hour episodes, has already been filmed and aired on the Travel Channel during 2006. On May 1, 2006, the Travel Channel notified the Company that it had chosen to not exercise its options for Season Two and subsequent seasons of the PPT. The Company is currently assessing its future options for the PPT.

The agreement with Discovery, which continues to cover the broadcast rights to Season One was substantially similar in structure to our agreement with Travel Channel with respect to the WPT, with the following exceptions: First, the PPT agreement has a different mechanism for selecting corporate sponsors that grants us more flexibility than we have in the WPT agreements. Second, upon termination of the agreement, Travel Channel’s revenue share percentage declines over the following four years. There is no revenue share percentage beginning in the fifth year following the termination of the agreement.

Our Television Series

Using our innovative sports-style production, we shoot our footage of the final table of each WPT and PPT event from 19 different camera angles, incorporate graphics and distinctive lighting and add commentary from on-air poker personalities. Our productions also feature specially-designed poker tables conducive to televised poker play and include our WPT Cams, which are small cameras placed on the poker table in front of each player that reveal each competitor’s hidden cards, or “hole cards,” to the television audience at the same time the player looks at his or her hand. Using the footage we obtain at the final tables of our WPT and PPT events, we edit the footage into two-hour episodes for each tournament for distribution and telecast on cable and/or broadcast television.

International Television Distribution

International Telecast Agreements

Since 2004, we have entered into agreements for international telecast of our episodes in over 150 territories. Each of these agreements grants the international licensee an exclusive license to exhibit certain WPT and PPT episodes in the applicable territory and distribution channel for a period of time ranging from seven months to two years. In addition, certain of the agreements provide the licensee with either an option to license additional seasons of WPT programming on similar terms or a right of first refusal and last negotiation with respect to such programming. We are also currently negotiating international telecast license agreements with some of the licensees that contain provisions for exclusivity regarding the advertisement and sponsorship of online gaming.

7




Alfred Haber Agreement

To date, we have obtained our international license agreements through an exclusive five-year agreement we entered into with Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc. in 2004. The agreement allowed Alfred Haber to negotiate international licenses for the exhibition of the WPT’s first, second and third seasons. In December 2005, we entered into an exclusive one-year agreement with Alfred Haber Distribution to act as our agent in regard to the international distribution of Season Four of the WPT and Season One of the Professional Poker Tour. In December 2006, we notified Alfred Haber that they would no longer be the international distributor for WPT Season Four and PPT Season One, or for any future WPT and PPT seasons. As a result, the Company will utilize its internal staff and PartyGaming’s resources, as described below, to distribute all future WPT and PPT episodes into the international marketplace. After recouping up to a certain amount of expenses, Alfred Haber Distribution receives 25% of our gross receipts from these international licenses for WPT Seasons One through Three and 20% of our gross receipts from WPT Season Four and Professional Poker Tour Season One.

PartyGaming Sponsorship Agreement

In December 2006, we signed a multi-year agreement with iGlobalMedia Marketing (Gibraltar) Limited, a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc (“PartyGaming”), owner of PartyPoker.com, pursuant to which they will provide international television sponsorship of the WPT and PPT. The agreement covers shows produced under WPT Seasons Four, Five, and Six and PPT Seasons One, Two, and Three. The agreement helps solidify and expand the international WPT brand through PartyGaming’s extensive marketing resources, provides valuable promotional opportunities for WPT’s online gaming site and worldpokertour.com, and represents a new revenue stream for us. PartyPoker.com will receive exclusive in-show branded integration and association with our brands, which we believe are premiere brands in televised poker.

Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to provide PartyGaming with certain post-produced audio and graphic sponsorship integration and advertising rights in connection with the distribution and broadcasting of the WPT and PPT television series in certain primary and secondary international (i.e., non-U.S.) markets for an approximate three year period in each territory. In exchange for those rights, PartyGaming agreed to pay us fixed fees for entering into broadcast sponsorship arrangements that meet particular requirements, including:

·       securing exclusive online gaming advertising rights in connection with the broadcasting of our shows;

·       incorporating audio and graphic integration of Party Poker at a certain minimum ratio; and ensuring that the shows are broadcast before midnight for a run of at least half of the episodes to be aired by each such broadcaster.

We retained the right to incorporate our own branding and other audio and graphic integration into the shows. We also can integrate additional sponsors within the shows provided those sponsors aren’t considered “title” sponsors of the shows and as long as the sponsor isn’t in the business of online gaming. In addition, PartyGaming agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist us in obtaining international distribution of the shows. PartyGaming also agreed to negotiate advertising rates and obtain advertising inventory around each exhibition of episodes in each territory. We are entitled to purchase up to one-third (1/3) of all available advertising inventory available to PartyGaming at the same rate PartyGaming receives. PartyGaming will provide satellite tournaments for entry into WPT poker tournaments on PartyGaming’s online gaming site and will generally promote those satellites. The agreement also provides for the licensing of brands between the parties and general terms regarding representations and warranties, indemnification and confidentiality.

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Assuming we are able to enter into arrangements to air shows that comply with the above requirements (“Qualified Deals”), we will be paid for airing shows as follows:

(1)   For the WPT, $500,000 for each Qualified Deal up to five (5) per Season, in a primary country and $125,000 for each Qualified Deal in a secondary or remaining primary country (i.e., any primary country other than the initial five (5) described above), per Season, with maximum payments to us of $5 million for Season Four, $6 million for Season Five and $7 million for Season Six of the WPT.

(2)   For the PPT, $200,000 for each defined Qualified Deal up to five (5) per Season, in a primary country for Season One of the PPT and $300,000 for each Qualified Deal, up to five (5) per Season for Seasons Two and Three of the PPT, and $100,000 for each qualified deal in a secondary or remaining primary country, with maximum payments to us of $3 million for Season One, $4 million for Season Two and $5 million for Season Three of the PPT.

We generally will be paid 25% of the applicable fee upon executing a qualified deal with a broadcaster, 25% upon the initial broadcast of an episode of a Season, and 50% upon the initial broadcast of the tenth episode.

As of the date of this report, we have entered into one qualified deal in a primary country for Season One of the PPT series.

Regional Tours

We are also evaluating opportunities to leverage our business model and the World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour brands to create regional tours with the same format internationally. For example, we have entered into a format agreement with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the largest integrated media and entertainment company in the Philippines, and Balmoral Productions, a Canadian company, in an effort to organize a Canadian regional tour event. We have already held a successful WPT tour event at Fallsview Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls. We are also in discussions with casinos in Europe, Asia and Australia regarding the creation of a WPT-branded tour in those territories and are in the process of determining whether these tours would be financially viable business opportunities for us.

Member Casino Affiliations

In establishing and building the WPT circuit of tournaments, we have entered into written agreements with all of our member casinos except Aviation Club De France, which currently participates under an unwritten arrangement. Under these agreements, the casino is responsible for conducting its annual poker tournament, and the member casino pays us a yearly hosting fee to have the tournament included as a tour stop on the WPT circuit. The agreements were originally for a term of five years and, although some member casinos have a bilateral option, most of the agreements provided us with a unilateral option to renew on the same terms for another five years. In September 2004, we exercised our right to renew most of these agreements for an additional five years. In each year after its first year of participation, the member casino may elect to withdraw its tournament from the World Poker Tour and terminate the agreement by giving us notice by a specified date or, if earlier, a specified length of time (generally four to six months) prior to the date of the tournament. To date, four member casinos that have hosted WPT tour stops have chosen to no longer participate as hosts of WPT events. We have subsequently replaced each of these venues with additional tour stops, and do not believe that their withdrawal has had a significant impact on the quality of the tour or on our business. While the agreement is in effect and for varying periods of time thereafter, the member casino is prohibited from televising the tournament itself, permitting any third party to televise the tournament or licensing its name, trademarks or likeness to any other party in conjunction with the telecast of a poker tournament.

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WPT ONLINE GAMING

Our Online Gaming Website

WPTonline.com, our WPT-branded online gaming website, features an online poker room and an online casino with a broad selection of slots and table games. Although any Internet user can access WPTonline.com via the World Wide Web, the website does not permit bets to be made from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTonline.com showcases a WPT-branded poker room featuring ring games, as well as Sit and Go and multi-table tournaments for poker games including Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, and 7 Card Hi-Lo. Additionally, the site features an online casino with a broad selection of slots and table games, including WagerWorks’ exclusive online titles Monopoly™, Wheel of Fortune®, and The Price is Right™.

We originally launched our gaming website in 2005 through an arrangement with WagerWorks, under which WagerWorks has operated the website and received a percentage of our net revenues from the site. In 2006, as a result of our desire to control the design and operation of the online poker room, we decided to develop our own software for the website and transition out of the arrangement with WagerWorks. We have been spending significant time, effort and expense to develop the software and build the infrastructure outside the United States to enable us to develop, manage, market and handle customer service for the online poker business. In June 2006 we began to develop a base of operations in Nahariya, Israel. This location provides us with an affordable, legal location to operate the online gaming site, in a highly developed country with a large pool of well-trained technical employees to operate the site. Currently we have 17 employees located in the Nahariya office engaged in the development of our online gaming site. Additionally, we are investing in facilities and personnel in Jerusalem to handle customer service and poker room operations. There are currently 13 employees in the Jerusalem location. We expect to re-launch the website during the second quarter of 2007.

Our software development efforts with CyberArts Licensing, LLC, as described below, and other technology and software providers will focus on delivering what we think will be a best in class online poker and gaming product that will reflect our high standards for the WPT brand, along with unique features and content that we believe will differentiate our online gaming offerings from our competitors. We have been licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (“AGCC”) and our main servers will be located in Guernsey. We will adhere to all AGCC guidelines and abide by the regulations of each country where we accept wagers. Although any Internet user can access worldpokertour.com via the World Wide Web, we will continue to adhere to our long standing policy that does not permit bets to be made from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions.

WagerWorks Agreement

Under our 2005 agreement with WagerWorks, we granted to WagerWorks a license to utilize the WPT brand to create a gaming website. Until July 10, 2006, WagerWorks received between 25-30% (depending on the amount of revenue generated) of all net revenue it collected from the operation of the online casino and 25% of all net revenue it collected from the operation of the online poker room. At that time, the agreement was amended to permit us to (i) own and operate our own online poker room, and (ii) offer multi-player real-money poker gaming via cellular phone using software provided by Cecure Gaming (formerly 3G Scene Limited). In addition, the amendment specified a termination date for WagerWorks’ operation of our online poker room on the earlier to occur of (i) August 1, 2007, (ii) thirty (30) days following our request to terminate operation of the online poker room, or (iii) sixty (60) days following WagerWorks’ notice that it will terminate its operation of the online poker room. Furthermore, we agreed that WagerWorks could increase its share of revenue derived from the operation of the online poker room to 75% from the original 25% to provide added incentive to WagerWorks to provide a quality

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online poker room during the transition by us to the operation of our own online poker room. All other terms associated with the online casino that were contained within the original agreement remain the same.

During the term of our agreement, we have the right to control WagerWorks’ use of our intellectual property, and WagerWorks has the full responsibility for maintaining and providing technical support for the online casino and poker room, collecting and disbursing funds, ensuring that users are not located in restricted jurisdictions, resolving customer complaints, maintaining all required gaming or other regulatory permits or licensing needed to operate the site, and all other day-to-day responsibilities of managing WPTonline.com. We are responsible for the marketing, promotion and advertising of WPTonline.com.

Software Agreements for our Online Poker and Casino Room

On June 21, 2006, we entered into and executed a Source Code License and Service Agreement (effective as of June 16, 2006) with CyberArts Licensing, LLC, or CyberArts, pursuant to which CyberArts granted to us a perpetual, non-exclusive and nontransferable license for the object code of certain poker software and related banking and cardroom management software tools that we are using for the development of our own online poker room. We paid CyberArts a one-time license fee of $1.3 million for the software upon the execution of the agreement, as well as a payment of $180,000 for the first year of CyberArts’ support and maintenance for the software. During the term of the CyberArts agreement, we are obligated to pay CyberArts an annual fee of $180,000, subject to annual increases of up to a maximum of 9% in each year, for continuing support and maintenance, payable on the anniversary of the effective date of the agreement. We also have the right to purchase the source code for the software at any time during the term of the CyberArts agreement for an additional $2.7 million.

In addition to the CyberArts software for poker, in January 2007, we entered into a software license agreement with Orbis Technology Limited. In exchange for the software license, Orbis will be entitled to receive a percentage of net gaming revenues.

Mobile Gaming Investment and Licensing Agreement

On July 12, 2006, we entered into and executed a licensing agreement with Cecure Gaming (formerly 3G Scene Limited), pursuant to which we granted Cecure a non-exclusive license to use the World Poker Tour brand in conjunction with the promotion of its real-money mobile gaming applications. Cecure designs and operates software and other products that enable it or its licensees to offer gaming services to customers via mobile devices. Pursuant to the agreement, Cecure will offer real-money mobile games solely in jurisdictions where such gaming is not restricted. In consideration for the license, we shall be entitled to 50% of Cecure’s net revenues. On July 31, 2006, we acquired a 10% ownership interest in Cecure for approximately $2.9 million in cash.

WPT CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Based on the popularity of the WPT series and the increasing recognition of the WPT brand, we have licensed our brand to third parties to produce consumer products bearing the World Poker Tour name and/or logo, such as branded casino games and DVD and video products featuring our series episodes and related content. We will continue to access this market though the licensing of our brand to companies seeking to leverage the appeal of the WPT in the retail sales of their consumer products and through direct sales of our branded merchandise.

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Third Party Consumer Products

We have engaged Brandgenuity, an experienced brand licensing company, to pursue a licensing program and negotiate licensing agreements aimed at capitalizing on poker in the U.S. We have also engaged two international brand licensing companies to explore foreign licensing opportunities in Europe and Australia. To date, we have executed agreements pursuant to which we are licensing the World Poker Tour name and logo to over 30 licensees. We have generated significant revenues from a few select licensees including:

·       Hands-On Mobile—mobile games

·       MDI—instant win lottery games

·       US Playing Card—playing cards, poker chips and accessories

We also have a number of licensees that are developing and launching new licensed products including electronic, casino-based poker-related gaming machines from IGT, and interactive television games from Pixel Play. IGT’s machines and Pixel Play’s interactive television game launched during the 4th quarter of 2006.

We have entered into a license agreement with Lakes Entertainment, Inc., our majority stockholder, pursuant to which Lakes Entertainment obtained a license to utilize the WPT name and logo in connection with a WPT No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em casino game that Lakes Entertainment has developed using certain intellectual property rights of Sklansky Games, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, we are entitled to receive a specified minimum annual royalty payment or 10% of the gross revenue received by Lakes Entertainment from its sale or lease of this casino game once initial manufacturing costs are recouped, whichever is greater. We have separate agreements with Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, our current on-air talent, and Shana Hiatt, our former host, pursuant to which each of them allows his or her video endorsements to be integrated into the table game. In exchange, each is entitled to 5% of the license fees we receive from table games that utilize his or her respective video endorsements (up to a total of 15% if video endorsements of all three are integrated). The WPT No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em casino game has been approved by certain gaming regulators and entered the casino marketplace in December 2005.

Branded Merchandise and worldpokertour.com

In addition to DVD collections of our television episodes, we offer many of our branded consumer products for sale on our online store. We plan to continue expanding our online consumer product offerings in hopes of accelerating this revenue source in the future.

In addition, we have focused efforts and resources in support of our Interactive (web-based) group. Worldpokertour.com is becoming a key element of our branding, content, and community strategy online. We continue to upgrade our technology infrastructure to handle anticipated growth. Content enhancements in 2006 include expanded tournament coverage, our Live Updates report on the tournament action through weblogs (called “blogs”), photography, and chip counts.

In October 2006, we launched the WPT Academy™, a web-based poker education center that uses authentic poker play to provide an interactive learning tool for both the experienced and novice alike. The WPT Academy leverages our database of over 1,700 hands of poker filmed at our final tables during Season One of the WPT, including over 900 hands that were actually shown on the air on the Travel Channel as a learning tool in connection with the following features of the WPT Academy:

·       HandSim™: HandSim is a sophisticated hand search engine and simulator that utilizes data from our WPT Cams, including bets, physical motions and play-by-play details to aid players in determining hole card values, odds percentages, the advantages of positional play in poker, or other poker learning tips.

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·       Video Sessions with the Pros: These are short video tutorials hosted by stars of the WPT covering a variety of poker topics.

·       Interactive Community:  Poker fans can log in to WPT Academy’s online community to discuss poker hands, analyze and rank poker hands, or otherwise discuss the game of poker.

·       Follow your Favorites:  This feature allows poker fans to track the play of their favorite players that have been at a WPT final table.

As a result of these improvements, we began to recognize advertising/sponsorship revenue during 2006, and expect to derive revenues from online subscriptions as the database of unique content grows.

WPT CORPORATE ALLIANCES

Sponsorships

Based on the success of the WPT’s programming, WPT Corporate Alliances launched a sponsorship program based on the traditional professional sports model that grants entitlement sponsorship opportunities pursuant to which a company’s product may be identified as an “official” product of the WPT and “naming rights” that entitle one company to be the sole sponsor of an entire WPT season. If an acceptable sponsor ever acquires naming rights, in subsequent seasons, we are required to remit to the Travel Channel 10% of the subsequent season-over-season increases in the adjusted gross revenue we receive from the sponsor on account of these naming rights. Also under the Travel Channel agreement, we are permitted to incorporate an entitlement sponsorship into the World Poker Tour televised program as long as the Travel Channel reasonably consents to the sponsor and the sponsor purchases a minimum amount of advertising from the Travel Channel. We do not share in any advertising revenue paid to the Travel Channel from our sponsors. We have also granted the Travel Channel an exclusive right to sell audio-visual sponsorships, other than naming rights, to be integrated into our programming; and we have agreed to cooperate with the Travel Channel in order to accomplish this integration. We are not entitled to share in the Travel Channel’s proceeds from such sponsorship sales. Under our agreement with the Travel Channel for the Professional Poker Tour television series, all sponsorship integration agreements require mutual approval by both Travel Channel and us.

Anheuser-Busch became our first corporate sponsor in November 2003 when we entered into a beverage sponsorship agreement covering Season Two of the World Poker Tour. Under the agreement, Anheuser-Busch paid us a sponsorship fee in exchange for the designation of Anheuser-Busch’s “Anheuser World Select” beer as the “official beer” of the World Poker Tour and, in addition, Anheuser-Busch purchased at least the minimum amount of advertising from the Travel Channel, in which we do not share. The agreement also entitled Anheuser-Busch to visible logo placements on the final table felt and on banners at World Poker Tour tournaments, sole sponsorship rights to the celebratory toast at the conclusion of each tournament and logo and links privileges on our Internet website, among other sponsorship elements. In January 2005, we entered into a beverage sponsorship agreement covering Season Three of the World Poker Tour. The agreement is similar to that for Season Two, with the exception of the designation of Anheuser-Busch’s “Michelob AmberBock” beer as the “official beer” of the World Poker Tour. During the third quarter of 2005, Anheuser-Busch announced that its sponsorship in Season Four will now feature its largest brand, Budweiser, as the “official beer” of the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel. During the third quarter of 2006, we completed an agreement with Anheuser-Busch to continue its sponsorship for Season Five of the WPT.

During the second quarter of 2006, we finalized a sponsorship agreement with Xyience, Inc., a non-alcoholic energy drink developer and distributor, to promote its product as the “official energy drink” of Seasons Five and Six of the WPT. In addition, during the 4th quarter of 2006, we completed an agreement

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with Blue Diamond Almonds to sponsor the WPT Season Five Championship in April 2007 at the Bellagio, and run in-store retail promotions driving customers to our tour events.

WPT Events

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, not for actual gaming. Some of the ways customers will be able to incorporate the WPT into their events are for sales meetings, product launches, vendor programs, incentive programs and client parties.

Significant Customer

Approximately 60% of our company’s total revenues since inception were derived from license fees under our agreements with the Travel Channel. Therefore, our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to fund our operations is heavily dependent on these agreements. Due to the exclusive nature of the license, we expect our financial results to remain heavily dependent on our agreements with the Travel Channel throughout its term. On May 1, 2006, the Travel Channel notified us that it had chosen to not exercise its option for Season Two and subsequent seasons of the PPT. Also as stated above, the Travel Channel has not yet exercised its option covering Season Six of the World Poker Tour.

Our Growth Strategy

We plan to expand the popularity and reach of the WPT brand. We intend to focus on the continued growth of WPT tournaments and the live events that surround them. Along with our member casinos, we will attempt to increase the players and prize pools that we have experienced to date. Having already established WPT tour stops as premier poker tournaments both in and outside the U.S., our goal is to continue to build these events into major regional, national and international destinations, drawing a broad array of players, spectators and media. As the visibility of our brand continues to grow, we believe that we will be better positioned to market our non-US international online gaming efforts as well as continue to expand the distribution of our consumer products and further establish the WPT circuit of tournaments.

We also intend to continue our expansion of the WPT brand into international markets through increased international distribution of our current programming. For example, in December 2006, we entered a sponsorship agreement with PartyGaming whereby PartyGaming agreed to pay us for certain promotional integrations in our television programs in the international (i.e., non-US) markets. In addition to providing a potentially significant source of revenue, we believe the agreement will allow us to leverage the advertising resources of PartyGaming which may lead to our programs being aired in larger broadcast markets and the securing of better broadcast time slots. We retained the right to incorporate our own branding and other audio and graphic integration into the shows and are entitled to purchase up to one-third of all available advertising inventory available to PartyGaming at the same rate PartyGaming receives.

It is our intention to leverage the popularity and broad international reach of our television programming in the online gaming market overseas to drive players to our WPT-branded real money gaming website, which prohibits bets from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. To facilitate our international growth, in 2006 we decided to re-launch our online poker room site by developing our own software and our own international capabilities to operate the website. We believe that on-air promotion of the worldpokertour.com via international World Poker Tour television telecasts will continue to be the primary marketing tool for driving poker players to the website. In addition, our agreement with PartyGaming partners us with a well-known name in the online gaming market, which we believe will increase the visibility of the WPT brand and worldpokertour.com due to our combined marketing and advertising abilities.

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We also intend to further expand our brand reach through the creation of regional poker circuits throughout the world. After entering the regional tour market in the Philippines through a format licensing deal with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the largest integrated media and entertainment company in the Philippines, we have now entered a production deal with Balmoral Productions for the organization of a regional tour in Canada that will complement our newest International Tour Stop at Fallsview Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls.

