Customer revenue up 21%, led by 33% increase in Internet casino

CryptoLogic Limited (TSX: CRY)(TSX: CXY)(NASDAQ: CRYP)(LSE: CRP), a world leader in Internet gaming software, today reported continued customer revenue growth and profitability for the first quarter ending March 31, 2008, as well as a series of new games and new customers that improve the company's outlook for 2008 and beyond.

CryptoLogic posted first-quarter revenue of $19.3 million and net earnings of $609,000, or $0.06 per fully diluted share. These numbers reflect several unique items amid a trend of continued growth in the company's core business. Excluding the impact of these items, the company grew its revenue by 21% compared to the same period a year ago due to strong casino growth from new offerings featuring Marvel Super Heroes Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four and an increased number of licensees.

"CryptoLogic is benefiting from a focused strategy of innovation, expansion, diversification and execution," said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic's President and CEO. "In the first quarter, CryptoLogic laid the foundations for future growth with investments in new games, new leadership and new partnerships with leading gaming and entertainment brands. That's why we are confident that CryptoLogic is on track for significant growth in 2008 and 2009."

CryptoLogic continues to have a strong balance sheet, ending the quarter with $81.0 million in net cash (as defined below). This provides the company with the resources and flexibility to enhance earnings through investments in gaming innovations and partnerships in key growth markets such as Asia.

Financial Highlights

Revenue

- CryptoLogic's customer revenue (i.e., excluding unique items) was up 21% to $18.3 million (Q1 2007: $15.1 million), led by 33% growth in the Internet casino business.

- Total revenue was largely unchanged from a year ago: $19.3 million in Q1 2008 (Q1 2007: $19.6 million).

Expenses

- Operating expenses were $14.4 million (Q1 2007: $13.6 million), up $0.8 million from a year ago; after normalizing for unique items, operating expenses were $12.6 million, a 7.9% decrease from Q1 2007.

Net earnings

- Net earnings were $0.6 million, or $0.06 per fully diluted share (Q1 2007: $1.5 million). The reduction is due largely to the one-time expenses noted above, and to a $4.5 million one-time benefit recorded in Q1 2007.

Balance sheet

- Net cash was $81.0 million on March 31, 2008, up $3.5 million since December 31, 2007.

Operational highlights:

New leadership

- In February, CryptoLogic hired Brian Hadfield as its new President and CEO. Mr. Hadfield, who joined CryptoLogic as a director last year, is a senior technology executive who has managed major international businesses, including Unisys Limited's operations in the U.K., Middle East, Africa and India.

Leadership through innovation

- CryptoLogic completed development of seven exclusive new casino games, highlighted by the Internet's first slot version of the world-famous Street Fighter II arcade game.

- The company continued to see revenue growth from core customers due in part to the popularity of its new slot games featuring Marvel Super Heroes Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.

- In February, CryptoLogic earned Gambling Online Magazine's Top Casino Software Award for the third consecutive year. Because the award is based on the votes of players from all over the world, it is widely considered one of the industry's highest honours.

Customer extension and expansion

- CryptoLogic extended and expanded its relationship with World Poker Tour (WPT), one of the world's top gaming brands. Under the arrangement, WPT will expand its Internet casino offering, add Spanish and German language Internet poker rooms and extend its exclusive use of CryptoLogic software until at least mid-2011.

- The company achieved significant growth from one of its key 2007 investments: the purchase of the popular gaming portal, casino.co.uk.

- CryptoLogic announced new licensee arrangements with 888.com, 0Poker.com and Maharajah Club in May 2008.

New investments in Asia

- CryptoLogic continued its advance into the Asian market by making a strategic investment in Mahjong Time, an innovative provider of online Mahjong software and turnkey solutions. Mahjong has a global following of more than 600 million players, creating an attractive opportunity for online gaming growth.

- During the quarter, CryptoLogic acquired a substantial minority interest in South Korea's Mobilebus Inc., one of Asia's fastest-growing mobile and PC game developers and publishers.

Financial Performance

Total revenue: CryptoLogic posted revenue of $19.3 million for the first quarter, a decrease of 5.1% as compared with the fourth quarter of 2007. After normalizing for unique items, revenue increased modestly quarter over quarter and by 21% when compared with the same period of the prior year.

Earnings and Earnings per Diluted Share: The company achieved net earnings before minority interest of $0.8 million ($0.06 per fully diluted share), lower than both the same period a year ago and in the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease in net earnings before minority interest when compared to the fourth quarter of 2007 is primarily due to $1.8 million in one-time costs related to senior management change and the timing of the R&D tax credit recorded in Q4 2007 as we expect to recognize a similar credit later this year. The decrease when compared to the same period of the prior year is primarily due to the $4.5 million one time benefit recorded in the first quarter of 2007 due to a change in the estimate of the future amount to be paid out in casino jackpots.

During the first quarter of 2008, the company recorded a charge for minority interest of $162,000. Minority interest represents the earnings that accrue to the shareholders of CryptoLogic Exchange Corporation (TSX: CXY). CXY was established during the reorganization announced in the second quarter of 2007 to benefit taxable Canadian residents. The CXY shares are, as nearly as practicable, the economic equivalent of CryptoLogic Limited shares. Earnings per share, as prescribed by GAAP, are calculated such that it is equal for both groups of shareholders.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow: CryptoLogic continues to have a strong balance sheet, which have enabled investments in new games and new partnerships to continue in 2008. CryptoLogic ended the quarter with $81.0 million in net cash (comprising cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and security deposits), or $5.81 per diluted share. This is an increase of $3.5 million from the fourth quarter of 2007. The company continues to be debt-free.

CryptoLogic's working capital at March 31, 2008 was $68.3 million or $4.90 per diluted share (December 31, 2007: $68.2 million or $4.90 per diluted share).

Outlook

After reorganizing its business and returning to profitability in 2007 following the U.S. prohibition on most forms of Internet gaming, CryptoLogic management believes the company is on track for significant expansion in 2008 and 2009. The company's strength in software development and its stable and growing customer base position CryptoLogic for continued growth in Europe.