Our web presence has been redesigned and it is our intention to use our site as a tool to reach out to the poker community as we continue to grow.  In October 2006, we launched the WPT Academy, an interactive, educational web experience that allows players to benefit from our large database of tournament play that did or did not make it into our television programs. As we continue to expand our Academy with video content, professional tutorials and guidance, we will focus on our goal of creating the premiere location for all things poker on the internet.  We plan to use our site as a vehicle to put visitors in touch with all aspects of our business.

Competition

In the market for televised poker tournaments, we compete with producers of several poker-related programs, including the “World Series of Poker,” an annual event hosted by Harrah’s that airs on ESPN, and the Poker Superstars Invitational and the Poker Dome Challenge on Fox. Additional poker-related programs include High Stakes Poker on the Game Show Network and Poker After Dark and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship on NBC. In 2005, Harrah’s created the World Series of Poker national circuit, taking place at several casinos operated by Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. throughout the US. All circuit championships events are currently taped for telecast on ESPN. These and other producers of poker-related programming may be well established and may have significantly greater resources than we do. One of the ways that the WPT series differentiates our programming schedule from these competing shows is by airing the WPT series in prime time television during the same timeslot each week. We believe that this type of “appointment” television helps build a following among viewers. In addition to other poker-related programs, the WPT series also competes with televised sporting events, reality-based television programming and other televised programming that airs during the same timeslot.

Our online real-money gaming website, WPTonline.com, launched at the end of the second quarter of 2005. The website does not accept bets made from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTonline.com faces competition from several larger, more experienced and established online gaming websites, including PartyPoker.com, PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com and many others. These and other competitors have significant marketing and operational experience advantages over us. In addition, in October 2006, Congress passed, and the President signed, the SAFE Port Act which included in it the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. Several of our large competitors have stopped accepting bets from U.S. players as a result of the Act, which may lead to those competitors focusing more closely on the international market for players, creating additional competition for us to face. To the extent our competitors continue to accept bets from players in the U.S., where the bulk of the world’s poker players are located, those competitors will continue to have a significant advantage since our online gaming site will not permit bets from U.S. players. We plan to differentiate our site by leveraging the strength of the World Poker Tour brand and the distribution reach of our international television division and through our international sponsorship agreement with PartyGaming. We believe that the resulting brand awareness will help build a following among international online players.

Regulation

The WPT and Professional Poker Tour tournaments are conducted by the host casinos and cardrooms, and we believe we are not subject to government gaming regulation in connection with our affiliation with and telecasts of these events. Our online gaming website, WPTonline.com, is subject to gaming regulation outside the U.S. and is licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, located

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in the United Kingdom’s Channel Islands. The website is currently operated solely by WagerWorks, which is obligated to ensure that WPTonline.com does not accept bets from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. While we believe that WagerWorks will be in compliance with all international regulations, we cannot be certain that WagerWorks will be allowed to accept wagers in all the markets we plan to enter. After we re-launch the online poker room, we will be responsible for ensuring that the website does not accept bets from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions.

We continue to monitor the legality of Internet gaming in domestic and international jurisdictions, but cannot be certain that changes in existing regulations will be beneficial to the online gaming market. Additionally, we anticipate that on-air promotion of WPTonline.com via international WPT and Professional Poker Tour television telecasts and through our relationship with PartyGaming will be a primary marketing tool for driving poker players to the site. However, certain territories and foreign networks may restrict us from incorporating marketing elements related to our online site into our international telecast and certain laws or regulations may restrict the type of advertising in general in those territories.

Intellectual Property

We have registered the trademark “World Poker Tour” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on the supplemental register in connection with entertainment services and electronic and scientific apparatus and on the principal register in connection with clothing, playing cards and poker chips, and housewares and glass. Other registered marks around the world include: “Battle of Champions” in the U.S.; “Card Design” in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela; “Hollywood Home Games” in the U.S.; “Ladies’ Night” in the U.S.; “Latin American Poker Tour” in Peru; “Poker Walk of Fame” in the U.S.; “PPT” in the U.S. and Europe; “PPT & Design” in the U.S.; “World Poker Tour” in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Europe, Peru and Puerto Rico; “World Poker Tour & Design” in Europe; “WPT” in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico; “WPT Boot Camp” in the U.S.; “WPT Poker Corner” in the U.S. and Europe; “WPT World Poker Tour & Design” in Europe, Korea and the U.S.; WPTonline.com in Europe; and WPTonline.net in Europe. We also have U.S. federal trademark applications pending for the following additional marks: “Bad Boys of Poker,” “Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship,” “Million Dollar Bingo,” “Professional Poker Tour,” “Professional Poker Tour PPT & Design,” “WHRT,,” “World Horse Racing Tour,” “WPT Academy,” and “WPTonline.” In addition, we have trademark applications pending for the “World Poker Tour,” “World Poker Tour & Design,” and “WPT World Poker Tour & Design” marks in various classes in Canada. We have trademark applications pending for “World Poker Tour” and for “WPT” in two additional countries. We have registered approximately 650 Internet domain names, including the following: www.worldpokertour.com; worldpokertour.net; worldpokertour.biz; wptonline.com; and wptonline.net. We also have proprietary rights to our portfolio of registered and unregistered copyrighted materials, which includes the episodes of the televised programming that we produce, subject to licenses related to these episodes provided under our agreement with the Travel Channel and our international telecast license agreements, as well as the WPT Academy database and online videos.

We currently have two U.S. patent applications and international patent applications pending. The two patent applications relate to (1) a specially designed poker table that uses integral lighting, and (2) a method for exhibiting a card game in a video format. We believe that our special poker table is conducive to television recording in a way that is superior to other poker tables. We further believe that our method for exhibiting video and graphics on a television screen provides viewers with an individualized perspective of each player’s cards. Together, these technologies are designed to heighten the on-screen drama of tournament poker play.

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We believe that several competitive poker-related television programs use exhibition methods and technology that might infringe on one or more claims of our pending patent applications. We have issued letters to some of the producers of these programs, notifying them that we have intellectual property rights in such technology and that we intend to vigorously enforce such rights in order to protect our proprietary processes. These and other producers of poker-related programming may be well established and may have significantly greater resources than we do.

It is our policy to require each of our employees, consultants, crew members, and other persons rendering services in connection with our television programs and other business divisions to execute an agreement which contains both a (i) confidentiality provision pursuant to which each such person agrees not to disclose confidential and proprietary information, and (ii) “work made for hire” provision pursuant to which each such person agrees that any intellectual property developed in connection with WPTE projects by such person during the course of his or her employment (or, if not an employee, during the term of such person’s engagement) is created on a “work made for hire” basis and is owned by us.

Employees

As of December 31, 2006, we had 88 full-time employees. We utilize a number of production and marketing personnel on a temporary basis to assist in the production of the WPT and Professional Poker Tour television series. We also have agreements with Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten and Sabina Gadecki, our current on-air talent for the WPT, and have agreements with Mark Seif and Matt Corboy, our current on-air talent for the Professional Poker Tour.

Our post production group is currently operating under a collective bargaining agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). We consider our relationships with our employees to be satisfactory.

Item 1A.                Risk Factors

In addition to factors discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following are important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company.

Risks Related to Our Business

The development and operation of our own online poker room may be costly and time consuming and may never be successful.

In the first half of 2006, our management and Board of Directors decided that we should develop and operate our own online poker room, rather than rely on a third party vendor, as we have done since early 2005. We have been expending significant time, energy and funds to develop the additional software necessary for an online poker room and to develop the capabilities necessary to operate this business. While we believe that the operation of our own online poker room will grant us more flexibility and quality control over the operation of our online poker room, the development of the website and the banking, customer service, marketing and information technology requirements associated therewith is certain to be costly and may divert management’s attention from operating other, more stable areas of our business. Development and operating costs may exceed our expectations, and the re-launch of the online poker room may be delayed. We will also need to hire additional employees and engage contractors with the necessary expertise to develop and operate the online poker room. Additionally, there is no way to predict whether or not we can develop the requisite core of regular users of our proposed online poker room to make the online poker room profitable. Further, if the website does not perform as expected, this could damage our ability to maintain our base of users.

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The revenues we receive under our agreements with the Travel Channel and Discovery Communications have been and continue to be our most significant source of revenue, and if the Travel Channel does not elect to continue airing the WPT series, our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

The license fees we receive from the Travel Channel have been and will continue to be our most significant source of revenue, comprising approximately 60% of our total historical revenues. On May 1, 2006, the Travel Channel notified us that it had chosen to not exercise its option for Season Two and subsequent seasons of the PPT. Further, we were unable to arrive at economic terms with the Travel Channel for the broadcast rights for Season Six prior to the original option deadline of March 10, 2007, and have extended the option period to April 1, 2007, and we continue to negotiate. These economic terms have not yet been finalized but are expected to differ from the terms for previous seasons. There is no assurance that the Travel Channel will exercise its option to air Season Six. Further, if the Travel Channel does not elect to continue airing the WPT series and we cannot maintain or replace our agreements with the Travel Channel with comparable license agreements, it will be detrimental to the viability of the WPT and PPT brands and, consequently, would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and, ultimately, the price of our common stock. Although we have attempted to find a new broadcast partner for the PPT going forward, we may never find a new broadcast partner for the PPT. Even if we find a broadcast partner for the PPT, there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so on terms that are favorable to the Company.

Our agreements with the Travel Channel grants rights to the Travel Channel that could impact the value of our WPT and Professional Poker Tour brands and place some limits on our growth.

While we believe our agreements with the Travel Channel are favorable for us, the agreements grant the Travel Channel certain rights that could impact the value of our WPT and Professional Poker Tour brands and place some limits on our growth. For example:

·       If we elect to discontinue organizing tour stops under the WPT name, the Travel Channel will have a right of first negotiation and last refusal to acquire all of our rights to continue such activities. This right of first negotiation and last refusal may hinder our ability to negotiate with other parties who may be interested in purchasing these rights and, as a result, could negatively impact the consideration we may receive upon any attempt by us to exercise these rights.

·       If the Travel Channel exercises its options for Seasons Six and Seven of the WPT, and provided that the Travel Channel is not in material breach of the agreement, the Travel Channel will have an exclusive right of first negotiation and last refusal with respect to the development and/or production of any additional programs covering or presenting WPT tournaments.

·       While we have retained worldwide television rights to telecast WPT and PPT episodes outside the U.S. and the right to pursue other business activities related to the WPT and PPT events and brands, the Travel Channel has the right to receive 15% of our adjusted gross revenues from all DVD and home video sales, merchandising and publishing activities and international television licenses.

·       As is customary in most production agreements with television networks, the Travel Channel retains final edit rights over the WPT and PPT programs that we produce. If the Travel Channel exercises these rights in a manner that diminishes the quality of our programs or negatively affects relationships that are important to our programming, including those with the casinos hosting the poker tournaments at which we film our shows, its actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow and, ultimately, the price of our common stock.

18




·       In the event we secure a naming rights sponsorship for the WPT television series, we are required to remit to the Travel Channel 10% of the season-over-season increases in the adjusted gross revenue we receive from the sponsor for these naming rights.

·       We are permitted to incorporate an entitlement sponsorship into the WPT televised episodes as long as the Travel Channel reasonably consents to the sponsor and the sponsor purchases a minimum amount of advertising from the Travel Channel. We do not share in any advertising revenue paid to the Travel Channel from our sponsors. We granted the Travel Channel an exclusive right to sell audio-visual sponsorships, other than naming rights, to be integrated into our programming, and we have agreed to cooperate with the Travel Channel in order to accomplish this integration. We are not entitled to share in the Travel Channel’s proceeds from such sponsorship sales.

·       With respect to both the WPT and PPT television series, we are subject to holdback provisions that extend beyond the license period for each season. These holdback periods may impact our ability to resell this programming into secondary markets in the U.S. or the timing of such sales.

Any future license agreements with other licensees for our television series are likely to have similar or other provisions that could impact the value of our brands and limit our growth.

Our success depends on our current brand and any future brands we may develop, and if the value of our brands were to diminish, our business would be adversely affected.

Our success depends on our current WPT brand, which consists of a portfolio of trademarks, service marks and copyrighted materials, and the development of other brands, such as the PPT. The Travel Channel’s decision not to renew its option for future seasons of the PPT may hurt our ability to develop the PPT brand or to find a new broadcast partner for the PPT. Our portfolio includes, but is not limited to, existing and future episodes of the televised programming produced in connection with our existing and future brands and certain elements of these episodes, trade names and other intellectual property rights and any future brands we develop. In connection with our branding and licensing operations, we have entered into an agreement with Brandgenuity LLC to seek licensing opportunities for the WPT brand. While specific contractual provisions require that the licensees brought to us by Brandgenuity maintain the quality of our brands, we cannot be certain that our licensees or their manufacturers and distributors will honor their contractual obligations or that they will not take other actions that will diminish the value of our brand prior to our ability to detect and prevent any such actions.

There is a risk that we may not be able to protect the format of our episodes, our current and future brands and our other proprietary rights.

We are susceptible to others imitating our television show format and other products and infringing on our intellectual property rights. We currently believe that several competitive poker-related television programs use exhibition methods and technology that might infringe on one or more claims of our pending patent applications. We have issued letters to some of the producers of these programs, notifying them that we have intellectual property rights in such technology, and that we intend to vigorously enforce such rights in order to protect our proprietary processes. These and other producers of poker-related programming may be well established and may have significantly greater resources than we do. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights and to determine the validity and scope of our proprietary rights. Any litigation could result in substantial expense, may reduce our profits and may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights upon which we are substantially dependent. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not always protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Imitation of our television show formats and other products or infringement of our

19




intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brands or otherwise adversely affect our revenues.

Any litigation or claims against us based upon our intellectual property or other third party rights, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and harm our reputation. In addition, such litigation or claims could force us to do one or more of the following: to cease exploitation of our television series and related products or portions thereof that violate the potentially infringed third party rights or intellectual property, which would adversely affect our revenue; to negotiate a license from the holder of the intellectual property or other right alleged to have been infringed, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all; or to modify our television series and related products or portions thereof to avoid infringing the intellectual property or other rights of a third party, which may be costly and time-consuming or impossible to accomplish.

Early termination of our agreements with member casinos or violation by member casinos of the restrictive covenants contained in these agreements could negatively affect the size of telecast audiences and lead to declines in the performance of all of our other lines of business.

We have entered into written agreements with all of the “member casinos” that host the World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour tour stops except Aviation Club de France, located in Paris, France, which currently participates as a tour stop under an unwritten arrangement. The WPT agreements were originally for a term of five years and, although some member casinos have a bilateral option, most of the agreements provided us with a unilateral option to renew on the same terms for another five years. In September 2004, we exercised our right to renew most of these agreements. However, in each year after its first year of participation, the member casino may elect to withdraw its tournament from the World Poker Tour lineup and terminate the agreement by giving us notice by a specified date or, if earlier, a specified length of time before the date of the tournament, which is generally four to six months. While the agreement is in effect and for varying periods of time thereafter, the member casino is prohibited from televising the tournament itself, permitting any third party to televise the tournament or licensing its name, trademarks or likeness to any other party in conjunction with the telecast of a poker tournament. If a significant number of these casinos were to terminate the agreements and/or allow a competing company to telecast their tournaments in violation of these restrictions or after their expiration for the restricted time period, this could result in a decline in our future telecast audiences, which in turn would lead to declines in the performance and success of our other lines of business. For the first season of the PPT, each member casino signed an agreement covering only one event. We anticipate executing new agreements with each member casino that participates in any subsequent seasons of the Professional Poker Tour.

To date, four member casinos that have hosted World Poker Tour tour stops have chosen to no longer participate as hosts of World Poker Tour events. We have subsequently replaced each of these venues with additional tour stops, and do not believe that their withdrawal has had a significant impact on the quality of the Tour or on our business.

Termination or impairment of our relationships with key licensing and strategic partners could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

We have developed relationships with key strategic partners in many areas of our business, including poker tournament event sponsorship, merchandise licensing, corporate sponsorship, Internet gaming development and international distribution. We hope to derive significant income from our licensing arrangements, and our agreements with our strategic partners are vital to finding these licensing arrangements. If we were to fail to manage our existing licensing relationships, this failure could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We would also be materially adversely affected if we were to lose our rights under any of our other key contracts or if the counterparty

20




to any of these contracts were to breach its obligations to us. We rely on a limited number of contracts under which third parties provide us with services vital to our business. These agreements include:

·       our agreement with PartyGaming, pursuant to which PartyGaming agreed to pay us fees for sponsoring international broadcasts of our programming in international territories (i.e., non-U.S.), subject to certain requirements regarding the type and amount of advertising and branding we are able to provide them; and;

·       our agreement with Brandgenuity LLC, pursuant to which it negotiates third party consumer product licensing agreements;

·       our agreement with WagerWorks, pursuant to which WagerWorks operates and manages our WPT-branded real-money gaming website, WPTonline.com. The website is designed not to accept bets from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. Players in these jurisdictions may play on a play-for-free version of WPTonline.com. During 2006, we entered into an agreement with WagerWorks pursuant to which we will transition our online poker room currently operated by WagerWorks over to an online poker room operated and maintained by us. We cannot be assured that the transition to our own online poker room will not affect our relationship with WagerWorks with respect to the ongoing operations of the non-poker online casino or whether the transition to our own online poker room will result in a material adverse impact to our online gaming business.

·       our agreements with Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc., pursuant to which it identifies potential licensees and negotiates licenses to telecast the World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour television programs on television networks outside of the U.S. However, in December 2006, we notified Alfred Haber that they would no longer be the international distributor for WPT Season Four and PPT Season One, or for any future WPT and PPT seasons. As a result, the Company will utilize its internal staff and PartyGaming’s resources to distribute all future WPT and PPT episodes into the international marketplace.

If our relationship with any of these or certain other third parties were to be interrupted, or the services provided by any of these third parties were to be delayed or deteriorate for any reason without being adequately replaced, our business could be materially adversely affected. If we are forced to find a replacement for any of these strategic partners, this could create disruption in our business and may result in reduced revenues, increased costs or diversion of management’s attention and resources.

In addition, while we have significant control over our licensed products and advertising, we do not have operational and financial control over these third parties, and we have limited influence with respect to the manner in which they conduct their businesses. If any of these strategic partners experiences a significant downturn in its business or were otherwise unable to honor its obligations to us, our business could be materially disrupted.

Our further expansion into foreign markets will subject us to additional business risks.

In connection with re-launching our online poker room, we have significantly expanded our international presence, and we intend to continue expanding these operations. Currently we have 30 employees in Israel, and we intend to expand this presence significantly in 2007. We intend to further expand our business in foreign markets in other ways, including continued international distribution of our U.S. telecasts, creating additional poker tours in foreign countries and distributing branded merchandise in foreign countries. Our international operations could be adversely affected by changes in political and economic conditions, trade protection measures and the status of regulatory requirements that may restrict the sales of our products, increase costs of foreign production or other costs that prohibit Internet gaming

21




activities in international jurisdictions. Also, changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could potentially result in significant increases in our costs or decreases in our earnings.

We will face a variety of risks as we expand into new or complementary businesses in the future.

Our core operations have consisted of marketing, promoting and licensing our televised entertainment, selling, or licensing the right to manufacture and sell, our branded merchandise and the marketing and promotion of our WPT-branded real-money gaming website, WPTonline.com. Our current strategic objectives include not only further development and enhancement of our existing business but also the entry into new or complementary businesses, such as expansion of our current business operations into international markets and the development of poker-related educational content, such as our launch of the WPT Academy. We are also exploring other opportunities to leverage the World Poker Tour brand, including the potential development of additional television programming. The following risks associated with expanding into new or complementary businesses by investment, licensing, acquisition, strategic alliance, co-production or other arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition and the price of our common stock:

·       potential diversion of management’s attention and resources from our existing business and an inability to recruit or develop the necessary management resources to manage new businesses;

·       unanticipated liabilities or contingencies from new or complementary businesses or ventures;

·       potential operating losses from new business ventures;

·       reduced earnings due to potential goodwill impairment charges, increased interest costs and additional costs related to the integration of acquisitions;

·       potential reallocations of resources due to the growing complexity of our business and strategy;

·       competition from companies engaged in the new or complementary businesses that we are entering;

·       possible additional regulatory requirements and compliance costs;

·       dilution of our stockholders’ percentage ownership or an increase of our leverage when issuing equity or convertible debt securities or incurring debt; and

·       potential unavailability on acceptable terms, or at all, of additional financing necessary for expansion.

The loss of the services of Steven Lipscomb or other key employees or on-air talent or our failure to attract key individuals would materially and adversely affect our business.

We are highly dependent on the services of Steven Lipscomb, who is the creator and Executive Producer of the WPT and Professional Poker Tour television series and currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. The provision of Mr. Lipscomb’s services in connection with our television series is required under our agreements with the Travel Channel. Although we have entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Lipscomb governing his employment through December 29, 2008 (unless either side reduces the term to December 29, 2007 by November 1, 2007), Mr. Lipscomb may elect to decrease the level of his involvement with us or terminate his employment altogether prior to the expiration of this term. A voluntary or involuntary termination of Mr. Lipscomb’s employment would result in a breach of our agreements with the Travel Channel and would have a material adverse effect on our business operations and negatively impact the market price of our common stock.

22




Our continued success is also dependent upon retention of other key management executives who have been instrumental in our success thus far and upon our ability to attract and retain employees and on-air talent to implement our corporate development strategy and our branding and licensing efforts. The loss of some of our senior executives, or an inability to attract or retain other key individuals, could materially adversely affect us. Growth in our business is dependent, to a large degree, on our ability to retain and attract such employees. We seek to compensate and provide incentives to our key executives, as well as other employees, through competitive salaries, stock ownership and bonus plans, but we can make no assurance that these programs will allow us to retain key employees or hire new employees. In addition, our future success may also be affected by the potential need to replace our key on-air talent at an inopportune time, such as midway through the tapings of a season of the WPT or PPT television programs.

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. remains the majority shareholder of the company and is able to effectively control our management and operations.

Lakes Entertainment, Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lakes Poker Tour, LLC, owns 12,480,000 shares of our outstanding common stock, representing approximately 61% of our voting power. Lakes Entertainment, together with our directors and executive officers, beneficially owns approximately 14,711,058 shares of our common stock, which represents approximately 69% of our voting power. As a result, Lakes Entertainment, either alone or together with our directors and executive officers, controls the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the future merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. Therefore, Lakes Entertainment indirectly controls our management through the election and removal of members of the Board of Directors. This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders. As a result, the return on your investment in our common stock through the market price of our common stock or ultimate sale of our business could be adversely affected.

Our board of directors’ ability to issue undesignated preferred stock and the existence of anti-takeover provisions may depress the value of our common stock.

Our authorized capital includes 20 million shares of undesignated preferred stock. Our board of directors has the power to issue any or all of the shares of preferred stock, including the authority to establish one or more series and to fix the powers, preferences, rights and limitations of such class or series, without seeking stockholder approval, subject to certain limitations on this power under Nasdaq listing requirements. Further, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law regarding “business combinations.” We may, in the future, consider adopting additional anti-takeover measures. The authority of our board to issue undesignated stock and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law, as well as any future anti-takeover measures adopted by us, may, in certain circumstances, delay, deter or prevent takeover attempts and other changes in control of the company not approved by our board of directors. As a result, our stockholders may lose opportunities to dispose of their shares at favorable prices generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal and the market price, voting and other rights of the holders of common stock may also be affected.

Risks Related to Our Industry

Our television programming may be unable to maintain a sufficient audience for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond our control.

Television production is a speculative business because revenues and income derived from television depend primarily upon the continued acceptance of that programming by the public, which is difficult to

23




predict. Public acceptance of particular programming is dependent upon, among other things, the quality of the programming, the strength of networks on which the programming is telecast, the promotion and scheduling of the programming and the quality and acceptance of competing television programming and other sources of entertainment and information. Popularity of programming can also be negatively impacted by excessive telecasting of the programming beyond viewers’ saturation thresholds. The WPT television series, while still one of the highest-rated shows on the Travel Channel, has had decreased Nielsen ratings in the past year due to an increasing number of competing poker-related shows. If the WPT television series is unable to maintain high ratings throughout the term of the Travel Channel agreement, the Travel Channel may elect not to exercise its options for additional episodes and seasons, in which event we may be unable to negotiate U.S. telecast license agreements on terms that are favorable, or at all.

Our ability to create and license our television programming profitably may be negatively affected by adverse trends that apply to the television production business generally.

Television revenues and income may be affected by a number of factors, many of which are not within our control. These factors include a general decline in television viewers, pricing pressure in the television advertising industry, strength of the stations on which our programming is telecast, general economic conditions, increases in production costs and availability of other forms of entertainment and leisure time activities. All of these factors, as well as others, may quickly change and these changes cannot be predicted with certainty. Our future licensing opportunities may also be adversely affected by these changes. Accordingly, if any of these changes were to occur, the revenues and income we generate from television programming could decline.

A decline in general economic conditions or the popularity of our brand of televised poker tournaments could adversely impact our business.

Because our operations are affected by general economic conditions and consumer tastes, our future success is unpredictable. The demand for entertainment and leisure activities tends to be highly sensitive to consumers’ disposable incomes and thus a decline in general economic conditions could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition and the price of our common stock. An economic decline could also adversely affect our corporate sponsorship business, sales of our branded merchandise and other aspects of our business.

The continued popularity of our type of entertainment is vital in maintaining the ability to leverage our brand and develop products or services that appeal to our target audiences, which, in turn, is important to our long-term results of operations. Public tastes are unpredictable and subject to change and may be affected by changes in the country’s political and social climate. A change in public opinion could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition and, ultimately, the price of our common stock.

The political or social climate regarding gaming and poker could negatively impact our ability to negotiate future telecast license arrangements and could negatively impact our chances of renewal.

Although the popularity of poker, in particular, and gaming, in general, has continued to grow in the U.S. and abroad, gaming has historically experienced backlash from various constituencies and communities. Currently, the legal operational status of Internet-based casinos and cardrooms remains unclear in some countries. The U.S. government has taken steps to curb activities that it believes constitutes unlawful online gaming, through legislation such as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 and through recent arrests of off-shore online gaming operators traveling in the U.S.

24




Based on the uncertain regulatory environment surrounding the marketing and promotion of Internet-based casinos and cardrooms to viewers in the U.S., the Travel Channel, which has final edit rights to the shows that it telecasts, has indicated it will likely not display the “dot com” names or logos of Internet-based casinos and cardrooms in its telecasts, although it has expressed a willingness to display names and logos from strictly play-for-free “dot net” websites from our member casinos. However, if the Travel Channel elected not to allow display of “dot net” logos within the series, we may not be able to attract other Internet-based casinos or to retain the existing online cardroom remaining on our tour. Additionally, increased regulatory scrutiny on Internet gambling sites may eliminate these sites as sources of advertising revenue for television networks that exhibit poker-related programming, thereby potentially impacting the value of such programming to these networks.

Government regulation of online gaming in foreign countries may restrict the activities or affect the financial results of our online venture that is under development.

The current WPTonline.com website is licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, and while we believe that WagerWorks is in compliance with all international Internet gaming regulations, we are currently reliant on WagerWorks for compliance with all applicable regulations, including ongoing verification that improper wagers are not placed on WPTonline.com. If WagerWorks’ compliance or verification is inadequate, regulators in the U.S. or other jurisdictions may impose fines or other sanctions or threaten or take other actions that could adversely affect our reputation and the revenues we derive from the license of rights to WagerWorks. After the termination of our relationship with WagerWorks with respect to WagerWorks’ operation of our online poker room, we will be solely responsible for complying with all international Internet gaming regulations in connection with any online poker room we operate independently. Therefore, any risks previously borne by WagerWorks in connection with operating our online poker room will become direct risks to us. We will be responsible for obtaining all gaming permits and licenses necessary to operate our own online poker room, which may be expensive and time consuming. We continue to monitor the legality of Internet gaming in domestic and international jurisdictions, but cannot be certain that changes in existing regulations will be beneficial to the online gaming market. Additionally, we expect that on-air promotion of our online gaming site via international WPT television telecasts will continue to be a primary marketing tool for driving poker players to the site. However, certain territories and foreign networks may restrict us from incorporating marketing elements related to our online site into our international telecasts and certain laws or regulations may restrict the type of advertising in general in those territories. If these restrictions occur, our costs of customer acquisition may be substantially higher than anticipated.

Internet gaming is a relatively new industry and, therefore, we do not know if the market will continue to develop and our products and services to be offered through our online gaming website will be in demand.

Internet gaming is a relatively new industry that continues to rapidly evolve and is characterized by an increasing number of market entrants. If the Internet gaming market becomes saturated with competitors, or if our products and services to be offered through our new online gaming website do not achieve market acceptance, we could incur losses in connection with our investment in our online venture and our future business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Congress’ passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act or future government regulation of online gaming in the U.S. may restrict the activities or affect the financial results of our online gaming venture currently operating and our new online gaming venture in development.

In October 2006, Congress passed, and the President signed, the SAFE Port Act which included in it the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (the “Act”). The Act prohibits financial institutions from processing payments in connection with unlawful internet gambling pursuant to state or

25




federal laws.  We believe that the Act is unlikely to have a direct adverse effect on the Company in light of our policy of not taking U.S. wagers on our online gaming site. Nevertheless, we cannot tell with certainly the impact the Act will have on our overall business. Until now, many other online gaming companies have accepted wagers and derived significant revenues from customers in the U.S. A few of these companies, most of which are larger, more established and better funded than we are, have announced that they will stop accepting U.S. wagers in reaction to the new legislation. This could result in greater competition to secure online gaming customers outside the U.S. if companies that previously accepted U.S. wagers redirect their efforts in securing markets where WPT offers online gaming services.

We believe that a number of online gaming sites currently sponsor poker tournaments pursuant to which their customers can win “buy-ins” to tournaments held in traditional brick and mortar casinos, including WPT series tournaments. We cannot predict how the Act will affect these sites or how, if at all, these sites will modify their marketing strategies in reaction to the Act. Accordingly, there is a risk of fewer participants in WPT events, which ultimately could affect the popularity of these events and tournament poker in general. Further, it is possible that the inability of poker players in the United States to play online will decrease the general level of public interest in poker in the U.S. If these factors cause a decrease in the popularity of poker, this, would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and, ultimately, the price of our common stock.

Our quarterly results may fluctuate, causing fluctuation of our stock price that may negatively affect the value of our common stock.

Under our license agreements for the WPT and PPT, revenues are recognized as each episode is delivered to the Travel Channel. Therefore, our quarterly revenue can fluctuate significantly depending on the number of episodes delivered in any one quarter. In addition, the sales of consumer products that utilize our licensed intellectual proper vary greatly, due to holiday seasons, school schedules and other outside factors. As a result, our financial results can be expected to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, leading to volatility and a possible adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

The television entertainment market in which we operate is highly competitive and competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence may enter our markets to our detriment.

We compete with other poker-related television programming, including ESPN’s coverage of the “World Series of Poker” and its “World Series of Poker” Circuit Events, Fox Sports Net’s exhibition of the Poker Superstars Invitational and Poker Dome Challenge television shows, NBC’s exhibition of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and Poker After Dark television shows and the Game Show Network’s exhibition of the High Stakes Poker, among others. These and other producers of poker-related programming may be well established and may have significantly greater resources than we do. Based on the popularity of these poker-related televised programs, we believe that additional competing televised poker programs may currently be in development or may be developed in the future. Our programming also competes for telecast audiences and advertising revenue with telecasts of mainstream professional and amateur sports, as well as other entertainment and leisure activities. These competing programs and activities and brands that may result may decrease the popularity of the WPT or Professional Poker Tour series and dilute the WPT brand. This would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition and, ultimately, the price of our common stock.

Item 1B.               Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

26




Item 2.                        Properties

Corporate Office Facility

We currently lease approximately 26,000 square feet of executive office space located in Los Angeles, California under two separate leases. The first lease commenced in March 2005 with a term of seventy-five months and an annual base rent of approximately $480,000. In July 2006 we leased additional office space with a term of sixty months and an annual base rent of approximately $369,000. In addition, we film our poker tournaments at casinos throughout the world pursuant to agreements with our member casinos.

We also lease approximately 1,500 square feet of office space located in Nahariya, Israel. The lease commenced in September 2006 with a term of twelve months and an annual base rent of approximately $10,000. In February 2007, we leased approximately 2,200 additional square feet of office space in Jerusalem, Israel with a term of thirty-six months and an annual base rent of approximately $25,000.

Item 3.                        Legal Proceedings

On July 19, 2006, we were served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California by seven poker players. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the business practice of the Company in requiring players to execute certain participant releases in connection with tournaments we film through our exclusive arrangement with casinos that have allegedly limited the number of televised poker venues for high stakes professional poker players violate antitrust laws. We have issued a statement indicating our belief that the claims asserted in the complaint are misleading and without merit and filed a response on August 24, 2006 reflecting our legal position. On March 14, 2007 Plaintiff’s filed a motion for summary judgment in the case and we are currently reviewing. The parties are currently engaged in discovery and a trial date has been set for April 1, 2008. We do not expect any material adverse consequences from this action. Accordingly, no provision has been made in the financial statements for any such losses.

We are currently a party to other matters of litigation pending or threatened. Since we are unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of these matters, no provision for loss has been made in connection therewith. Nevertheless, we believe any losses the Company might sustain in such matters are not likely to be material.

Item 4.                        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

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PART II

Item 5.                        Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol WPTE.

The high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock for each full quarterly period within the two most recent fiscal years are indicated below, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market:

 

 

 

 

First

 

Second

 

Third

 

Fourth

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Year Ended

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

$

7.71

 

 

 

$

7.55

 

 

 

$

5.71

 

 

 

$

4.53

 

 

 

 

Low

 

 

5.93

 

 

 

4.57

 

 

 

3.42

 

 

 

3.37

 

 

Year Ended

 

January 1, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

$

20.97

 

 

 

$

24.40

 

 

 

$

29.50

 

 

 

$

9.07

 

 

 

 

Low

 

 

11.27

 

 

 

11.88

 

 

 

8.30

 

 

 

5.65

 

 

 

On February 26, 2007, the last reported sale price for the common stock was $5.04 per share. As of February 26, 2007, the Company had approximately 500 shareholders of record.

The Company has never paid any cash dividends with respect to its Common Stock, and the current policy of the Board of Directors is to retain any earnings to provide for the growth of the Company. The payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on such factors as earnings levels, capital requirements, our overall financial condition and any other factors deemed relevant by the Company’s Board of Directors.

28




Item 6.                        Selected Financial Data

The Selected Financial Data presented below should be read in conjunction with the “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” both of which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

 

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

January 1, 2006

 

January 2, 2005

 

Revenues

 

 

$

29,261

 

 

 

$

18,063

 

 

 

$

17,557

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

18,945

 

 

 

8,076

 

 

 

7,313

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

 

18,630

 

 

 

14,087

 

 

 

6,632

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

 

 

315

 

 

 

(6,011

)

 

 

681

 

 

Interest income

 

 

1,630

 

 

 

1,017

 

 

 

146

 

 

Gain on sale of investment

 

 

10,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34

)

 

Income taxes

 

 

(4,392

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(41

)

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

$

7,769

 

 

 

($5,003

)

 

 

$

752

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—basic

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

 

$

(0.26

)

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—diluted

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

 

($0.26

)

 

 

$

0.04

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

 

 

20,457

 

 

 

19,575

 

 

 

15,856

 

 

Dilutive effect of restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

Dilutive effect of stock options

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

901

 

 

Dilutive effect of common shares subject to repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

 

 

20,504

 

 

 

19,575

 

 

 

18,080

 

 

 

 

 

                                

 

December 31, 2006

 

January 1, 2006

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

             

 

 

 

$

44,433

 

 

 

$

33,793

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,340

 

 

 

46,260

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,089

 

 

 

7,887

 

 

Retained earnings (deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,561

 

 

 

(6,208

)

 

 

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited):

The information below agrees to quarterly filings on Form 10Q.

Year ended December 31, 2006 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Revenues

 

$

6,454

 

$

11,029

 

$

5,868

 

$

5,911

 

Gross profit

 

4,034

 

6,853

 

4,131

 

3,929

 

Earnings(loss) from operations

 

(1,116

)

2,492

 

(418

)

(645

)

Net earnings (loss)

 

3,590

 

2,567

 

2,692

 

(1,081

)

Income (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted(1)

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.13

 

($0.05

)


(1)          The Company’s reported results for the first and third quarters of fiscal 2006 indicated diluted income per share of $0.17 and $0.12, respectively, due to the inclusion of certain vested, anti-dilutive options in the dilution calculation. Management subsequently adjusted the numbers of fully diluted shares

29




used to calculate these quarterly results above, which reflects dilution related only to “in the money” stock options as of the date of the balance sheet. However, the impact of this adjustment was not material.

Year ended January 1, 2006 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Revenues

 

$

4,103

 

$

6,600

 

$

2,128

 

$

5,232

 

Gross profit

 

915

 

2,223

 

1,567

 

3,370

 

Loss from operations

 

(1,858

)

(650

)

(1,808

)

(1,695

)

Net loss

 

(1,602

)

(426

)

(1,554

)

(1,420

)

Loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

($0.08

)

($0.02

)

($0.08

)

($0.07

)

 

Year ended January 2, 2005 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Revenues

 

$

4,140

 

$

4,719

 

$

2,974

 

$

5,725

 

Gross profit

 

1,668

 

2,074

 

1,032

 

2,540

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

 

833

 

876

 

(520

)

(508

)

Net earnings (loss)

 

792

 

887

 

(468

)

(459

)

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.06

 

($0.03

)

($0.02

)

Diluted

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.06

 

($0.03

)

($0.02

)

 

Item 7.                        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial Overview

Our net earnings in fiscal 2006 were $7.8 million, or $0.38 per-fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.0 million, or $0.26 per fully diluted share, in 2005. The primary reasons for the increase in earnings were the following factors:

·       Revenues increased by $11.2 million, or 62%, driven principally by the license fees from the Travel Channel for Season One of the Professional Poker Tour series.

·       Gross profit increased by $10.9 million in 2006 primarily a result of the above mentioned PPT revenues. Margins for the PPT were also significantly higher in 2006 as we expensed production costs in 2005 as a result of having no distribution partner in place at that time. This factor was offset by decreased margins in the online gaming business during the last two quarters, as we agreed to sharply increase the percentage of revenues payable to our outgoing service provider.

·       Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $4.5 million. This increase was primarily due to $3.5 million of share-based compensation expense, resulting from the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment-Revised 2004.

·       We realized a $10.2 million gain (pre-tax) on the sale of our common stock in PokerTek, offset by an income tax provision of $4.4 million.

At the end of 2006, we had a strong balance sheet, with no debt, and total cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities of approximately $39.6 million. Our main initiatives in 2007 are to:

·       Finalize arrangements for the telecast of Season Six of the World Poker Tour television series;

30




·       Successfully re-launch our online poker room and casino, based on our software development efforts and a significant investment in our new offshore operations; and

·       Continue to expand other parts of our business, including the non-gaming aspects of worldpokertour.com and the international distribution of the World Poker Tour television series, driven in part by our new partnership with PartyGaming.

Business Overview

We create internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. We created the WPT, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and in more than 150 markets globally. In 2006, with the WPT in its fifth season, WPTE launched a second series on the Travel Channel, the Professional Poker Tour™, which focuses on the play of poker’s leading stars. WPTE also operates a real-money online gaming website, www.wptonline.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The Company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. We have four operating units:

WPT Studios, our multi-media entertainment division, generates revenue through the domestic and international licensing of broadcast and telecast rights and through casino host fees. Since our inception, the WPT Studios division has been responsible for 74% of our total revenue. We license the WPT series to The Travel Channel, L.L.C. (“TRV” or “Travel Channel”) for telecast in the United States under an exclusive license agreement. We also have license agreements for the distribution of our WPT episodes in over 150 markets, for which we receive license fees, net of our agent’s sales fee and agreed upon sales and marketing expenses. In addition, during January 2006, we signed a license agreement with TRV to telecast the Professional Poker Tour™ (“PPT”) series, which began airing in the third quarter of 2006. We also collect annual host fees from the member casinos that host WPT events (our member casinos).

We have entered into a series of agreements with TRV for the United States distribution of the WPT television series (the WPT Agreements). Since our inception, fees from TRV under the WPT Agreements and an agreement with TRV relating to the PPT series have been responsible for approximately 60% of our total revenue. For each season covered by the WPT Agreements and related options, TRV has exclusive rights to exhibit the episodes in that season an unlimited number of times on its television network (or any other television network owned by the Discovery Channel) in the U.S. for four years (three years for the episodes in Season One). We have produced four complete seasons of the WPT series under the WPT Agreements, and Season Five is currently in production. TRV continues to hold options to license Seasons Six and Seven.

31




Under the WPT Agreements, TRV pays fixed license fees for each episode we produce, which are payable at various times during the pre-production, production and post-production process and are recognized upon TRV’s receipt and acceptance of the completed episode. Television production costs related to WPT episodes are generally capitalized and charged to the cost of revenues as 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. The following table describes the timing of Seasons One through Five of the World Poker Tour series, including the delivery and exhibition of the episodes each season:

World Poker
Tour Season

 

Date of TRV
Agreement or
Option for
Season

 

Number of
episodes
(including
specials)

 

Production Period and
Delivery of Episodes to TRV

 

Initial Telecast of Episodes in Season

Season One

 

January 2003

 

15

 

February 2002—June 2003

 

March 2003—June 2003

Season Two

 

August 2003

 

25

 

July 2003—June 2004

 

December 2003—September 2004

Season Three

 

May 2004

 

21

 

May 2004—April 2005

 

October 2004—August 2005

Season Four

 

March 2005

 

21

 

May 2005—April 2006

 

October 2005—June 2006

Season Five

 

March 2006

 

22

 

May 2006—April 2007 (expected)

 

August 2006—August 2007 (expected)*


*                    Although we produced, delivered and aired two Season Five specials (Battle of Champions IV and Ladies Night IV) in 2006, the fifth season of the WPT officially begins airing in April 2007.

As described elsewhere in this Form 10-K, we were unable to arrive at economic terms with the Travel Channel for the broadcast rights for Season Six prior to the original option deadline of March 10, 2007, and have extended the option period to April 1, 2007, and we continue to negotiate. These economic terms have not yet been finalized but are expected to differ from the terms for previous seasons.

In January 2006, we entered into an agreement with TRV for the U.S. distribution of Season One of the PPT television series. In accordance with our accounting policy of not capitalizing production costs until a firm commitment for distribution is in place, we expensed approximately $3.6 million of production expenses related to the Professional Poker Tour during fiscal 2005. With the execution of the PPT agreement, in the first quarter of 2006, we began capitalizing additional expenses associated with the production of the PPT series that have been expensed as the first season episodes were delivered to the Travel Channel. During the year, we delivered twenty-four episodes of Season One of the PPT series, resulting in revenue of $7.2 million and cost of revenues of $2.2 million. Similar to the WPT Agreements and related options, TRV has exclusive rights to exhibit the PPT episodes in that season an unlimited number of times on its television network (or any other television network owned by the Discovery Channel) in the U.S. for four years.

Under our agreement with TRV regarding PPT, TRV had options to license the following three seasons (Seasons Two through Four). On May 1, 2006, TRV notified the Company that it had chosen to not exercise its options for Season Two and subsequent seasons of the PPT. The Company is attempting to find a new broadcast partner for the PPT going forward, and does not plan to produce any additional episodes of the PPT until a distribution agreement is executed.

Under the WPT and PPT Agreements, TRV has the right to receive a percentage of our adjusted gross revenues from international television licenses, product licensing and publishing, merchandising and certain other sources, after specified minimum amounts are met. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we recognized $0.7 million of Travel Channel participation expense that was recorded in cost of revenues.

To date, we have obtained our international license agreements through an exclusive five-year agreement we entered into with Alfred Haber Distribution, Inc. in 2004. The agreement allowed Alfred Haber to negotiate international licenses for the exhibition of the WPT’s first, second and third seasons. In

32




December 2005, we entered into an exclusive one-year agreement with Alfred Haber Distribution to act as our agent in regard to the international distribution of Season Four of the WPT and Season One of the Professional Poker Tour. In December 2006, we notified Alfred Haber that they would no longer be the international distributor for WPT Season Four and PPT Season One, or for any future WPT and PPT seasons. As a result, the Company will utilize its internal staff and PartyGaming’s resources, as described below, to distribute all future WPT and PPT episodes into the international marketplace. After recouping up to a certain amount of expenses, Alfred Haber Distribution receives 25% of our gross receipts from these international licenses for WPT Seasons One through Three and 20% of our gross receipts from WPT Season Four and Professional Poker Tour Season One.

In December 2006, we signed a multi-year agreement with PartyGaming Plc, owner of PartyPoker.com, pursuant to which they will provide international television sponsorship of the WPT and PPT. The agreement covers shows produced under WPT Seasons Four, Five, and Six and PPT Seasons One, Two, and Three. The agreement helps solidify and expand the international WPT brand through PartyGaming’s extensive marketing resources, provides valuable promotional opportunities for WPT’s online gaming site and worldpokertour.com, and represents a new revenue stream for us. PartyPoker.com will receive exclusive in-show branded integration and association with the premiere brand in televised poker.

Pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to provide PartyGaming with certain post-produced audio and graphic sponsorship integration and advertising rights in connection with the distribution and broadcasting of the World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour television series’ in certain primary and secondary international (i.e., non-U.S.) markets for an approximate three year period in each territory. In exchange for those rights, PartyGaming agreed to pay us fixed fees for entering into broadcast sponsorship arrangements that meet particular requirements (“Qualified Deals”). Assuming those requirements are met, we will get paid for airing shows as follows:

(1)   For the WPT, $500,000 for each Qualified Deal up to five (5) per Season, in a primary country and $125,000 for each Qualified Deal in a secondary or remaining primary country (i.e., any primary country other than the initial five (5) described above), per Season, with maximum payments to us of $5 million for Season Four, $6 million for Season Five and $7 million for Season Six of the WPT.

(2)   For the PPT, $200,000 for each Qualified Deal up to five (5) per Season, in a primary country for Season One of the PPT and $300,000 for each Qualified Deal, up to five (5) per Season for Seasons Two and Three of the PPT, and $100,000 for each Qualified Deal in a secondary or remaining primary country, with maximum payments to us of $3 million for Season One, $4 million for Season Two and $5 million for Season Three of the PPT.

We generally will be paid 25% of the applicable fee upon executing a qualified deal with a broadcaster, 25% upon the initial broadcast of an episode of a Season, and 50% upon the initial broadcast of the tenth episode. We have not recognized any revenue in connection with this agreement.

WPT Online Gaming, our online poker and casino gaming division, generates revenue related to an online poker room and casino. Since early 2005, this division has generated revenues through our agreement with WagerWorks, Inc., or WagerWorks, pursuant to which in January 2005 we granted to WagerWorks a license to utilize the WPT brand to create a WPT-branded online gaming website, WPTonline.com, which features an online poker room and an online casino with a broad selection of slots and table games. In exchange for the use of our brand, WagerWorks shares with us a percentage of all net revenue it collects from the operation of the online poker room and online casino. Although any Internet user can access WPTonline.com via the World Wide Web, the website does not permit bets to be made from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions.

33




In 2006, we decided to develop our own software for our online poker room. On June 21, 2006, we entered into and executed a Source Code License and Service Agreement, (effective as of June 16, 2006) with CyberArts Licensing, LLC, or CyberArts, pursuant to which CyberArts granted to us a perpetual, non-exclusive and nontransferable license for the object code of certain poker software and related banking and cardroom management software tools that we are using for the development of our own online poker room. We paid CyberArts a one-time license fee of $1.3 million for the software upon the execution of the agreement, as well as a payment of $180,000 for the first year of CyberArts’ support and maintenance for the software. During the term of the CyberArts agreement, we are obligated to pay CyberArts an annual fee of $180,000, subject to annual increases of up to a maximum of 9% in each year, for continuing support and maintenance, payable on the anniversary of the effective date of the agreement. We also have the right to purchase the source code for the software at any time during the term of the CyberArts agreement for an additional $2.7 million. The CyberArts agreement enables us to develop, manage, market and handle customer service for the online poker business from our own international headquarters.

On July 10, 2006, the agreement with WagerWorks was amended to permit us to (i) own and operate our own online poker room, and (ii) offer multi-player real-money poker gaming via cellular phone using software provided by Cecure Gaming (formerly 3G Scene Limited).  In addition, the amendment specified a termination date for WagerWorks’ operation of our online poker room on the earlier to occur of (i) August 1, 2007, (ii) thirty (30) days following our request to terminate operation of the online poker room, or (iii) sixty (60) days following WagerWorks’ notice that it will terminate its operation of the online poker room. Furthermore, the parties agreed that WagerWorks could increase its share of revenue derived from the operation of the online poker room to 75% from the original 25% to provide added incentive to WagerWorks to provide a quality online poker room during the transition by us to the operation of our own online poker room, as described below.

In June 2006, as part of the development of our own online gaming website, we began to develop an operating location in Nahariya, Israel. This location provides us with an affordable, legal location to operate the online gaming site, in a highly developed country with a large pool of well-trained technical employees to operate the site. Currently, we have 17 employees located in the Nahariya office engaged in the development of our online gaming site. Additionally, we are investing in facilities and personnel in Jerusalem to handle customer service and poker room operations. There are currently 13 employees in the Jerusalem location.

In October 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, or the Act, was signed into law. Among other things the Act prohibits financial institutions from processing payments in connection with unlawful internet gambling pursuant to state or federal laws. We believe that the Act is unlikely to have a direct adverse effect on the Company’s day-to-day operations, since we have always maintained a policy of not taking online wagers from patrons within the United States. The Act could potentially result in increased competition to secure online gaming customers outside the United States; however, the long-term impact, if any, on our business cannot currently be determined.

On July 12, 2006, we entered into and executed a licensing agreement with Cecure Gaming (formerly 3G Scene Limited), pursuant to which we granted Cecure a non-exclusive license to use the World Poker Tour brand in conjunction with the promotion of its real-money mobile gaming applications. Pursuant to the agreement, Cecure will offer real-money mobile games solely in jurisdictions where such gaming is not restricted. In consideration for the license, we shall be entitled to 50% of net revenues. In a separate agreement entered into on July 26, 2006, we acquired an approximate 10% ownership interest in Cecure for approximately $2.9 million.

WPT Consumer Products, our branded consumer products division, generates revenue principally through royalties from the licensing of our brand to companies seeking to use the World Poker Tour brand

34




and logo in the retail sales of their consumer products. In addition, this business unit generates revenue from direct sales of company-produced branded merchandise. We have generated significant revenues from existing licensees, including Hands-On Mobile, MDI and US Playing Card. We also have a number of licensees that are developing new licensed products including electronic, casino-based, poker-related slot machines from IGT, and interactive television games from Pixel Play. We are also looking to expand our consumer products business and brand into the international marketplace. As a result, we have engaged two brand licensing companies in Europe and Australia to explore foreign licensing opportunities. During 2006, we began recognizing revenues from international product sales.

In October 2006, we launched the WPT Academy™, a web-based poker education center that uses authentic poker play to provide an interactive learning tool for both the experienced and novice alike. The WPT Academy leverages our database of over 1,700 hands of poker filmed at our final tables during Season One of the WPT, including over 900 hands that were actually shown on the air on the Travel Channel as a learning tool in connection with the following features of the WPT Academy:

·       HandSim™: HandSim is a sophisticated poker hand search engine and simulator that utilizes data from our WPT Cams, including bets, physical motions and play-by-play details to aid players in determining hole card values, odds percentages, the advantages of positional play in poker, or other poker learning tips.

·       Video Sessions with the Pros: These are short video tutorials hosted by stars of the WPT covering a variety of poker topics.

·       Interactive Community:  Poker fans can log in to WPT Academy’s online community to discuss poker hands, analyze and rank poker hands, or otherwise discuss the game of poker.

·       Follow your Favorites:  This feature allows poker fans to track the play of their favorite players that have been at a WPT final table.

As a result of these improvements to our website, we began to recognize advertising/sponsorship revenue during 2006, and expect to derive revenues from online subscriptions as the database of unique content grows.

WPT Corporate Alliances, our sponsorship and event management division, generates revenue through corporate sponsorship and management of televised and live events. Our sponsorship program uses the professional sports model as a method to foster entitlement sponsorship opportunities and naming rights to major corporations. Anheuser-Busch has been the largest source of revenues through its sponsorship of Seasons Two, Three and Four of the World Poker Tour series on TRV. During the third quarter of 2006, we completed an agreement with Anheuser-Busch to continue its sponsorship for Season Five of the WPT. During the second quarter of 2006, we finalized a sponsorship agreement with Xyience, Inc., a non-alcoholic energy drink developer and distributor, to promote its product as the “official energy drink” of Seasons Five and Six of the World Poker Tour. In addition, during the 4th quarter of 2006, we completed an agreement with Blue Diamond Almonds to sponsor the WPT Season Five Championship in April 2007 at the Bellagio, and run in-store retail promotions to drive customers to our tour events. We will recognize revenues from these agreements when the Season Five programs are broadcast beginning in 2007.

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

35




Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 (2006) Compared to January 1, 2006 (2005)

Revenues.   Our total revenues increased by $11.2 million (62%) in 2006 compared to 2005 due to domestic television licensee fees, which increased $9.2 million (121%) in 2006 compared to 2005. The increase in domestic television is primarily due to the delivery of twenty-four episodes of Season One of the PPT television series versus no episodes of the PPT delivered in 2005, combined with the delivery of sixteen episodes of Season Four and five episodes of Season Five in fiscal 2006 (21 total episodes) compared to thirteen episodes of Season Three and five episodes of Season Four in fiscal 2005 (18 total episodes). Online gaming, host fees and sponsorship revenues also increased $3.0 million (110%) in 2006 compared to 2005, of which $2.3 million is due to increased online gaming revenues, as we had higher levels of player activity during 2006 compared to 2005, as well as increased sponsorship fees for Season Four versus Season Three. Product licensing revenues decreased $1.1 million (25%) in 2006 compared to 2005. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues from US Playing Card, Jakks Pacific and MDI, which were the result of lower demand for chip sets and plug and play games in the consumer marketplace, as well as fewer states running our lottery ticket program. The decreased revenues were partially offset by increased mobile gaming sales from Hands-On Mobile (formerly Mforma).

Cost of Revenues.   Cost of revenues increased by approximately $0.3 million (3%) in 2006 compared to 2005, due primarily to an increase in online gaming costs of $1.3 million. As mentioned above, online gaming revenues were higher in 2006 compared to 2005 due to increased player activity, which increased the gross revenue-based fees paid to the service provider. The increased online gaming costs were partially offset by lower production costs of approximately $1.0 million. Specifically, there were decreased PPT production costs of $1.4 million, as we began capitalizing these costs in the first quarter of 2006 versus previously expensing them in 2005 since no distribution deal had been reached. In addition, WPT production costs increased $0.4 million in 2006 as a result of the delivery of sixteen episodes of Season Four and five episodes of Season Five of the WPT television series (21 total episodes) versus the delivery of thirteen episodes of Season Three and five episodes of Season Four (18 total episodes) in 2005.

Gross Margins.   Overall gross margins were 65% in 2006 compared to 45% in 2005. Domestic television licensing margins were 56% in 2006 compared to negative 9% in 2005, with the increase primarily due to the recognition of a larger portion of PPT production costs in 2005, since no distribution deal had been reached during the early stages of production, combined with increased PPT revenues as a result of the delivery of twenty-four episodes versus no episodes being delivered in 2005. In addition, increased revenues from online gaming, sponsorship fees, and international distribution license fees helped contribute to the favorable gross margins in 2006.

Selling and administrative expense.   Selling and administrative expense increased $4.5 million (32%) in 2006 compared to 2005. This increase was primarily due to $3.5 million of share-based compensation expense, resulting from the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment-Revised 2004. There was no share-based compensation expense related to employee and director stock options recognized during the year ended January 1, 2006, pursuant to the accounting guidance in effect during 2005. Additional headcount and related costs also contributed to the increase in general and administrative expenses, as the Company was actively developing its online gaming software and expanding its interactive businesses. These increased costs were partially offset by decreased sales and marketing expenses as a result of reduced online gaming marketing efforts and lower commissions paid to our third-party licensing agent for consumer product licensing.

Other income.   In 2006, we recognized a gain of $10.2 million from the sale of our stock in PokerTek, Inc. Interest income increased by $0.6 million (60%) in 2006 compared to 2005, primarily due to higher cash equivalents and short-term investment balances in 2006.

36




Income taxes.   The overall effective income tax rate for the year was 36.1% and 0.2% for 2006 and 2005, respectively. There was no income tax benefit in 2005 due to a valuation allowance recorded for the net deferred tax asset related to the 2005 net operating loss carryforward.

Outlook

For the first quarter of 2007, revenues are expected to be in the range of $4.5—$5.0 million. We expect to deliver five episodes of Season Five in the first quarter of 2007, with the remainder of Season Five episodes to be delivered during the second and third quarters of 2007. The Company also continues to expect lower revenues and gross profits in online gaming during the first and second quarters of 2007 as a result of the increased percentage of online revenues we have agreed to pay to our current service provider for the remaining term of our agreement, as well as reduced marketing efforts in anticipation of our upcoming debut of the online gaming site.

Regarding full-year revenues, we expect:

·       to deliver seventeen episodes of Season Five and five episodes of Season Six of the WPT (assuming a distribution agreement is negotiated covering Season Six),

·       no revenue for the PPT,

·       to recognize host fee and sponsorship revenues as WPT episodes are aired during the second and third quarters of 2007,

·       sponsorship revenue associated with the PartyGaming agreement to begin in the second half of 2007, and

·       to debut the online gaming website in the middle of the year.

Regarding expenses, we expect year-over-year general and administrative costs to significantly ramp up beginning in the first quarter of 2007, as we increase headcount to support the re-launch of our online gaming website and build out the non-gaming aspects of worldpokertour.com (e.g. WPT Academy). Year-over-year sales and marketing costs are projected to significantly increase beginning during the second quarter of 2007 as we aggressively invest in marketing our online gaming business.

Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2006 (2005) Compared to Fiscal Year Ended January 2, 2005 (2004)

Revenues.   Our total revenues increased by $0.5 million (3%) during fiscal 2005 compared to 2004. Domestic television licensee fees decreased $5.1 million (40%) in 2005 compared to 2004. The decrease is primarily attributable to the delivery of thirteen episodes of Season Three and five episodes of Season Four in fiscal 2005 (18 total episodes) compared to twenty-four episodes of Season Two and eight episodes of Season Three in fiscal 2004 (32 total episodes). Product licensing revenues increased $2.5 million (127%) in 2005 compared to 2004. This increase is primarily due to a full year of licensing efforts. International television licensee fees increased $1.7 million (152%) due to increased distribution agreements in 2005. Online gaming, host fees, sponsorship and merchandise revenues also increased $1.4 million (79%) in 2005 compared to 2004, of which $0.9 million is due to the online gaming launch during 2005.

Cost of Revenues.   Cost of revenues decreased by approximately $0.3 million (3%) in 2005 compared to 2004. The decrease was primarily due to a fewer number of episodes being delivered to TRV during 2005 compared to 2004 (18 episodes vs. 32 episodes, respectively), as well as decreased consultant stock option expense of approximately $0.4 million. This decrease was partially offset by increases of $2.9 million in PPT production costs expensed, as well as the addition of online gaming cost of revenues.

Gross Margins.   Overall gross margins were 45% in 2005 compared to 42% in 2004. Domestic television licensing margins were negative 9% in 2005 compared to 22% in 2004, with the decrease due

37




primarily to an increase of approximately $2.9 million in production costs related to the PPT expensed in 2005. The revenue increases in 2005 in product licensing and international television (as explained above) helped contribute to the higher overall gross margins in 2005.

Selling and administrative expense.   Selling and administrative expense increased $7.4 million (114%) in 2005 compared with 2004. This increase was primarily due to an additional $2.5 million in sales and marketing costs related to the WPTonline.com launch incurred during 2005, $0.7 million in additional licensing commissions due to a full year of product licensing efforts and $3.4 million as a result of additional headcount, legal and audit fees incurred during 2005 associated with development, growth and regulatory compliance costs.

Interest income.   Interest income increased by $0.9 million (808%) for 2005 compared to 2004, primarily due to higher cash and investment in marketable securities balances, related to the proceeds of our initial public offering in 2004, throughout the entire year in 2005.

Income taxes.   The effective income tax rate for 2005 and 2004 was 0.2% and 5.2%, respectively. As of January 1, 2006, we had federal net operating losses of approximately $17.2 million ($5.8 million related to operations and $11.4 million related to other comprehensive income—stock options exercise) and state net operating losses of $17.3 million ($5.9 million related to operations and $11.4 million related to other comprehensive income—stock options exercise).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During 2006, cash flow from operations was $2.7 million. Additional cash of $10.2 million was generated from the sale of our PokerTek stock, which was offset by our purchase of property and equipment of $2.7 million, investment in Cecure of $2.9 million, and additional net purchases of investments in marketable securities of $4.4 million. At December 31, 2006 we had cash and investments in marketable securities aggregating $39.6 million.

Our principal cash requirements consist of online gaming expenses, television production costs, payroll and benefits, professional fees, marketing costs, business insurance and office lease costs. We intend to use funds currently on hand for working capital and capital expenditures associated with the expansion of our online gaming, interactive, media, and other businesses and for general corporate purposes. Planned capital expenditures primarily related to our online gaming re-launch are expected to be approximately $250,000. We expect that cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities on hand and generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months.

However, we may from time to time seek additional capital to fund our operations or fund our expansion plans as circumstances arise. To raise capital, we may seek to sell additional equity securities, issue debt or convertible securities, or seek to obtain credit facilities through financial institutions.

The table below sets forth our known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Payments due by period (in thousands)

 

Contractual obligations

 

 

 

Total

 

Year 1

 

Years 2-3

 

Years 4-5

 

Years 6
and Beyond

 

Operating lease(1)

 

$

3,989

 

$

858

 

 

$

1,791

 

 

 

$

1,340

 

 

 

$

 

 

Purchase obligations(2)

 

1,415

 

766

 

 

629

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

Employee obligation(3)

 

1,000

 

500

 

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6,404

 

$

2,124

 

 

$

2,920

 

 

 

$

1,360

 

 

 

$

 

 


(1)          Operating lease obligations include rent payments for our corporate offices pursuant to two lease agreements. For the first lease, monthly lease payments began at approximately $38,000 and escalate

38




to approximately $45,000 over the six-year lease term. For the second lease, monthly payments began at $28,000 approximately and escalate up to approximately $33,000 over the five-year lease term. The lease obligations presented include rent payments for our Israel office facilities in Nahariya and Jerusalem. The amounts set forth in the table above include monthly lease payments through June 2011.

(2)          Purchase obligations include the operational expenses associated with the development of Worldpokertour.com. These expenses relate to the gaming and non-gaming aspects of the website. Additionally included in purchase obligations are open purchase orders of approximately $180,000 as of December 31, 2006. These liabilities are included in Other Accrued Expenses.

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

 

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.

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.

Revenue recognition:   Revenue from the domestic and international distribution of our television series is recognized as earned under the following criteria established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 00-2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films (“SOP 00-2”):

·                    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

·                    Collectibility is reasonably assured.

In accordance with the terms of the WPT and PPT Agreements, we recognize domestic television license revenues upon the receipt and acceptance of completed episodes by the Travel Channel. However, due to restrictions and practical limitations applicable to our operating relationships with foreign networks, we currently do not consider collectibility of international television license revenues to be reasonably assured, and accordingly, we do not recognize such revenue until the distributor has received payment. Additionally, we present 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 Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent (“EITF 99-19”).

39




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 royalties 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 as 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 WagerWorks, our online gaming service provider, for online poker and casino activity. In accordance with EITF 99-19, we present online gaming revenues gross of WagerWorks costs, including WagerWorks management fee, royalties, credit card processing and chargebacks that are recorded as cost of revenues. Since 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.

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, by us, as well as casino host fees and sponsorship receipts 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 TRV in accordance with the WPT and PPT agreements, in which TRV retains a right to 15% of adjusted gross revenues from the exploitation of the World Poker Tour brand, after specified minimum amounts are met. We record these amounts in cost of revenues as revenues from international television, consumer products licensing, home entertainment and merchandise are recognized.

Deferred television costs:   We account for deferred television costs in accordance with SOP 00-2. Deferred television costs include capitalizable direct costs, production overhead and development costs and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value based on anticipated revenue. Production overhead costs include costs that are directly related to production and are incremental costs. These costs primarily include office facilities and insurance related to production. Production overhead office facilities costs are determined based on percentage of space used and are allocated to television costs based on number of episodes. Production overhead insurance costs are allocated to television costs based on number of episodes. We have not currently anticipated any revenues in excess of those subject to existing contractual relationships, since we have insufficient operating history to enable such anticipation. In January 2006, we signed a distribution agreement for the PPT with Discovery Communications, Inc., the parent company of the Travel Channel. Accordingly, once the agreement was executed, PPT television costs began to be capitalized during the first quarter of 2006, and were expensed as episodes were delivered to and accepted by the Travel Channel. Marketing, distribution and general and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized television production costs for each episode are expensed as revenues are recognized upon delivery and acceptance by the Travel Channel of the completed episode. Management currently estimates that 100% of the $1.7 million in capitalized deferred television costs at December 31, 2006, are expected to be expensed in connection with episode deliveries by the end of fiscal 2007, and are therefore presented as current assets.

Investments:   On July 31, 2006, we acquired an approximate 10% ownership interest in Cecure for approximately $2.9 million. As we have less then 20% ownership interest and do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over Cecure, we account for this investment under the cost method and we will review at least quarterly for declines in fair value that may be determined to be other-than-temporary,

40




in accordance with EITF 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments.

Income taxes:   Based on our limited and volatile earnings history combined with our cautious optimism, we have determined that a valuation allowance is necessary to the extent that management currently believes it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be recovered in the foreseeable future. See discussion of likely effect of adopting Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”) below under “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.”

Share-based compensation:   On January 2, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 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. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, our financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R).

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will become effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, which will permit the option of choosing to measure certain eligible items at fair value at specified election dates and report unrealized gains and losses in earnings. We are currently evaluating the effect that SFAS 157 and 159 might have on our future financial position, results of operations and operating cash flows.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return that results in a tax benefit. Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on de-recognition, income statement classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation will be effective for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. We presently do not expect FIN 48 to have a material effect on our results of operations and financial condition or on our unrecognized deferred tax assets from net operating loss carryforwards.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Instruments amending the guidance in SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. SFAS 155 will allow financial instruments with embedded derivatives to be accounted for as a whole (eliminating the need to bifurcate the derivative from its host) on a fair value basis. SFAS 155 will be effective for financial instruments acquired or issued during our fiscal year 2007. We presently do not expect SFAS 155 to be applicable to any instruments likely to be acquired or issued by us.

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

41




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, these factors include, among others, the following risks:

·       We remain heavily reliant upon our agreements with TRV as a source of revenue and any termination or impairment of these agreements would materially and adversely affect the results of our operations;

·       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 ability to create and license our television programming profitably may be negatively affected by adverse trends that apply to the television production business generally;

·       Our competitors (many of whom have greater financial resources or marketplace presence) may develop television programming that would directly compete with our television programming;

·       A decline in general economic conditions or 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 out efforts to comply with applicable laws, we may be unable to pursue this business fully or our activities may be claimed or found to be in violation of applicable United States or foreign regulations;

·       The development and operation of our own online poker room may be costly and time consuming and may never be successful;

·       It is difficult for us to predict the growth of our online casino business, which is a relatively new industry with an increasing number of market entrants;

·       It is uncertain whether the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 will have an adverse effect on the competitive environment for finding online gaming customers outside the United States; 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.

 

Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

42




Item 7A.                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, corporate bonds and short-term municipal 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. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative or investment purposes.

Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. As of December 31, 2006, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value. We have in the past and may in the future obtain marketable debt securities (principally consisting of commercial paper, corporate bonds and government securities) having a weighted average duration of one year or less. Consequently, such securities would not be subject to significant interest rate risk.

43







REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Board of Directors
WPT Enterprises, Inc.
Los Angeles, California

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, and the related statements of earnings (loss), comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, January 1, 2006, and January 2, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of WPT Enterprises, Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006, January 1, 2006, and January 2, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 15, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern

Piercy, Bowler, Taylor & Kern,
Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors
A Professional Corporation
Las Vegas, Nevada

February 15, 2007

45




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Board of Directors
WPT Enterprises, Inc.
Los Angeles, California

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that WPT Enterprises, Inc. (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that WPT Enterprises, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of WPT Enterprises, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and our report dated February 15, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Piercy, Bowler, Taylor & Kern

Piercy, Bowler, Taylor & Kern,
Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors
A Professional Corporation
Las Vegas, NV

February 15, 2007

46




WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Balance Sheets

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

January 1,
2006

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

8,360

 

 

 

$

1,737

 

 

Investments in marketable securities

 

 

31,263

 

 

 

26,735

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of return allowances of $18 and $65

 

 

2,353

 

 

 

3,091

 

 

Deferred television costs

 

 

1,722

 

 

 

1,520

 

 

Other

 

 

735

 

 

 

710

 

 

 

 

 

44,433

 

 

 

33,793

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

3,375

 

 

 

1,271

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

453

 

 

 

249

 

 

Investments

 

 

2,923

 

 

 

10,627

 

 

Other

 

 

156

 

 

 

320

 

 

 

 

 

$

51,340

 

 

 

$

46,260

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

$

674

 

 

 

$

1,550

 

 

Accrued payroll and related

 

 

1,205

 

 

 

246

 

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

1,076

 

 

 

941

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

4,740

 

 

 

5,150

 

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,089

 

 

 

7,887

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares; 20,378 and 20,158 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

41,719

 

 

 

34,113

 

 

Retained earnings (deficit)

 

 

1,561

 

 

 

(6,208

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

10,449

 

 

Deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

43,251

 

 

 

38,373

 

 

 

 

 

$

51,340

 

 

 

$

46,260

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

47




WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Statements of Earnings (Loss)

For Fiscal Years

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

(In thousands,
except per share data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic television

 

$

16,871

 

$

7,649

 

$

12,720

 

International television

 

2,978

 

2,840

 

1,127

 

Product licensing

 

3,315

 

4,398

 

1,938

 

 

 

23,164

 

14,887

 

15,785

 

Online gaming

 

3,150

 

864

 

 

Event hosting and sponsorship fees

 

2,638

 

1,894

 

1,433

 

Other

 

309

 

418

 

339

 

 

 

29,261

 

18,063

 

17,557

 

Cost of revenues

 

10,316

 

9,987

 

10,244

 

Gross profit

 

18,945

 

8,076

 

7,313

 

Selling, general and administrative expense

 

18,630

 

14,087

 

6,632

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

 

315

 

(6,011

)

681

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of investment

 

10,216

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,630

 

1,017

 

146

 

Interest expense, related party

 

 

 

(34

)

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

12,161

 

(4,994

)

793

 

Income taxes

 

(4,392

)

(9

)

(41

)

Net earnings (loss)

 

7,769

 

(5,003

)

752

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities (net of income tax):

 

(282

)

10,455

 

(6

)

Comprehensive earnings

 

$

7,487

 

$

5,452

 

$

746

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—basic

 

$

0.38

 

($0.26

)

$

0.05

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—diluted

 

$

0.38

 

($0.26

)

$

0.04

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic

 

20,457

 

19,575

 

15,856

 

Dilutive effect of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock

 

 

 

1,293

 

Options

 

47

 

 

901

 

Common stock subject to repurchase

 

 

 

30

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted

 

20,504

 

19,575

 

18,080

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

48




WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For Fiscal Years 2006, 2005 and 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Retained

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Units

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Earnings

 

Deferred

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Dollars

 

Shares

 

Dollars

 

Capital

 

(Deficit)

 

Compensation

 

Earnings/(Loss)

 

Total

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 28, 2003

 

93

 

119

 

 

$

 

 

$

361

 

 

$

(2,637

)

 

$

(12

)

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2,169

)

Reduction of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Vesting of stock options to consultants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,200

 

Conversion of LLC to C-Corporation

 

(93

)

(119

)

14,880

 

15

 

 

(576

)

 

680

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

4,600

 

4

 

 

32,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,404

 

Common stock subject to repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(602

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(602

)

Interest on common stock subject to repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

(6

)

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

752

 

BALANCE, JANUARY 2, 2005

 

 

 

19,480

 

19

 

 

32,767

 

 

(1,205

)

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

31,569

 

Reduction of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Common stock issued

 

 

 

 

 

678

 

1

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

Stock-based compensation awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

698

 

Common stock subject to repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

643

 

Interest on common stock subject to repurchase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24

)

Other comprehensive gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,455

 

 

10,455

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,003

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,003

)

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2006

 

 

 

20,158

 

20

 

 

34,113

 

 

(6,208

)

 

(1

)

 

 

10,449

 

 

38,373

 

Reduction of deferred compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Common stock issued

 

 

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Stock-based compensation awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,696

 

Tax benefit from stock option exercises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,909

 

Sale of investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10,216

)

 

(10,216

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(282

)

 

(282

)

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,769

 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2006

 

 

 

20,378

 

$

20

 

 

$

41,719

 

 

$

1,561

 

 

$

 

 

 

($49

)

 

$

43,251

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

49




WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

Statements of Cash Flows

For Fiscal Years

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

In thousands

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

7,769

 

$

(5,003

)

$

752

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

597

 

426

 

170

 

Share-based compensation

 

3,800

 

796

 

1,204

 

Gain on sale of investment

 

(10,216

)

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

(132

)

Other

 

58

 

(43

)

3

 

Increase in operating (assets) and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

680

 

(965

)

(1,618

)

Income taxes payable

 

394

 

 

 

Deferred television costs

 

(305

)

(801

)

1,064

 

Other

 

139

 

(247

)

(553

)

Accounts payable

 

(876

)

840

 

(57

)

Due to Parent

 

 

 

(224

)

Accrued expenses

 

1,094

 

251

 

1,330

 

Deferred revenue

 

(410

)

1,870

 

2,775

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

2,724

 

(2,876

)

4,714

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(2,701

)

(994

)

(764

)

Loan to and investment in unconsolidated investee

 

(2,923

)

 

(207

)

Short-term Investments in marketable securities, purchases

 

(48,318

)

(42,450

)

(291,995

)

Short-term Investments in marketable securities, sales/maturities

 

43,899

 

43,322

 

264,230

 

Proceeds from sale of investment

 

10,236

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

193

 

(122

)

(28,736

)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in bank overdraft

 

 

 

(184

)

Increase in restricted cash

 

(204

)

(5

)

(244

)

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

 

32,404

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

1

 

29

 

 

Tax benefit from stock option exercises

 

3,909

 

 

 

Collection loan receivable

 

 

186

 

 

Repayments of notes payable to Parent

 

 

 

(3,429

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

3,706

 

210

 

28,547

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

6,623

 

(2,788

)

4,525

 

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period

 

1,737

 

4,525

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents—end of period

 

$

8,360

 

$

1,737

 

$

4,525

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation capitalized as television costs

 

$

(14

)

$

(117

)

$

(2

)

Cash paid for interest

 

 

 

(229

)

Cash paid for income taxes

 

(98

)

(17

)

(175

)

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

50




WPT Enterprises, Inc
Notes to Financial Statements

1. BUSINESS

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (“WPTE” or the “Company”) creates internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and in more than 150 markets globally. In 2006, with the WPT in its fifth season, WPTE launched a second series on the Travel Channel, the Professional Poker Tour™, which focuses on the play of poker’s leading stars.  The Company sells corporate sponsorships in connection with its programming and licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. WPT also operates a real-money online gaming website, www.wptonline.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions.

Organization and capitalizationThe Company, as an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (“Lakes” or “Parent”), concluded its initial public offering during the fiscal year ended January 2, 2005, and sold 4,000,000 shares of WPTE common stock while raising approximately $28.0 million, net of offering expenses and underwriting discounts. In that year, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option to acquire an additional 600,000 common shares resulting in additional net proceeds of $4.4 million to the Company.

Lakes, together with WPTE’s directors and executive officers, beneficially own 14,711,058 shares of WPTE’s common stock, which represents approximately 69% of the Company’s voting power. As a result, Lakes, either alone or acting together with our directors and executive officers, controls the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the future merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of WPTE’s assets, and as a result, indirectly controls the Company’s management through the election and removal of members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

ConcentrationsThe Company has entered into agreements with the Travel Channel, LLC (“Travel Channel” or “TRV”) pursuant to which it granted the Travel Channel an exclusive license to broadcast and telecast its programs on television in the United States during Seasons One and Two of the World Poker Tour television series and options to acquire similar licenses for the episodes comprising each of the Seasons Three through Seven, which will not be completed until 2009. In March 2006, TRV exercised its option for Season Five. The Travel Channel (TRV) and the Company were unable to arrive at economic terms for the broadcast rights for Season Six prior to the original option deadline of March 10, 2007, and have extended the option period to April 1, 2007 and continue to negotiate. These economic terms have not yet been finalized but are expected to differ from the terms for previous seasons.

Under the agreements, the Company is required to deliver each episode of the World Poker Tour television series by a specific delivery date. If the Company fails to timely deliver an episode, TRV has the right to reject that episode and be reimbursed for the related per-episode license fee. As a result, untimely delivery of one or more episodes by the Company may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

TRV’s decision to exercise its options may be affected by, among other things, the Company’s ability to deliver episodes in a timely manner, as well as the quality of the Company’s programming and its continued acceptance by the viewing public. Since the Company’s revenue from TRV represented 58%, 42%, and 72% of the Company’s total revenue in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, a decision by TRV not to exercise its options for future seasons would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flow and the failure to maintain a broadcast license agreement

51




would be detrimental to the visibility and viability of the World Poker Tour brand. However, if TRV does not exercise its option for future seasons, the Company would then be able to market the show to other networks.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Year endThe Company has a 52- or 53-week accounting period ending on the Sunday closest to December 31 of each year. The Company’s fiscal years for the periods reflected in the accompanying financial statements ended on December 31, 2006 (2006), January 1, 2006 (2005), and January 2, 2005 (2004).

Basis of presentationThe financial statements of the Company include the accounts of WPT Enterprises, Inc. and its sole subsidiary, WPT Enterprises Israel Ltd., after elimination in consolidation of intercompany accounts and transactions. The assets, liabilities and operations of the subsidiary are immaterial.

Use of estimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand and in banks and money market funds.

Investments in marketable securitiesThe Company has classified all of its currently held investments in marketable securities (Note 3) as available for sale, which are stated at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of related income taxes. Fair market value is determined by reference to published market quotes or the most recent traded price of the security at the balance sheet date. Realized gains or losses are determined as of the settlement date on the specific identification cost method.

Deferred television costsDeferred television costs (Note 4) 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. The Company has not currently anticipated any revenues in excess of those subject to existing contractual relationships. Capitalized television production costs for each episode are expensed as revenues are recognized upon delivery and acceptance of the completed episode.

Property and equipment—Property and equipment (Note 5) is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives, which in the case of leasehold improvements, is limited to the term of the lease:

Furniture and equipment

 

2-6 years

Software

 

3 years

Leasehold improvements

 

2-6 years

 

52




InvestmentsThe cost method of accounting is used for investments in which WPTE has less than a 20% ownership interest and/or the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence.

Deferred revenueDeferred revenue consists of domestic television and product licensing advances, not yet earned, and host fees and sponsorship payments received prior to the airing of episodes.

Revenue recognitionRevenue from the distribution of the domestic and international television series is recognized as earned using the following criteria:

·       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 price to the customer is fixed and determinable; and

·       Collectibility is reasonably assured.

The Company presents international distribution license fee revenues net of the distributor’s fees.

Product licensing revenues are recognized when the underlying royalties from the sales of the related products are earned. The Company recognizes minimum revenue guarantees, if any, ratably over the term of the license or as earned royalties based on actual sales of the related products, if greater.

Online gaming revenues are recognized monthly based on gross online poker and casino activity. Costs, including management fees, royalties and credit card processing are reported as cost of revenues. Although the Company utilizes a service provider, the Company retains the ability to adjust price and specifications of the online gaming site, bears the majority of the credit risk and is responsible for sales and marketing. The Company includes certain promotional expenses related to free bets and deposit bonuses along with customer chargebacks as reductions of gross revenue. All other promotional expenses are generally recorded as sales and marketing expenses.

Event hosting fees paid by host casinos for the privilege of hosting the events are recognized as the related episodes are aired.

Travel Channel participationThe Company accounts for royalty payments to TRV in accordance with the WPT and PPT agreements, in which TRV retains a right to 15% of adjusted gross revenues from the exploitation of the World Poker Tour brand after specified minimum amounts are met. The Company records these amounts in cost of revenues as the related international television, consumer products, and other licensing revenues are recognized.

Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under this method, the Company determines deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The tax consequences of most events recognized in the current year’s consolidated financial statements are included in determining income taxes currently payable. However, because tax laws and financial accounting standards differ in their recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses, gains and losses, differences arise between the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income for a year and between the tax bases of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements.

53




Because it is assumed that the reported amounts of assets and liabilities will be recovered and settled, respectively, a difference between the tax basis of an asset or a liability and its reported amount in the balance sheet will result in a taxable or a deductible amount in some future years when the related liabilities are settled or the reported amounts of the assets are recovered, hence giving rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent management believes that recovery is not likely, they must establish a valuation allowance. The Company recorded a 100% valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets as of the balance sheet dates presented.

Share-based compensationOn January 2, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), which establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. SFAS 123(R) focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. Previously, the Company accounted for share-based compensation to employees and directors (Note 9) using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”).

The Company adopted SFAS No. 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. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, the financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123(R). The Company estimates the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The key assumptions included in the Black-Scholes model are as follows:

·       Annualized volatility—As the Company has a relatively short operating history and no definitive peer or peer groups, expected volatility was based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock since it began trading in August 2004.

·       Forfeiture rate—The Company used historical data to estimate employee departure behavior in estimating future forfeitures. Such estimates (4-5% annually) are reconsidered for possible modification on each vesting date for each award.

·       Expected life—Due to the Company’s limited operating history including stock option exercises and forfeitures, the Company calculated expected life using the “Simplified Method” in accordance with SAB 107.

·       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.

Following is a summary of the assumptions used to estimate the weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted using the Black-Scholes pricing model:

 

 

Year  ended
December 31, 2006

 

Risk free interest rate

 

4.61

%

Expected life

 

6.0 to 6.5 years

 

Expected dividend yield

 

0

%

Weighted-average fair value

 

$

3.47

 

Annualized volatility

 

78.67

%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2006, the effect of the change from APB 25 to SFAS 123(R) was to decrease both net earnings and earnings per share by $3.6 million and $0.17 per share, respectively. The

54




value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest (net of estimated forfeitures) is recognized as expense, using a straight-line method, over the requisite service period.

The Company accounts for equity-based consultant compensation according to the recognition and measurement principles of EITF 96-18, Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services. Compensation expense for stock option grants issued to consultants is recorded at the fair market value of the options at the measurement date, defined as the date the options vest and services have been provided. Compensation expense related to stock options issued to consultants was $0.8 million and $1.2 million for 2005 and 2004, respectively. All of these expenses are initially capitalized as deferred television costs and are expensed as costs of revenue upon delivery and acceptance of completed episodes.

Earnings (loss) per share—Basic earnings (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Shares for certain stock options granted to employees and consultants of the Company are included in the computation after the options have vested because the shares are issuable for relatively minimal cash consideration in relation to the fair value of the options. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is calculated by adjusting weighted-average outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive stock options and awards. Due to the net loss in 2005, the effects of stock options, restricted stock and warrants have not been included in diluted loss per share for the year ended January 1, 2006, as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

3. INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES

As of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, short-term investments with original maturities beyond three months consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

losses

 

value

 

U.S. treasury and agency securities

 

$

9,999

 

 

$

(24

)

 

$

9,975

 

Short-term municipal bonds

 

12,450

 

 

 

 

12,450

 

Corporate preferred securities

 

8,863

 

 

(25

)

 

8,838

 

 

 

$

31,312

 

 

$

(49

)

 

$

31,263

 

 

January 1, 2006

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

unrealized

 

Fair

 

 

 

Cost

 

losses

 

value

 

U.S. treasury and agency securities

 

$

8,766

 

 

($89

)

 

$

8,677

 

Certificates of deposit

 

155

 

 

(1

)

 

154

 

Short-term municipal bonds

 

7,900

 

 

 

 

7,900

 

Corporate bonds

 

10,072

 

 

(68

)

 

10,004

 

 

 

$

26,893

 

 

($158

)

 

$

26,735

 

 

55




4. DEFERRED TELEVISION COSTS

As of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, deferred television costs consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

In-production

 

$

1,180

 

$

1,122

 

Development and pre-production

 

542

 

398

 

 

 

$

1,722

 

$

1,520

 

 

As of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, deferred costs included $360,000 and $278,000, respectively, of production overhead. Based upon management’s estimates as of December 31, 2006, 100% of capitalized television costs are expected to be recognized during fiscal 2007, and accordingly, are shown as current assets.

5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

As of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Furniture and equipment

 

$

1,959

 

$

1,170

 

Leasehold improvements

 

709

 

595

 

Software

 

278

 

228

 

Construction in progress(*)

 

1,753

 

5

 

 

 

4,699

 

1,998

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization.

 

(1,324

)

(727

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

3,375

 

$

1,271

 


*                    For 2006, $1.3 million relates to the purchase of CyberArts software whereby the Company was granted a perpetual, non-exclusive and nontransferable license for the object code of poker software and related banking and cardroom management software tools for the Company’s development of its own online poker room. The online poker room is expected to launch during the second quarter of 2007.

6. INVESTMENTS

On January 20, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately 58% (630,000 common shares) of its 11.7% interest in PokerTek, a company that offers an automated poker room to tribal and commercial casinos and card clubs. The Company closed the transaction on February 28, 2006, received net cash proceeds and recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $5.7 million. On September 8, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its remaining investment (450,000 common shares) at a price per share of $10.11, received net cash proceeds and recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $4.5 million.

On July 31, 2006, the Company acquired a 10% interest in Cecure Gaming (formerly 3G Scene Limited) (“Cecure”) for approximately $2.9 million in cash. Cecure designs and operates software and other products that enable it or its licensees to offer gaming services to customers via mobile devices. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over Cecure. At least quarterly, management reviews this investment for possible declines in fair value that may be determined to be other-than-temporary, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-1, The Meaning of Other-

56




Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. Management is currently unaware of any change in circumstance that might trigger such a decline.

7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During 2004, the Company repaid a $3.4 million loan from the Parent. The Company has licensed to the Parent the World Poker Tour name and logo in connection with a casino table game that the Parent has developed using certain intellectual property rights of Sklansky Games, LLC. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is entitled to receive a specified minimum annual royalty payment or 10% of the gross revenue received by the Parent from its sale or lease of the game once initial manufacturing costs are recouped, whichever is greater. The game was approved for distribution by certain gaming regulators in December 2005. During fiscal year 2006, the Company received approximately $30,000 in minimum royalty payments related to the game.

Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lakes and WPTE, along with his son Bradley Berman, who is an employee of Lakes and also a member of the Board of Directors of WPTE, each made personal investments in PokerTek, and, as of January 1, 2006, collectively owned approximately 9% of PokerTek. In addition, Lyle Berman served as Chairman of the Board of PokerTek and received 200,000 stock options in the company. During 2006 the Company sold its interest in PokerTek (Note 6).

Effective as of February 24, 2004, WPTE entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with G-III Apparel Group Ltd. (“GIII”). Morris Goldfarb, a Lakes director, is Co-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of G-III. Under the agreement, G-III licenses the World Poker Tour name, logo and trademark from WPTE in connection with G-III’s production of certain types of apparel for distribution in authorized channels within the United States, its territories and possessions and in certain circumstances, Canada. As consideration for this non-exclusive license, G-III paid royalties and certain other fees to WPTE of approximately $45,000, $311,000, and $25,000 in royalties during fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

8. INCOME TAXES

Prior to July 2004, the Company was not a tax-paying entity for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes has been included in the financial statements prior to such date.

The federal and state income tax provision (benefit) is summarized as follows:

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

3,484

 

$

(124

)

$

132

 

State

 

908

 

9

 

41

 

 

 

4,392

 

(115

)

173

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

124

 

(132

)

State

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

(132

)

Total provision for income taxes

 

$

4,392

 

$

9

 

$

41

 

 

57




A reconciliation of the provision (benefit) for income taxes with amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Statutory federal tax rate

 

$

4,135

 

34.0

%

$

(1,698

)

(34

)%

$

270

 

34

%

State taxes, net of federal benefit

 

658

 

5.4

 

(1,027

)

(20.6

)

(2

)

(0.2

)

Tax exempt income

 

(45

)

(0.3

)

(17

)

(0.3

)

(23

)

(2.9

)

Other, net

 

(3

)

(0.1

)

(8

)

(0.1

)

2

 

0.3

 

Partnership deferred tax benefits

 

 

 

 

 

(626

)

(78.9

)

Valuation allowance*

 

(353

)

(2.9

)

2,759

 

55.2

 

420

 

52.9

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

4,392

 

36.1

%

$

9

 

0.2

%

$

41

 

5.2

%


*                    Does not consider the tax effect of unrealized holding gains (losses) of $10.4 million and the exercise of employee stock options of $11.4 million in 2005.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options cost

 

$

1,673

 

$

257

 

Accruals, reserves and other

 

136

 

90

 

Valuation allowance

 

(1,641

)

(337

)

Total current deferred tax asset

 

168

 

10

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal net operating losses

 

775

 

5,953

 

State net operating losses, net of federal benefit

 

134

 

1,027

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

79

 

 

Valuation allowance

 

(978

)

(2,635

)

Total non-current deferred tax asset

 

10

 

4,345

 

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

$

147

 

$

165

 

Other

 

2

 

4

 

Total current deferred tax liability

 

149

 

169

 

Non-current:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains on investments

 

$

 

$

4,179

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

29

 

7

 

Total non-current deferred tax liability

 

29

 

4,186

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

 

$

 

 

The temporary differences described above represent differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. A valuation allowance has been provided as it is more likely than not that the remaining deferred tax assets

58




will not be recovered in the foreseeable future. The Company’s current growth plans may include international expansion, primarily related to its online gaming business, expansion of the television and product licensing businesses, acquisitions and entry into new branded gaming businesses. Although the Company anticipates that all potential strategies will be accretive to earnings, they are aware of the risks involved with an aggressive growth strategy. Therefore, based on the Company’s limited and volatile earnings history, the Company believes that a 100% valuation allowance for deferred tax assets continues to be appropriate.

At December 31, 2006, the Company’s federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of approximately $2.3 and $2.2 million, respectively, are related to stock option exercises, and, accordingly, when realized, will not have any effect on future reported income but rather will reduce tax liabilites and increase additional paid-in capital. These federal and state NOL carryforwards expire in 2026 and 2016, respectively. All other federal and state NOL carryforwards from 2005 were realized in 2006 and utilized to offset taxable income.

9. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) initially provided for grant awards up to 3,120,000 shares of common stock, including the options to purchase up to 1,120,000 shares of common stock issued to employees and consultants prior to becoming a publicly-traded company. On May 31, 2006, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2004 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance to 4,200,000 shares. The options vest in equal installments over three-year and five-year periods, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of each grant and continue on each subsequent anniversary date until the option is fully vested. The employee must be employed with the Company on the anniversary date in order to vest in any shares for that year. Vested options are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant; however, if the employee is terminated (voluntarily or involuntarily), any unvested options as of the date of termination will be forfeited. WPTE issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of options.

Share-based compensation expense included in selling and administrative expenses and cost of revenues in 2006 was $3.5 million and $0.3 million ($0.1 million related to employees accounted for under FAS 123(R) and $0.2 million related to consultants accounted for under EITF 96-18), respectively. There was no employee and director share-based compensation expense in 2005 and 2004 as the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) in 2006. As of December 31, 2006, total estimated compensation cost related to non-vested share-based options not yet recognized was $4.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 34 months on a weighted-average basis.

The table below summarizes share-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to employee stock options under SFAS 123(R), which was allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Year  ended
December 31, 2006

 

Total cost of share-based payment plans

 

 

$

3,568

 

 

Amounts capitalized in deferred television costs

 

 

14

 

 

Amounts charged against income, before income tax benefit

 

 

3,554

 

 

Amount of related income tax benefit recognized in income

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2006, no income tax benefit was recognized in the statement of earnings (loss) for share-based compensation arrangements. Management assessed the likelihood that the deferred tax assets relating to future tax deductions from share-based compensation will be recovered from future taxable income and determined that a valuation allowance is necessary, to the extent that management currently believes it is more likely than not that tax benefits will not be realized.

59




Management’s determination is based primarily on historical earnings volatility, and the Company’s relatively short operating history.

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2006, January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2005:

 

 

 

 

Number of Common Shares

 

 

 

Options
outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

Available
for grant

 

Weighted avg.
exercise
price

 

Balances at December 28, 2003

 

 

1,120,000

 

 

280,000

 

 

 

$

0.0049

 

 

Authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

1,441,000

 

 

 

 

(1,441,000

)

 

8.18

 

 

Balances at January 2, 2005

 

 

2,561,000

 

 

560,000

 

559,000

 

 

4.61

 

 

Granted

 

 

443,000

 

 

 

 

(443,000

)

 

12.75

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(167,667

)

 

 

 

167,667

 

 

11.99

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(678,333

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0049

 

 

Balances at January 1, 2006

 

 

2,158,000

 

 

620,333

 

283,667

 

 

7.14

 

 

Authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,080,000

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

754,500

 

 

 

 

(754,500

)

 

4.92

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(374,334

)

 

 

 

374,334

 

 

9.21

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(220,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0049

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2006

 

 

2,318,166

 

 

1,050,200

 

983,501

 

 

$

6.76

 

 

 

The following table summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2006:

Options outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

Options exercisable at
December 31, 2006

 

Range of exercise prices

 

 

 

Number
outstanding

 

Weighted avg.
remaining
contractual life

 

Weighted avg.
exercise
price

 

Number
exercisable

 

Weighted
avg.
price

 

Aggregate Intrinsic
Value

 

$0.0049

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

5.15

 

 

 

$

0.0049

 

 

225,000

 

$

0.0049

 

 

$

869,648

 

 

$3.93-4.26

 

 

426,000

 

 

 

9.77

 

 

 

4.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$5.18-9.92

 

 

1,416,500

 

 

 

7.96

 

 

 

7.58

 

 

759,867

 

8.05

 

 

 

 

$11.95-14.51

 

 

224,333

 

 

 

8.60

 

 

 

12.23

 

 

56,333

 

12.71

 

 

 

 

$15.05-19.50

 

 

26,333

 

 

 

8.60

 

 

 

15.28

 

 

9,000

 

15.38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,318,166

 

 

 

8.09

 

 

 

$

6.76

 

 

1,050,200

 

$

6.64

 

 

$

869,648

 

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $3.87 on December 29, 2006, which would have been received by the option holders had they exercised their options as of that date. As of December 31, 2006, the total number of “in-the-money” options was 225,000. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2006 was $1.4 million.

60




Had the Company reported compensation costs as determined by the fair value method of accounting for option grants to employees and directors under SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-based Compensation (“SFAS 123”) in 2005 and 2004, net loss and net loss per common share would approximate the following pro forma amounts (in thousands, except per share data):

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Net earnings (loss) as reported

 

$

(5,003

)

$

752

 

Deduct: total equity-based compensation expense determined under the fair value method

 

(2,353

)

(874

)

Pro forma net loss under SFAS No. 123

 

$

(7,356

)

$

(122

)

Net earnings (loss) per common share—basic—as reported

 

$

(0.26

)

$

0.05

 

Net earnings (loss) per common share—diluted—as reported

 

$

(0.26

)

$

0.04

 

Pro forma net loss per common share—basic and diluted

 

$

(0.38

)

$

(0.01

)

 

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of options is assumed to be amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. The weighted-average fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.04

%

4.05

%

Expected life

 

5 years

 

5 years

 

Expected dividend yield

 

 

 

Weighted average fair value

 

$

8.77

 

$

5.52

 

Annualized volatility

 

99.30

%

46.13

%

 

Restricted shares issued

On March 4, 2002, the Company granted 2,400,000 shares to its Chief Executive Officer and President under a management agreement. The shares vest in four equal installments annually beginning February 25, 2003, and were fully vested on February 25, 2006.

Warrant issued

In connection with its initial public offering on August 9, 2004, the Company issued to its lead underwriter, Feltl & Company, a warrant to purchase up to a total of 400,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $12.80 for a period of four years. The warrant became exercisable on August 9, 2005, and as of December 31, 2006, the warrant remains outstanding.

10. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company has a section 401(k) employee savings plan for eligible employees. The Company made no matching contribution during 2006, 2005 and 2004.

The Company’s post production group is currently operating under a collective bargaining agreement with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Under this agreement, the Company is obligated to make payments to the Motion Picture Industry and Health Plans. Contributions were $160,000 in 2006, and there were no contributions in 2005 and 2004.

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Employment agreement—The Company has an employment agreement with Steven Lipscomb, President and Chief Executive Officer, under which it has agreed to pay an annualized base salary of

61




$500,000 commencing on November 6, 2006, and ending on December 31, 2008. Either party may shorten the term so that it terminates on December 31, 2007, by providing written notice of such termination to the other party at any time prior to November 1, 2007. The Agreement also provides that Mr. Lipscomb will serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, and he will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan created by the Company’s Compensation Committee in its discretion that is agreeable to Mr. Lipscomb and the Company. Under a previously existing employment agreement with Mr. Lipscomb, he was entitled to an additional bonus equal to 5% of the Company’s annual net profits above $3.0 million in such fiscal year. This bonus was approximately $250,000 during 2006 and the agreement expired on December 29, 2006. The Company also previously granted Mr. Lipscomb options to purchase 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $8.00 per share on August 9, 2004, which options vest in equal installments over three years.

Lease—Effective March 1, 2005, the Company entered into a seventy-five month operating lease agreement for office space. On July 1, 2006, the Company also entered into a sixty month operating lease agreement for production space. Additionally, the Company entered into two operating leases in Israel. The first commenced in September 2006 in Nahariya for twelve months and the second began in February 2007 in Jerusalem for thirty-six months. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2006, January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2005 was $747,000, $469,000 and $140,000, respectively. Aggregate future minimum lease payments under these leases for the next four years are as follows:

·       2007: $858,000

·       2008: $881,000

·       2009: $910,000

·       2010: $920,000

·       2011: $420,000

Litigation—On July 19, 2006, a legal action was commenced against the Company by seven poker players that alleges, among other things, an unfair business practice of the Company. Although unable to predict the ultimate outcome, management believes that the claims asserted in the complaint are misleading and without merit and that the Company is not likely to sustain any material loss in connection with this matter and, therefore, has made no provision for it in the financial statements.

The Company is currently a party to other matters of litigation pending or threatened. Since management is unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of these matters, no provision for loss has been made in connection therewith. Nevertheless, management believes any losses the Company might sustain in such matters are not likely to be material.

12. 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 management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

Year ended December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Studios

 

Consumer
products

 

Corporate
alliances

 

Online
gaming

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

20,960

 

 

$

3,613

 

 

 

$

1,538

 

 

$

3,150

 

 

$

 

 

$

29,261

 

Cost of revenues

 

7,918

 

 

587

 

 

 

119

 

 

1,692

 

 

 

 

10,316

 

Gross profit

 

13,042

 

 

3,026

 

 

 

1,419

 

 

1,458

 

 

 

 

18,945

 

Total assets

 

2,904

 

 

1,598

 

 

 

108

 

 

999

 

 

45,731

 

 

51,340

 

Depreciation

 

340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

247

 

 

597

 

 

62




For the year ended December 31, 2006, studio revenues were comprised of $16.9 million of domestic television revenues, $3.0 million of international television revenues and $1.1 million of casino host fee revenues.

Year ended January 1, 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

Studios

 

Consumer
products

 

Corporate
alliances

 

Online
gaming

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

11,503

 

 

$

4,816

 

 

 

$

880

 

 

 

$

864

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

18,063

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

8,928

 

 

650

 

 

 

 

 

 

409

 

 

 

 

 

9,987

 

 

Gross profit

 

2,575

 

 

4,166

 

 

 

880

 

 

 

455

 

 

 

 

 

8,076

 

 

Total assets

 

3,173

 

 

1,185

 

 

 

117

 

 

 

731

 

 

 

41,054

 

 

46,260

 

 

Depreciation

 

265

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

161

 

 

426

 

 

 

For the year ended January 1, 2006, studio revenues were comprised of $7.6 million of domestic television revenues, $2.9 million of international television revenues and $1.0 million of casino host fee revenues.

Year ended January 2, 2005 (in thousands):

 

 

Studios

 

Consumer
products

 

Corporate
alliances

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenues

 

$

14,740

 

 

$

2,234

 

 

 

$

583

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

17,557

 

Cost of revenues

 

10,139

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,244

 

Gross profit

 

4,601

 

 

2,129

 

 

 

583

 

 

 

 

 

7,313

 

Total assets

 

1,845

 

 

1,187

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

33,996

 

 

37,113

 

Depreciation

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

170

 

 

For the year ended January 2, 2005, studio revenues were comprised of $12.7 million of domestic television revenues, $1.1 million of international television revenues and $0.9 million of casino host fee revenues.

Item 9.                        Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.                Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

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

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

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Our internal control system is

63




designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management assessed the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the framework set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006. Piercy Bowler Taylor and Kern, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. That report is included herein.

Item 9B.               Other Information

On November 30, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the following revised compensation arrangements for non-employee directors of the Company, effective January 1, 2007. Each non-employee director receives an annual cash fee of $50,000 per year. In addition, the Chair of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $10,000 per year, and the Chair of the Compensation Committee receives a fee of $5,000 per year. Each non-employee director shall receive, on the date of his or her re-election to the Board, a non-qualified stock option under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 4,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the common stock.

64




PART III

Item 10.                 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item 11.                 Executive Compensation

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item12.                    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item 13.                 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

Item 14.                 Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

65




PART IV

Item 15.                 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 3.2

 

Bylaws of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 4.1

 

Form of Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 10.1

 

Acquisition Master Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2003, by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and the Travel Channel, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).†

 

 10.2

 

Acquisition Master Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2003, by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and the Travel Channel, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).†

 

 10.3

 

Letter dated May 20, 2004 from the Travel Channel, L.L.C. to World Poker Tour, LLC(incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 10.4

 

Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2002, by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and Lakes Poker Tour, LLC(incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 10.5

 

WPT Enterprises, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).*

 

 10.6

 

Letter Agreement dated as of June 25, 2004 by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and the Travel Channel L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).†

 

 10.7

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and directors and officers of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).

 

 10.8

 

Employment Agreement dated April 15, 2004 by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and Audrey Kania (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).*

 

 10.9

 

Employment Agreement dated April 15, 2004 by and between World Poker Tour, LLC and Robyn Moder (incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Form S-1 registration statement of the registrant (File No. 333-114479)).*

 

 10.10

 

Amendment Number 3, dated June 23, 2004 to Acquisition Master Agreement dated August 22, 2003, by and between The Travel Channel, L.L.C. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (f/k/a World Poker Tour, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended July 4, 2004).††

 

 10.11

 

Office Lease, dated as of September 24, 2004, by and between Wilshire Courtyard L.L.C. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended October 3, 2004).

 

 10.12

 

Amendment Number 5, dated August 18, 2004 to Acquisition Master Agreement dated August 22, 2003, by and between The Travel Channel, L.L.C. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (f/k/a World Poker Tour, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended October 3, 2004).††

 

66




 

 10.13

 

Amendment Number 6, dated as of October 13, 2004 to Acquisition Master Agreement dated August 22, 2003, by and between The Travel Channel, L.L.C. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (f/k/a World Poker Tour, LLC) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Form 10-K of the registrant for the year ended January 2, 2005).†††

 

 10.14

 

Brand License and Online Casino Operating Agreement dated January 19, 2005 by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and WagerWorks Alderney 3 Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended April 3, 2005).†††

 

 10.15

 

Amendment Number 2, dated as of January 25, 2006 to Acquisition Master Agreement dated January 22, 2003, and Amendment Number 7, dated as of January 25, 2006 to Acquisition Master Agreement dated August 22, 2003, by and between Discovery Communications, Inc. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Form 10-K of the registrant for the year ended January 1, 2006).

 

 10.16

 

Acquisition Master Agreement, dated as of January 25, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and Discovery Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-K of the registrant for the year ended January 1, 2006).††

 

 10.17

 

Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2005 by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and Steven Lipscomb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K report of the registrant filed on April 6, 2005).*

 

10.18

 

Option Exercise Letter from Discovery Communications, Inc. to WPT Enterprises, Inc., dated March 16, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K report of the registrant filed on March 21, 2006).

 

10.19

 

Material Terms of Peter Hughes Employment, effective as of January 23, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended April 2, 2006).

 

10.20

 

Amendment to Lease, dated March 21, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and RREEF America REITT II Corp. BBBB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended April 2, 2006, 2006).

 

10.21

 

Amendments to the WPT 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, dated May 31, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K report of the registrant filed on June 6, 2006).

 

10.22

 

Amendment Number 1, dated July 10, 2006, to the Brand License and Online Casino Operating Agreement dated January 19, 2005 by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and WagerWorks Alderney 3 Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K report of the registrant filed on July 14, 2006).

 

10.23

 

CyberArts Source Code License and Services Agreement, dated June 21, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and CyberArts Licensing, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended July 2, 2006).

 

10.24

 

Subscription and Shareholders’ Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc., Cecure Gaming (f/k/a 3G Scene Limited), Bessemer Venture Partners VI, L.P. and its related investment partners and certain shareholders of Cecure Gaming (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10-Q report of the registrant for the quarter ended October 1, 2006).

 

10.25

 

Employment Agreement, dated November 9, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and Steven Lipscomb (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K report of the registrant filed on November 13, 2006).*

 

10.26

 

Material Terms of Scott Friedman Employment, effective as of September 22, 2006.*

 

10.27

 

Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement.*

 

10.28

 

Television Sponsorship Agreement, dated November 31, 2006, by and between WPT Enterprises, Inc. and iGlobalMedia Marketing (Gibraltar) Limited. ††

 

10.29

 

Material Terms of Compensation of Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors.*

 

67




 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries.

 

 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

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

 


*                    Compensation plan or agreement.

                    Confidential treatment has been requested as to certain portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 406 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

††             Confidential treatment has been requested as to certain portions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

†††      Confidential treatment has been granted as to certain provisions of this exhibit pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

68




SIGNATURES

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

(“Registrant”)

 

 

Dated: March 15, 2007

By

/s/ STEVEN LIPSCOMB

 

 

Steven Lipscomb

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on March 15, 2007 by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities indicated.

Signature

 

 

 

Title

 

/s/ STEVEN LIPSCOMB

 

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Steven Lipscomb

 

(principal executive officer)

/s/ SCOTT A. FRIEDMAN

 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting

Scott A. Friedman

 

officer) and Treasurer

/s/ LYLE BERMAN

 

Chairman of the Board

Lyle Berman

 

 

/s/ TIMOTHY J. COPE

 

Director

Timothy J. Cope

 

 

/s/ RAY MOBERG

 

Director

Ray Moberg

 

 

/s/ BRADLEY BERMAN

 

Director

Bradley Berman

 

 

/s/ GLENN PADNICK

 

Director

Glenn Padnick

 

 

/s/ JOSEPH CARSON, JR.

 

Director

Joseph Carson, Jr.

 

 

/s/ MIMI ROGERS

 

Director

Mimi Rogers

 

 

/s/ MICHAEL BEINDORFF

 

Director

Michael Beindorff

 

 

 

69



EX-10.26 2 a07-7654_1ex10d26.htm EX-10.26

EXHIBIT 10.26

MATERIAL TERMS OF SCOTT A. FRIEDMAN  EMPLOYMENT
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 22, 2006

·                     Hired as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective September 22, 2006.

·                     Annual salary of $200,000.

·                     Eligible for a performance-based annual bonus pursuant to a company-wide employee bonus plan.

·                     Was granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price equal to the common stock’s market price on the date of grant of $3.93. The option vests in equal installments over a five year period, beginning on the first anniversary of the September 22, 2006 grant date and continuing on each subsequent anniversary date until fully vested.



EX-10.27 3 a07-7654_1ex10d27.htm EX-10.27

EXHIBIT 10.27

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(2004 Stock Incentive Plan - Employee)

This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is made effective as of this      day of              , 200  , between WPT Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”), and                 (“Employee”).

BACKGROUND

A.                   Employee has either been hired to serve as an Employee of the Company or the Company desires to induce Employee to continue to serve the Company as an Employee.

B.                     The Company has adopted the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which shares of common stock, $.001 par value, of the Company have been reserved for issuance under the Plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.                       Grant of Option.  The Company hereby irrevocably grants from the Plan to Employee the right and option (hereinafter referred to as the “Option”) to purchase from the Company all or any portion of an aggregate of                     (           ) shares of the common stock, $.001 par value, of the Company (the “Shares”) (such number being subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Plan) subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

2.                       Purchase Price.  The purchase price of the Shares covered by the Option shall be $   .     per Share.

3.                       Exercise and Vesting of Option.  The Option shall be exercisable only to the extent that all or any portion thereof, has vested in Employee.  The Option shall vest in equal installments over a three (3) year period, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement and continuing on each subsequent anniversary date (hereinafter referred to singularly as a “Vesting Date” and collectively as “Vesting Dates”) until the Option is fully vested, as set forth in the following schedule:

No. of Shares To Be Vested

 

Vesting Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




In the event that Employee ceases to be employed by the Company, for any reason or no reason, prior to any Vesting Date, that portion of the Option scheduled to vest on such Vesting Date, and all portions of the Option scheduled to vest in the future, shall not vest and all of Employee’s rights to and under such non-vested portions of the Option shall terminate.

4.                 Term of Option.  To the extent vested, and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Option shall be exercisable for ten (10) years from the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that Employee ceases to be employed by the Company, for any reason or no reason, Employee or his/her legal representative shall have ninety (90) days from the date of such termination of employment, or, if earlier, until the expiration of the Option as set forth above, to exercise any portion of the Option vested pursuant to Sections 3 or 4 of this Agreement.  Upon the expiration of such ninety (90) day period, or, if earlier, upon expiration of the Option as set forth above, the Option shall terminate and become null and void.

5.                 Manner of Exercising Option.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice to the Company, specifying the number of Shares to be purchased and accompanied by the full purchase price for such Shares. Any such notice shall be deemed given when received by the Company at its corporate headquarters.  The purchase price shall be payable (a) in United States dollars upon exercise of the option and may be paid by cash; uncertified or certified check; bank draft; (b) at the discretion of the Committee, by delivery of shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the option price, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value (as such term is defined in the Plan) on the date such option is exercised; or (c) at the discretion of the Committee, by instructing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the stock option shares of Common Stock in payment of all or any part of the exercise price and/or any related withholding tax obligations, which shares shall be valued for this purpose at the Fair Market Value or in such other manner as may be authorized from time to time by the Committee.  All Shares that shall be purchased upon the exercise of the Option as provided herein shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

6.                 Rights of Option Holder.  Employee, as holder of the Option, shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares covered by the Option except to the extent that one or more certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to him upon the due exercise of all or any portion of the Option.

7.                 Non-Transferability.  The Option shall not be transferred, pledged or assigned except, in the event Employee’s death, by will or the laws of descent and distribution to the limited extent provided in the Plan, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or the rules thereunder, and the Company shall not be required to recognize any attempted assignment of such rights.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Option may be transferred by Employee to Employee’s spouse, children, grandchildren or parents (collectively, the “Family Members”), to trusts for the benefit of Family Members, to

2




partnerships or limited liability companies in which Family Members are the only partners or shareholders, or to entities exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  During Employee’s lifetime, the Option may be exercised only by him or her, by his or her guardian or legal representative or by the transferees permitted by the preceding sentence.

8.                 No Continued Employment or Right to Corporate Assets.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to grant Employee any right to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time or to any right to continue his or her present or any other rate of compensation, nor shall this Agreement be construed as giving Employee, Employee’s beneficiaries or any other person any equity or interests of any kind in the assets of the Company or creating a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company and any such person.

9.                       Employee Representations.  Employee hereby represents and warrants that:

(a)                                  Employee has reviewed with their own tax advisors the federal, state, and local tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Employee is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representation of the Company or any of its agents.  Employee understands that he will be solely responsible for any tax liability that may result to him as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(b)                                 The Option, if exercised, will be exercised for investment and not with a view to the sale or distribution of the Shares to be received upon exercise thereof.

10.                 The Plan.  The Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is governed by the terms thereof, which are incorporated herein by reference.  In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern and control.

11.                 Governing Law.  This Agreement, in its interpretation and effect, shall be governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota applicable to contracts executed and to be performed therein.

12.                 Further Assurances.  Each party hereto agrees to execute such further papers, agreements, assignments or documents of title as may be necessary or desirable to affect the purposes of this Agreement and carry out its provisions.

13.                 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Plan embody the entire agreement made between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered herein and shall not be modified except by a writing signed by the party to be charged.

14.                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

3




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, Employee

 

4



EX-10.28 4 a07-7654_1ex10d28.htm EX-10.28

Exhibit 10.28

Portions herein identified by **have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential  treatment and have been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 

 

 

 

31  November  2006

 

 

The WPT Enterprises, Inc.

- and -

PartyGaming Marketing (Gibraltar)

_________________________

TELEVISION SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT

_________________________

1




Execution Version

THIS AGREEMENT is made the 31st day of November 2006.
BETWEEN

The WPT Enterprises, Inc. (a Delaware Limited liability Corporation) whose registered office is situated at 5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste. 350, Los Angeles, California 90036, USA (“WPT”); and

iGlobalMedia Marketing (Gibraltar) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Gibraltar whose registered office is situated at 57/63 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar, d/b/a “Party Gaming Marketing (Gibraltar)” with its principal place of business located at Regal House, Queensway, Gibraltar (“PartyPoker”).

each a “Party” and together the “Parties”.

1.              General Provisions

1.1.                                                      The section and schedule headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

1.2.                                                      References to the singular include the plural and vice versa, and references to one gender include the other gender.

1.3.                                                      Any phrase introduced by the expressions “including” or “in particular” or any similar expression shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms.

1.4.                                                      Any references to Regulations (“Regulations”) shall be deemed to include (i) any statutory provisions and subordinate legislation, by-laws, licences, statutory instruments, rules, regulations, orders, notices, directions, consents or permissions made under that legislation, (ii) shall be construed as referring to any legislation which replaces, re-enacts, amends or consolidates such legislation (with or without modification) at any time, and (iii) any rule, by-law, license, regulation order, notices, directions consents or permissions made by a licensing body.

1.5.                                                      Any references to “Season” means the applicable series of Episodes (as defined below).

1.6.                                                      Any references to “Episode” means any individual television programme of International WPT Episodes or International PPT Episodes as appropriate.

1.7.                                                      References to PartyPoker Logos (or Marks) or WPT Logos (or Marks) shall mean those logos or marks as set forth on Appendix 3 or as may be substituted by the owning Party from time to time by notice in writing to the other Party.

1.8.                                                      Unless specifically provided to the contrary, all notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be served in accordance with Section 5.

1.9.                                                      All Appendixes and Exhibits to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein.

1.10.                                                The Parties intend to negotiate in good faith  with a view to enter into a Casino Member Agreement to reinstate the “PartyPoker Million” tournament (or other variation of name and format as approved by WPT and broadcaster) on the World Poker Tour.  The agreed-upon annual membership fee from PartyPoker to the World Poker Tour will be $100,000 all other terms to be negotiated in good

2




faith.

1.11.                                                PartyPoker provides marketing services for its Group which provides on-line gaming products and services and, amongst other things, owns, controls, manages and administers various online poker websites, one of which is “PartyPoker.com” and another “PartyPoker.net” which is a free to play online poker school.

2.              Commencement Date

The Commencement Date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be November 31, 2006.

3.              WPT/PPT Television Sponsorship.

3.1.                                          World Poker Tour Season IV, V, & VI.

3.1.1.       Party Poker Integrations/WPT.  In consideration of the World Poker Tour Series Fees set out in Section 3.1.7, WPT agrees to provide PartyPoker certain post-production produced integrated sponsorship rights (“Television Integration Rights”) (as Set forth In Appendix 2) for use in each Episode of the international broadcast of Seasons IV, V & VI of the World Poker Tour  (the “International WPT Episodes”) for the following period: (a) Season IV — Commencing on the date of the first television broadcast in any territory of PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first Season IV episode and ending three (3) years from such date; (b) Season V — Commencing on the date of the first television broadcast in any territory of the PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first  Season V episode  and ending three (3) years from such date; and (c) Season VI — Commencing on the date of the first television broadcast in any territory of the PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first Season VI episode and ending three (3) years from such date.  For purpose of clarity, WPT’s sole obligations under this Section 3.1.1 is to provide the Television Integration Rights in the International WPT Episodes delivered to the applicable Approved Broadcasters and a failure of an Approved Broadcaster to exhibit any International WPT Episode with the Television Integration Rights in full shall not constitute a breach by WPT under this Section 3.1.1 provided always that nothing shall negate PartyPoker’s right under Section 3.1.7 to be obliged only to make payment of the World Poker Tour Series Fees for Qualified Deals and, where applicable, only where the Minimum Integration has been achieved.

3.1.2.       WPT Integrations.   Notwithstanding Section 3.1.1 above, WPT shall be entitled to incorporate its own in-show brand integrations similar to the Television Integration Rights granted to PartyPoker (“WPT Integrations”) at a Brand Prominence with WPT at a ratio of 1:4 in favour of PartyPoker into the International WPT Episodes provided that any WPT Integration in flop shots shall be below the flop and the poker table itself shall not include any URL extension for any online gaming website other than PartyPoker or a website which has as its main business referring visitors to one or more online gaming websites (e.g., the words “World Poker Tour” below the flop would be acceptable, www.wpt.com or www.wptacademy.com is not acceptable on the flop but would be acceptable in the 1:4 ration on the table ring).  For purpose of clarity, other than in regard to the flop shot and poker table, nothing in this Section 3.1.2 shall prohibit WPT from the promotion of its own online gaming sites in the International WPT Episodes. For the purposes of this Agreement the term “Brand Prominence” shall mean the relative prominence between the PartyPoker brand and WPT brands within the same Episode. For purposes of clarity but without prejudice to the grant to PartyPoker of the Television Integration Rights, PartyPoker acknowledges that there may be substantial physical on-site

3




WPT branding appearing in each Episode (similar to other sports leagues such as the NFL or NBA) and this form of WPT branding shall not be included within the calculation of WPT branding for the purposes of Brand Prominence.

3.1.3.       Option for Table Ring Branding.  PartyPoker may elect, at its sole discretion, to add to its Television Integration Rights with the addition of video branding on the poker table, table ring (“Table Ring Integration”) for an additional fee equal to the actual cost of providing such additional integration which shall be no more than Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000) per Episode.

3.1.4.       WPT Sponsorship Exclusivity.  Subject to Section 3.1.4.1, to the extent that it is within WPT’s commercially reasonable control WPT agrees not to offer or grant any in-show graphic sponsorship integration in any International WPT Episode (“International Sponsorship Rights”) during the periods PartyPoker is entitled to the Television Integration Rights for such Episodes pursuant to this Section 3.

3.1.4.1.       Notwithstanding Section 3.1.4, WPT may grant International Sponsorship Rights to other third party sponsors for the International WPT Episodes provided that: (i) no third party shall be given the right to be named as the title sponsor of the International WPT Episodes; and (ii) no International Sponsorship Rights shall allow promotion (whether directly or indirectly) of any type of real money online gaming other than as specifically allowed under this Agreement . For purpose of clarity, this section is intended to include the restriction of sponsorship integration of subscription based sites operated by a PartyPoker Competitor. In this Agreement the term “PartyPoker Competitor” means, excluding WPT, any other undertaking whose primary business is real money online gaming including but not limited to, such offerings by PokerStars, UltimateBet, and 888.

3.1.5.       Broadcast Commitments.  WPT’s compensation in each territory in respect to the International WPT Episodes shall be conditional upon successfully securing television broadcast distribution and broadcast with the pre-approved broadcasters (the “Approved Broadcasters”) for the International WPT Episodes in countries listed on the PartyPoker Primary Country List and on the PartyPoker Secondary Country List (such Approved Broadcasters and Primary Country List and Secondary Country List being set forth in Appendix 1).  In order to qualify as an Approved Broadcaster in an approved country (the “Qualified Deals”), the following conditions must be met:   (a) WPT must use commercially reasonable efforts to secure spot advertising and broadcast sponsorship (where available) exclusivity in favour of PartyPoker and WPT  for the category of online gaming (subject to the arrangement of the Parties in Section 3.1.6) and where such exclusivity cannot be obtained, WPT shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that there is a prohibition on any PartyPoker Competitor purchasing advertising or otherwise promoting its products during the broadcast of the International WPT Episodes; and (b) The time-slot for broadcast of the International WPT Episodes must be slated to begin airing before midnight for at least one broadcast run of at least half of the Episodes in the initial run on that Approved Broadcaster.

3.1.6.       Advertising Inventory Agreement.  PartyPoker will be responsible for negotiating advertising rates and obtaining advertising inventory around the exhibition of International WPT Episodes in each territory.  The Parties agree that WPT shall be entitled to purchase up to one-third of all available advertising inventory available to PartyPoker under those deals at the rates negotiated by PartyPoker.  A reasonable time before advertising fees become due to a broadcaster, PartyGaming will

4




provide WPT with no less than fifteen (15) days notice to contribute (or not) what share it would like (up to 1/3).  WPT must respond within that fifteen (15) days or lose the opportunity for this round of advertising on this network. The Parties further agree that the timing of such payments must be commercially reasonable (i.e. not unreasonably in advance of the show(s) airing).

3.1.7.       World Poker Tour Series Fees.  For each Approved Broadcaster on the PartyPoker Primary Country List, PartyPoker agrees to pay the following Fixed Fees for each Qualified Deal, up to Five (5) deals per Season, on the Payment Dates for the International WPT Episodes. PartyPoker further agrees to pay the following Additional Fees in regard to the International WPT Episodes for each additional country in which WPT secures distribution and broadcast of Qualified Deals on an Approved Broadcaster on the PartyPoker Secondary List or on remaining countries on the PartyPoker Primary Country List (i.e., excluding the initial five (5) countries). Notwithstanding the Additional Fee payment triggers, PartyPoker’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 3.1.7 shall be capped and shall not exceed the Maximum Season Fee for any applicable season.

 

Season


 

Fixed Fee(s)


 

Additional
Fee(s)

 

Maximum
Season
Fee(s)

 

Payment Dates


IV

 

$500,000 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY LIST

 

$125,000 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LIST

 

$5,000,000 (FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS)

 

For Fixed Fees (for Qualified Deals on the PartyPoker Primary Country List) and Additional Fees (for Qualified Deals on the Party Poker Secondary (or remaining Primary) Country Lists

PartyPoker will pay:

25% upon signing of the deal with the
Approved Broadcaster;

25% upon the initial broadcast of an Episode to air (regardless of order of Episodes) in a Season which contain Minimum Integration.; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V

 

$500,000 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY LIST

 

$125,000 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LIST

 

$6,000,000 (SIX MILLION US DOLLARS)

 

50% upon the initial broadcast of the tenth Episode to air (regardless of order of Episodes in a Season) which contains Minimum Integration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI

 

$500,000 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY LIST

 

$125,000 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LIST

 

$7,000,000 (SEVEN MILLION US DOLLARS)

 

For purposes of Fixed Fees and Addition Fees, Minimum Integration will mean: the inclusion of the PartyPoker Logo within the flop shot integration in substantially all of the occurrences of the flop shot in the Episode. Episodes will be deemed to contain Minimum Integration unless PartyGaming notifies WPT otherwise in writing within ten business days of airing.

In no event shall WPT be obligated to repay fees paid by PartyPoker pursuant to this Section.

 

5




3.2.                                          Professional Poker Tour Seasons I, II & III

3.2.1.       Party Poker Integrations/PPT.  In consideration of the Professional Poker Tour Series Fees set out in Section 3.2.7, WPT agrees to provide PartyPoker Television Integration Rights (as Set forth In Appendix 2) in each Episode of the international broadcast of Season I, II & III of the  Professional Poker Tour  (the “International PPT Episodes”) for the following period: (a) Season I — Commencing on the date of the first television broadcast in any territory of PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first Season I Episode and ending three (3) years from such date; (b) Season II — Commencing on the date of the first television broadcast in any territory of PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first Season II Episode  and ending three (3) years from such date; and (c) Season III — Commencing on the date of PartyPoker Primary Country List of the first television broadcast in any territory of the first Season III Episode and ending three (3) years from such date.  For purpose of clarity, WPT’s sole obligations under this Section 3.2.1 is provide Television Integration Rights in the International PPT Episodes delivered to applicable Approved Broadcasters and a failure of an Approved  Broadcaster to exhibit any International PPT Episode with the Television Integration Rights shall not constitute a breach by WPT under this Section 3.2.1 nor shall the failure of WPT to produce a

6




                                  Season II or III of the PPT  provided always that nothing shall negate PartyPoker’s right under Section 3.2.7 to be obliged only to make payment of the World Poker Tour Series Fees for Qualified Deals and, where applicable, only where the Minimum Integration has been achieved.

3.2.2.       PPT Integrations.   Notwithstanding Section 3.2.1 above, WPT shall be entitled to incorporate its own in-show WPT Integrations similar to the Television Integration Rights granted to PartyPoker at a Brand Prominence (defined above) with WPT at a ratio of 1:4 in favour of PartyPoker into the International PPT Episodes provided that any WPT Integration in flop shots shall be below the flop and the poker table itself shall not include any URL extension for any online gaming website other than PartyPoker or a website which has as its main business referring visitors to one or more online gaming websites  (e.g., the words  “Professional Poker Tour” below the flop would be acceptable, www.wpt.com or www.wptacademy.com is not acceptable on the flop shot but would be acceptable in the 1:4 ration on the table ring).  For purpose of clarity, other than in regard to the flop shot and poker table, nothing in this Section 3.2.2 shall prohibit WPT from the promotion of its own online gaming sites in the International PPT Episodes. For purposes of clarity but without prejudice to the grant to PartyPoker of the Television Integration Rights, PartyPoker acknowledges that there may be substantial physical on-site PPT branding appearing in each Episode (similar to other sports leagues such as the NFL or NBA) and this form of PPT branding shall not be included within the calculation of WPT branding for the purposes of Brand Prominence.

3.2.3.       Option for Table Ring Branding.  PartyPoker may elect, at its sole discretion, to add to its Television Integration Rights with Table Ring Integration for an additional fee equal to the actual cost of providing such additional integration which shall be no more than Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000) per Episode.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event PartyPoker and WPT come to an agreement for the domestic production/distribution of the Professional Poker Tour series, WPT agrees to provide on-site integration on the table ring in the international broadcasts at no additional cost provided there are no objections from the host-casino. domestic broadcaster or Regulatory issues. In the event of objection by either the host-casino, domestic broadcaster or where Regulatory issues arise, WPT shall inform PartyPoker and where PartyPoker elects and, it is reasonable to do so, WPT shall use commercially reasonable endeavours to challenge such decision.

3.2.4.       PPT Sponsorship Exclusivity.  Subject to Section 3.2.4.1, to the extent that it is within WPT’s commercially reasonable control WPT agrees not to offer or grant International Sponsorship Rights within any International PPT Episode during the periods PartyPoker is entitled to the Television Integration Rights for the episodes pursuant to this section 3.2.

3.2.4.1.       Notwithstanding Section 3.2.4, WPT may grant International Sponsorship Rights to other third party sponsors for the International WPT Episodes provided that (i) no third party shall be given the right to be named as the title sponsor of the International WPT Episodes; and (ii) no International Sponsorship Rights shall allow promotion (whether directly or indirectly) of any type of real money online gaming other than as specifically allowed under this Agreement. For purpose of clarity, this section is intended to encompass the restriction of sponsorship integration of subscription based sites operated by PartyPoker Competitors. ).

3.2.5.       Broadcaster Commitments.  WPT’s compensation in respect of the International PPT Episodes shall be conditional upon it successfully securing Qualified Deals

7




                                  (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to International PPT Episodes as for International WPT Episodes) with the Approved Broadcasters for the International PPT Episodes in countries listed on the PartyPoker Primary Country List and on the PartyPoker Secondary Country List (such Approved Broadcasters and Primary Country List and Secondary Country List being set forth in Appendix 1).

3.2.6.       Advertising Inventory Agreement.  PartyPoker will be responsible for negotiating advertising rates and obtaining advertising inventory around the exhibition of International PPT Episodes in each territory.  The Parties agree that WPT shall be entitled to purchase up to one-third of all available advertising inventory available to PartyPoker under those deals at the rates negotiated by PartyPoker.  A reasonable time before advertising fees become due to a broadcaster, PartyGaming will provide WPT with no less than fifteen (15) days notice to contribute (or not) what share it would like (up to 1/3).  WPT must respond within that fifteen (15) days or lose the opportunity for this round of advertising on this network. The Parties further agree that the timing of such payments must be commercially reasonable (i.e. not unreasonably in advance of the show(s) airing).

3.2.7.       Professional Poker Tour Series Fees.  For each Approved Broadcaster on the PartyPoker Primary Country List, PartyPoker agrees to pay the following Fixed Fees for each Qualified Deal, up to Five (5) deals per Season on the Payment Dates for the International PPT Episodes. PartyPoker further agrees to pay the following Additional Fees in regard to the International PPT Episodes for each additional country in which WPT secures distribution and broadcast of Qualified Deals on an Approved Broadcaster on the PartyPoker Secondary List or on remaining countries on the PartyPoker Primary Country List (i.e, excluding the initial five (5) countries).  Notwithstanding the Additional Fee payment triggers, PartyPoker’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 3.2.7 shall be capped and shall not exceed the Maximum Season Fee for any applicable season.

8




 

Season

 

“Fixed Fee(s)”

 

“Additional
Fee(s)”

 

“Maximum
Season Fee(s)”

 

“Payment Dates”

I

 

$200,000 (TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY COUNTRY LIST

 

$100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LIST

 

$3,000,000 (THREE MILLION US DOLLARS)

 

For Fixed Fees (for Qualified Deals on the PartyPoker Primary Country List) and Additional Fees (for Qualified Deals on the Party Poker Secondary (or remaining Primary) Country Lists

PartyPoker will pay:

25% upon signing of the deal with the
Approved Broadcaster;

25% upon the initial broadcast of an Episode to air (regardless of order of Episodes) in a Season which contain Minimum Integration.; and

II

 

$300,000(THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY COUNTRY LIST

 

$100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY/SECONDARY LIST

 

$4,000,000 (FOUR MILLION US DOLLARS)

 


50% upon the initial broadcast of the tenth Episode to air (regardless of order of Episodes in a Season) which contains Minimum Integration.

For purposes of Fixed Fees and Addition Fees, Minimum Integration will mean: the inclusion of the PartyPoker Logo within the flop shot integration in substantially all of the occurrences of the flop shot in the Episode. Episodes will be deemed to contain Minimum Integration unless PartyGaming notifies WPT otherwise in writing within ten business days of airing

In no event shall WPT be obligated to repay fees paid by PartyPoker pursuant to this Section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III

 

$300,000 (THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) PER QUALIFIED DEAL ON THE PRIMARY COUNTRY LIST

 

$100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS)

 

$5,000,000 (FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS)

 

 

9




4.              WPT Regional Tour Events

4.1.                                          The Parties may elect in the future to produce co-branded regional tours.  In such event, the Parties will negotiate in good faith the specifics of the regional tour arrangements (e.g., fees, payments, etc.).

5.              Notices

5.1.                                                      Any notice required or permitted to be given by either Party to the other under this Agreement shall be given by properly addressed and appropriately headed Email and by overnight courier to the relevant addresses as may be provided from time to time.

5.1.1.                     PartyPoker shall serve notice by courier on the WPT at its registered addresses as set out above and marked for the attention of Adam Pliska, General Counsel. Any notice by email by PartyPoker shall be sent to slipscomb@worldpokertour.com and copied to apliska@worldpokertour.com  unless PartyPoker is notified otherwise.

5.1.2.                     The WPT shall serve notice by courier on PartyPoker to the address of its principal place of business and marked for the attention of the Director of Marketing. Any notice by email by the WPT shall be sent to davidw@partygaming.com and copied to richardh@partygaming.com  unless the WPT is notified otherwise.

5.2.                                                      Any such notice sent by a properly addressed and appropriately headed Email shall be deemed served upon receipt by the Party sending the same of an acknowledgement of sending, and if sent by courier, 24 hours after dispatch.

6.              Other Obligations of the Parties

6.1.                                                      PartyPoker agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to use its media relationships to assist in the distribution efforts of (a) the International WPT Episodes and (b) the International PPT Episodes (collectively, the “Agreement Programming”) while this Agreement is in effect.

6.2.                                                      The Parties agree to work in good faith and in conjunction with each other in the distribution efforts regarding the Agreement Programming while this Agreement is in effect.

6.3.                                                      During the term of this Agreement and then only when it is commercially reasonable to do so, PartyPoker shall: (i) operate online satellite tournaments for World Poker Tour tournaments on an as and when basis (“Satellites”); (ii) maintain a tab or equivalent navigation to such Satellites within the poker client lobby of the www.partypoker.com platform; and (iii) generally promote the Satellites and the World Poker Tour Tournaments to which they relate on the www.partypoker.com website (the manner of such promotion shall be in the sole

10




                                                                        discretion of PartyPoker).

6.4.                                                      PartyPoker operates a poker website located at www.partypoker.com (the “.Com Site”). The .Com Site does not offer real money gaming to players who are currently located within the United States of America (“US Residents”), however US Residents may access the .Com Site and take part in poker games which do not comprise any wager. PartyPoker intends to offer third parties the right to advertise on the .Com Site (the “Inventory”). Certain Inventory shall be accessible to US Residents only (the “US Inventory”) PartyPoker shall provide 20% of the US Inventory each month for a period of six months from the date on which the WPT Banner is first visible on the .Com Site or until 10,000,000 page impressions have been achieved, whichever is the sooner. The WPT Banner shall mean an online banner advertisement for www.wptacademy.com  (160x90) which shall link directly to that website, the content of such banner shall be subject to the approval of PartyPoker (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

7.              Publicity.

7.1.                                                      Advertising of WPT Tournaments.  In conjunction with Section 6.3 and for the period of this Agreement, Party Poker shall have the right to use WPT Logos approved by WPT for PartyPoker’s use under this Agreement (the “Approved WPT Logos”) for its promotions driving to WPT Tournaments.  Additionally, WPT agrees to provide PartyPoker between five and ten promotional clips per Season for Party Poker use and exhibition on its website during that applicable Season.

8.              License to Use Marks

8.1.                                                      Each Party grants to the other, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the non-exclusive, non-assignable and non-transferable right to use the other Party’s approved trademarks and logos in connection with the obligations of this Agreement.  All proposed uses of either parties’ trademarks shall be subject to the review and prior written approval of the other party. Neither Party shall manufacture, distribute or authorize the manufacture or distribution of, any promotional merchandise which bears any of the other party’s trademark without the other Party’s prior written approval, unless such merchandise has been purchased or otherwise obtained directly from such Party or an authorized license of such Party.

8.2.                                                      Nothing in this Agreement shall act as an assignment or transfer of ownership of Intellectual Property. “Intellectual Property” means all patents, trade marks, service marks, goodwill, registered designs, copyrights, applications for any of those rights, trade and business names (including internet domain names and e-mail address names), unregistered trade marks and service marks, copyrights, know-how, database rights, rights in designs and inventions; and rights of the same or similar effect or nature as or to those mentioned above, in each case in any jurisdiction.

11




9.              Payment and Record Keeping Provisions

9.1.                                                      Provision of Invoices.  Payments due to WPT by PartyPoker under this Agreement shall be made against presentation by WPT of an invoice addressed to PartyGaming Marketing (Gibraltar) at the principal place of business which shall be paid within thirty days (30) of the receipt of such invoice.

9.2.                                                      Interest For Late Payments.  If any payment due under this Agreement is not made within thirty (30) days after the date of receipt of a valid invoice then the Party to whom the debt is due shall be entitled to charge interest on the unpaid amount calculated at a daily rate of two per cent (2%) per annum above the prevailing Barclays Bank plc base rate throughout the period from the due date until payment in full.

9.3.                                                      Record Keeping/Auditing.  While this Agreement is in effect and for a period of at least three (3) years thereafter, the Parties hereto shall maintain such books and records (collectively, “Records”) as are necessary to substantiate that (i) all warranties made by the parties in this Agreement are true and accurate in all respects and each respective Party is in full compliance with this Agreement, and (ii) all invoices and other charges submitted to either Party for payment by the other Party hereunder were valid and proper.  All Records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.  Twice every twelve (12) month period from execution hereof, the Parties and/or their representatives shall have the right, during normal business hours, upon seven (7) business days notice, to examine said Records.  The provisions of this Paragraph shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.

10.       General Warranties Of The Parties

10.1.                                                General Representations And Warranties. Each Party represents, warrants and undertakes to the other Party that: (i) such Party has the full corporate right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to grant the licenses granted hereunder and to perform the acts required of it hereunder; (ii) the execution of this Agreement by such Party, and the performance by such Party of its obligations and duties hereunder, do not and will not violate any agreement to which such Party is a party or by which it is otherwise bound; (iii) when executed and delivered by such Party, this Agreement will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms; (iv) such Party acknowledges that the other Party makes no representations, warranties or agreements related to the subject matter hereof that are not expressly provided for in this Agreement; (v) If at any time during this Agreement, a Party becomes aware of anything that may prevent it from performing its obligations hereunder, that Party shall  as soon as is reasonable in the circumstances  notify the other Party in writing of the same and the non-breaching Party shall upon receipt of such notification be entitled to seek further assurances.  If requested to provide such further assurances, the party requested shall take such actions (including, but not limited to, the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of documents) as may reasonably be requested by

12




                                                                        the other Party for the implementation or continuing performance of this Agreement; and (vi) each Party has secured all rights necessary to in regard to approved Marks under this Agreement and such approved Marks do not violate the third party rights of third parties

10.2.                                                WPT warrants, undertakes and represents the following (a) that it has or will acquire all necessary rights necessary to produce any television program in this agreement and to stage the World Poker Tour and Professional Poker Tour.   WPT further warrants that it intends during the term of this Agreement for the Professional Poker Tour to remain an invitational tournament for internationally recognised elite professional poker players.  If that intent changes, WPT will give PartyPoker written notice of the new format.  PartyPoker shall have thirty (30) days to give WPT written notice that it would like to withdraw from the PPT portion of this Agreement.  If such notice is not received by WPT, it will be assumed that the Agreement applies to the new format of the PPT.

11.       Ownership/Rights

11.1.                                                Ownership.  Nothing in this Agreement is to be construed to give PartyPoker any ownership interest of any kind in the International WPT Episodes or the International PPT Episodes.

11.2.                                                CopyrightWPT shall at all times be the sole exclusive owner of the copyright in each of the International WPT Episodes and International PPT Episodes.

11.3.                                                WPT’s Retention of Fees.  WPT shall be entitled to retain all revenues generated from the sale of tickets to any of its events, including, without limitation from all license fees generated from distribution of the International WPT Episodes and the International PPT Episodes.

12.       Insurance

12.1.                                                Each Party will maintain commercially reasonable and adequate insurance coverage to cover the risks associated with their activities and obligations in connection with this Agreement and provide a certificate evidencing such coverage.  Such certificate shall certify that the other party is listed as an additional insured under the insurance policy, which policy shall include a contractual liability endorsement to cover the obligations of this Agreement.

13.       Termination

13.1.                                                Without prejudice to any of the rights or remedies which may arise pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, either Party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement forthwith by notice in writing in the event of (a) the other Party entering into liquidation, whether compulsorily or voluntarily (save for the purpose of amalgamation or reconstruction) or compounding with its creditors or taking or

13




                                                                        suffering any similar action in consequence of debt; (b) the other Party being in material or persistent breach of any of its obligations hereunder, and if such breach is capable of remedy failing to comply within thirty (30) working days of a written notice requiring the remedy of such breach; (c) an administrator or administrative receiver being appointed over the assets of the other Party

14.       Termination Based on Regulations

14.1.                                                This Agreement may be terminated by WPT if WPT’s Board of Directors reasonably determines, in good faith, that one or more provisions of this Agreement, an affiliation with PartyPoker, a violation of Regulations, or individuals employed by PartyPoker could jeopardize any gaming regulatory license or permit held or applied for by WPT or Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (a “Defect”), wherein such Defect remains uncured within a reasonable time after notification by WPT to PartyPoker in writing, but in no event longer than ninety (90) days. Where WPT terminates under this Section 14.1, PartyPoker shall have no further obligation to make payment of any fees or costs which have not then accrued.

14.2.                                                This Agreement may be terminated by PartyPoker if any competent and duly authorised authority threatens or instigates regulatory enforcement proceedings or actions as a result of PartyPoker’s exercise of the Television Sponsorship Integration Rights and PartyPoker’s Board of Directors reasonably determine that it is no longer viable to continue with the Agreement. PartyPoker shall be required to provide reasonable evidence that such enforcement is imminent and that any such action has a reasonable prospect of success (based on the balance of probability test).  The Parties agree that such termination under this section shall not take effect until the Parties have had a reasonable time to consult which each other as to whether termination is necessary and reasonable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of termination under this Section 14.2, PartyPoker shall not be relieved of its obligations: in regard to the International WPT Episodes and International PPT Episodes to make payment of any accrued Fixed Fees and/or Addition Fees for any Qualified Deals prior to the date of termination, or in the event that fees have not been fully accrued based on payment terms related to the exhibition of a number of Episodes (e.g., the payment trigger based on the exhibition of a tenth Episode), then a fee based on the proportionate amount of Episodes which were actually broadcast in accordance with this Agreement.  WPT shall use all commercially reasonable endeavours to remove (or cause a broadcaster to remove) all PartyPoker Logos and branding from the International Episodes and Regional Tour Episodes.  PartyPoker will pay for any reasonable or pre-agreed out-of-pocket expenses WPT shall incur to so remove those logos and branding.

14.3                                                 As an alternative to termination, PartyPoker may elect by notice in writing to WPT to have any or all of the PartyPoker Marks, branding or other association removed from any or all of the International WPT Episodes or the PPT Episodes. Such removal shall be at PartyPoker’s own cost (which shall be reasonable and agreed in advance). WPT shall use all reasonable commercial endeavours to

14




                                                                        ensure that any broadcaster with whom it has a Qualified Deal is promptly provided with the updated version of the programme for broadcast and shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the PartyPoker branded version of the Episode is not broadcast. Nothing in this Section 14.3 shall relieve PartyPoker of its other obligations under this Agreement.  Furthermore, in the event that PartyPoker elects to remove branding pursuant to this Section, the Minimum Integration pursuant to 3.1.7 or 3.2.7 shall be deemed achieved for that applicable Qualified Deal.  For purpose of clarity, this Section 14.3 is intended to allow PartyPoker to remove branding while preserving WPT’s right to retain all sum it would otherwise be due under a Qualified Deal in a territory if such branding had not been removed.

15.       Effect of Termination

15.1.                                                In the event of early termination by either party, for whatever reason, in the event that the parties cannot agree a settlement through good faith negotiations within 30 days, the matter will be submitted to binding arbitration under JAMS, to determine the remaining responsibilities of the parties within the limits of liability in Section 16.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties understand neither WPT or PartyPoker will, in any way, be limited regarding actions it believes, at its sole discretion, it must take to comply with United States and international laws or to comply with Regulations. With regard to these issues, PartyPoker and WPT will be restricted to monetary damages awarded by the arbiter.

16.       Indemnification

16.1.                                                Indemnity.  Subject to the limits on liability in Section 17.1 of this Agreement, Each Party will defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless the other Party and the officers, directors, agents, affiliates, distributors, franchisees and employees of the other Party from any and all final awards of damages, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees arising directly from a third party claim, resulting from the indemnifying Party’s material breach of any obligation, representation, or warranty of this Agreement. The Indemnity is conditional on (i) the indemnified party notifying the indemnifying party of the existence of that claim as soon as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; (ii) the indemnified party giving indemnifying party all reasonable assistance at the indemnifying party’s own cost in connection with that claim; (iii) the indemnifying party, at its own cost, having sole control of the defence of that claim and all related settlement negotiations; (iv) without prejudice to the above, the  indemnified party taking all necessary steps to mitigate its losses; and (v) the extent the event that triggers this indemnity is attributable (directly or indirectly) to the indemnified party’s  wilful misconduct, negligence or its own material breach of the Agreement.

17.       Limitation of Liability.

17.1.                                                Neither Party will be liable to the other under or in connection with this Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), misrepresentation (other than where made fraudulently), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise for:

15




17.1.1.               any loss of business, contracts, profits, anticipated savings, goodwill, or revenue; or

17.1.2.               for any indirect or consequential loss whatsoever incurred by a Party whether or not the party relying on this provision was advised in advance of the possibility of any such loss.

17.2.                                                Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or restrict either Party’s liability for fraud, death or personal injury resulting from that Party’s negligence.

17.3.                                                Subject to Section 17.5, the total aggregate liability for any one event of series of unconnected events arising out of either the World Poker Tour Seasons or the Professional Poker Tour Seasons (each a “Tour”) for (i) PartyPoker under this Agreement shall be limited to the actual moneys owed or due to WPT as a result of its performance under the Agreement for the applicable Tour only; and (ii) WPT under this Agreement shall be limited to the actual moneys it received under this Agreement for the applicable Tour only.  For purpose of clarity, when calculating the liability caps, the Parties shall act as if two separate deals where made for each Series so that the overall cap of liability for each Season is limited by its own value.

17.4.                                                Notwithstanding the foregoing, for each Tour where a Party has successfully met its obligations and is not in material breach pursuant to this Agreement that Party’s limit of liability shall be reduced by that Season of the Tours fees under this Agreement.  For purpose of illustration only, in the event PartyPoker is not in material breach of its warranties and obligations and has paid WPT all fees owned for Season IV of the International WPT Episodes, its total limit of liability for Season’s V & VI shall be limited to those two remaining Seasons.

18.       Waiver of Injunctive Relief

18.1.                                                In the event of any breach by WPT of this Agreement or any of  WPT’s  obligations hereunder, the rights and remedies of PartyPoker shall be limited to the right to recover damages, if any, in an action at law, and PartyPoker  hereby waives any right or remedy in equity, including without limitation the right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief to enjoin, restrain or otherwise impair in any manner the production, distribution, exhibition, promotion or other exploitation of the television series and/or Episodes produced in connection with this Agreement or any parts or elements thereof.

19.       Confidentiality

19.1.                                                Each Party shall ensure that any of its employees, servants or agents shall not divulge or communicate directly or indirectly to any person other than those whose province it is to know the same or with proper authority (and shall use its best endeavours to prevent the publication or disclosure of) any of the trade secrets intentions or other confidential information of the other Party which it may

16




                                                                        receive or obtain during the currency of this Agreement but shall cease to apply to any information that comes into the public domain.

20.       Press Release

20.1.                                                No announcement or public releases shall be made by either Party in relation to this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other.

21.       Miscellaneous

21.1.                                                Entire Agreement.  This Agreement (together with the Appendices and other documents incorporated within the Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to its subject matter, and replaces and extinguishes all prior agreements, undertakings, arrangements, understandings or statements of any nature made by the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to such subject matter.

21.2.                                                Each Party acknowledges that it has not relied on any statements, warranties or representations given or made by any other Party under or in connection with this Agreement.

21.3.                                                Assignment.  Neither party shall assign, transfer or pledge this Agreement, or any interest or rights of any kind herein, without the prior written consent of the other party, except in connection with a merger, reorganization or sale of all or substantially all of the business or equity interests either party.  Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that WPT is acquired by a third-party (a “Third-Party Acquisition”), either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the other Party within Sixty (60) days after the public disclosure of sale of WPT.  For purpose of clarity, in the event of a termination pursuant to a Third-Party Acquisition, the Effect of Termination provisions of Section 15.1 shall control.

21.4.                                                Except as expressly set out in this Agreement all warranties and representations, whether oral or in writing and whether express or implied, either by operation of law, statutory or otherwise, are hereby expressly excluded to the maximum extent permitted by law.

21.5.                                                No Partnership.  This Agreement shall not create any partnership or joint venture between the Parties.

21.6.                                                WPT acknowledges that for all purposes under this Agreement, has no authority to bind PartyPoker in respect of third parties, and nothing in this Agreement shall constitute the appointment of one party as agent of the other.

21.7.                                                Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of England. Subject to the arbitration provisions of Section 15.1, the Parties irrevocably agree that the High Court of Justice of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any claim, dispute or difference concerning this Agreement and any matter arising there from.

17




21.8.                                                If any provision of the Agreement is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of the other provisions of this Agreement and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.

21.9.                                                Force Majeure.  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, a party will not be deemed to have materially breached this Agreement to the extent that performance of its obligations (except payment obligations) or attempts to cure any breach are delayed or prevented by reason of any act of God, fire, natural disaster, accident, act of government, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of a party.  The party whose performance is delayed or prevented must resume performance of its obligations as soon as practicable.

21.10.                                          No variation of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the parties.

21.11.                                          Survival Clause.  The following Sections shall survive any termination or expiration of this agreement: Sections 5, 8.1 (in regard to branding in shows added during the Term of this Agreement), 9.2, 9.3, 10-11, 13-22.

22.       Settlement and Waiver of Previous Claims.

22.1.                                                The Parties agree to waive any and all claims against the other Party, its Group, its directors, employees, agents and contractors arising prior to the Commencement Date whether or not the Parties were aware of the cause of action giving rise to the claim or not solely arising out of an agreement between the Parties dated May 1 2002 and any amendments to that agreement.

22.2.                                                The waiver set out in Section 22.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for whatever reason.

IN WITNESS whereof the parties acting by their duly authorised officials have set their hands the day and year first before written.

For and on behalf of:

The WPT Enterprises, Inc.

/s/ Adam Pliska

 

 

Adam Pliska

Date: 12/4/06

 

General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For and on behalf of :

 

iGlobalMedia Marketing (Gibraltar) Limited

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Rupam Deb

 

Date: 11/30/06

Rupam Deb

 

Director, Sales & Marketing

 

18




Appendix 1

Primary & Secondary Territory Lists

And Approved Broadcasters

As set out in the document Annexed to this Agreement.

WPT shall have the right to request that new broadcasters be added to the Approved Broadcaster list.  PartyPoker shall approve or deny inclusion of the new broadcaster within fifteen (15) days, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. It shall not be unreasonable for PartyPoker to withhold consent to the addition of an Approved Broadcaster where such additional broadcaster, in the opinion of PartyPoker, is less substantial than the current Approved Broadcasters.

PartyPoker shall have the right to request that new broadcasters be added or deleted to the Approved Broadcaster list. provided that WPT shall have the right approve or deny PartyPoker’s request, within WPT’s sole discretion.  WPT shall approval or denial shall be within fifteen (15) days of the request provided that a failure by WPT to respond will be deemed a denial.

19




Appendix 2

Television Sponsorship Integration

Post-Production in-show Integration shall include:

(a)                        Various animated and static PartyPoker logos throughout the covered Episodes;

(b)                       The static PartyPoker Logo on the table felt, including the “Flop Shot”;

(c)                        the PartyPoker logo on the WPT Hole Card Cam and Chip Count; and

(d)                       Four (4) to Five (5) verbal references to the applicable PartyPoker sponsor within the voiceover for each Programme.

20




Appendix 3

Marks And Logos

To be provided by the applicable party as soon as possible after the execution of this Agreement

 

21




 

Country

 

Broadcaster

 

Approved For
Distribution
Bonus

 

Specific Caveats

**

 

**

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES *

 

* Has to be on all feeds across Scandinavia

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

                            




 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

*

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 




 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES *

* Has to be on all feeds in Scandinavia

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 

YES

 

 




 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 




PG Approved Broadcaster List for WPT

 

 

 

Final Top 20 Primary Territory List

Final Top 20 Secondary Territory List

**

**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

No. of additional broadcasters added to list since first draft:

 

38

No. of additional broadcasters approved by PG since first draft:

 

23

No. of additional broadcasters declined by PG since first draft:

 

15

 




 

Country

 

Broadcaster

 

Adults 15-
34 SOV

 

Comments

 

Initial List

 

Approved For
Top 5

 

Approved For
Distribution
Bonus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 20
Primary
Territories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**

 

**

 

**

 

**

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES*

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

YES*

 

YES

 




 

Secondary
Top 20
Territories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**

 

**

 

**

 

**

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

NO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

NO

 

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* Has to be ** followed by repeats on both **

 

 

 

 

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* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

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* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

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YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES*

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES*

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES*

 

* Has to be on all feeds across the regions

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

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YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

 

 

 

 

YES*

 

* Has to be played across ** 1-3 a minimum of 4 times

 



EX-10.29 5 a07-7654_1ex10d29.htm EX-10.29

EXHIBIT 10.29

MATERIAL TERMS OF COMPENSATION FOR
NON-EMPLOYEE MEMBERS
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2007

Each non-employee member of WPT Enterprises, Inc.’s Board of Directors will receive the following as compensation for serving on the Board of Directors:

·                  Annual payment of $50,000.

·                  Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors will be paid an additional annual payment of $10,000.

·                  Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors will be paid an additional annual payment of $5,000.

·                  On the date of each non-employee director’s re-election to the Board, a non-qualified stock option under the Company’s 2004 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase 4,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value per share of the common stock will be granted.



EX-21.1 6 a07-7654_1ex21d1.htm EX-21.1

EXHIBIT 21.1

LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.

WPT Enterprises (Israel) Ltd.



EX-23.1 7 a07-7654_1ex23d1.htm EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors
WPT Enterprises, Inc.
Los Angeles, California

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements of WPT Enterprises, Inc. on Forms S-8 (file Nos. 333-122573 and 333-135819) of our reports dated February 15, 2007, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on the financial statements of WPT Enterprises, Inc. as of December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006, and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, January 1, 2006 and January 2, 2005, and on management’s assessment of and on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.

/s/ PIERCY BOWLER TAYLOR & KERN

Piercy, Bowler, Taylor & Kern,
Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors
A Professional Corporation
Las Vegas, Nevada

March 12, 2007



EX-31.1 8 a07-7654_1ex31d1.htm EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Steven Lipscomb, certify that:

1.                I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of WPT Enterprises, Inc.;

2.                Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

i.                    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

ii.                designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

iii.            evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

iv.              disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.              The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

i.                    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

ii.                any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Dated: March 15, 2007

/s/ STEVEN LIPSCOMB

 

Steven Lipscomb

 

Founder, Chief Executive Officer and President

 



EX-31.2 9 a07-7654_1ex31d2.htm EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Scott A. Friedman, certify that:

1.                I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of WPT Enterprises, Inc.;

2.                Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3.                Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.                The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

i.                    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

ii.                designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

iii.            evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

iv.              disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.                The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

i.                    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

ii.                any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controlsover financial reporting.

Dated: March 15, 2007

/s/ SCOTT A. FRIEDMAN

 

Scott A. Friedman

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 



EX-32.1 10 a07-7654_1ex32d1.htm EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

(18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

In connection with the Annual Report of WPT Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), Steven Lipscomb, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Scott A. Friedman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company does each hereby certify, pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. § 1350), that to each of their knowledge:

(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 15, 2007

 

/s/ STEVEN LIPSCOMB

 

 

Steven Lipscomb

 

 

Founder, Chief Executive Officer and President

Dated: March 15, 2007

 

/s/ SCOTT A. FRIEDMAN

 

 

Scott A. Friedman

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

[A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.]



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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----