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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2013

Registration No. 333-191844

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO

FORM F-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

500.COM LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

Cayman Islands   7990   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

500.com Building

Shenxianling Sports Center

Longgang District

Shenzhen, 518115

People’s Republic of China

(86 755) 8633 0000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc.

400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, New York 10017

(212) 750-6474

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Chris K.H. Lin, Esq.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
35th Floor, ICBC Tower
3 Garden Road, Central
Hong Kong
(852) 2514-7600
 

Shuang Zhao, Esq.

Shearman & Sterling LLP

c/o 12th Floor Gloucester Tower, The Landmark

15 Queen’s Road Central, Central

Hong Kong

(852) 2978-8000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.   ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of securities

to be registered

 

Amount of shares

to be registered (1)(2)

 

Proposed maximum
offering price

per share (2)

 

Proposed maximum

aggregate offering

price (1)(2)

 

Amount of

registration fee

Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share (3)

  66,539,000   US$1.30   US$86,500,700   US$11,142 (4)

 

 

 

(1) Includes (a) 8,679,000 Class A ordinary shares represented by American depositary shares that may be purchased by the underwriters pursuant to their option to purchase additional American depositary shares to cover over-allotments, and (b) Class A ordinary shares initially offered and sold outside the United States that may be resold from time to time in the United States either as part of their distribution or within 40 days after the later of the effective date of this registration statement and the date the shares are first bona fide offered to the public. These Class A ordinary shares are not being registered for the purpose of sales outside the United States.

 

(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(3) American depositary shares issuable upon deposit of the Class A ordinary shares registered hereby will be registered under a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-192259). Each American depositary share represents 10 Class A ordinary shares.

 

(4) Previously paid.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, Dated November 20, 2013.

 

LOGO

500.com Limited

5,786,000 American Depositary Shares

Representing 57,860,000 Class A Ordinary Shares

 

 

This is the initial public offering of 500.com Limited. We are offering 5,786,000 American depositary shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents 10 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share of 500.com Limited.

Our ordinary shares will be divided into Class A and Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share will be entitled to one vote per share, and each Class B ordinary share will be entitled to 10 votes per share and will be convertible at any time into one Class A ordinary share. Class A ordinary shares will not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances. Ordinary shares held by our existing shareholders prior to this offering will be redesignated as our Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. Assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs, upon completion of this offering, holders of our Class B ordinary shares will hold 264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares, or 82.1% of the combined total of our outstanding Class A and Class B ordinary shares (representing 97.9% of the total voting rights) in our company, assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Our dual-class share structure involves certain risks. See the relevant risk factors in this prospectus for a detailed discussion of such risks.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the ADSs or our ordinary shares. It is currently estimated that the public offering price per ADS will be between US$11.00 and US$13.00. We have applied for listing of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “WBAI.”

We are an “emerging growth company” under the applicable U.S. federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.

See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 14 to read about factors you should consider before buying the ADSs.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

     Per ADS      Total  

Public offering price

   US$                    US$                

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   US$         US$     

Proceeds, before expenses, to 500.com Limited

   US$         US$     

The underwriters will receive compensation in addition to the underwriting discount. See “Underwriting.”

The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 867,900 ADSs from us at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the ADSs against payment in U.S. dollars on or about                     , 2013.

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

 

 

Piper Jaffray

   Oppenheimer & Co.

Prospectus dated                     , 2013.


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TABLE OF CONTENT

 

     Page  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     14   

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     46   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     47   

DIVIDEND POLICY

     48   

CAPITALIZATION

     49   

DILUTION

     50   

EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

     52   

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

     53   

OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE

     55   

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

     60   

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

     64   

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

     91   

OUR BUSINESS

     98   

REGULATIONS

     112   

MANAGEMENT

     122   

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     131   

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     135   

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

     137   

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

     147   

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     156   

TAXATION

     158   

UNDERWRITING

     166   

EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

     175   

LEGAL MATTERS

     176   

EXPERTS

     177   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     178   

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the ADSs offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is current only as of its date.

Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ADSs and the distribution of this prospectus or any filed free writing prospectus outside of the United States.

Through and including                     , 2013 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our ADSs. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including “Risk Factors” and the financial statements, before making an investment decision. This summary and other sections of this prospectus contain information from a report, referred to in this prospectus as the iResearch Report, which we commissioned from iResearch Consulting Group, or iResearch, a third-party market research firm, to provide information on the industry in which we operate, including our market position in that industry.

Overview

We are a leading online sports lottery service provider in China with the largest market share in the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the second largest market share in 2012 in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products, according to the iResearch Report. We act as an aggregator and processor of lottery purchase orders from our registered user accounts and currently derive substantially all of our revenues from service fees paid to us by provincial sports lottery administration centers for the purchase orders of sports lottery products that we direct to such centers. We offer a comprehensive and integrated suite of online lottery services, information, user tools and virtual community venues to our users. We were among the first companies to provide online lottery services in China, and we are one of the two entities that are authorized by the Ministry of Finance, or the MOF, to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center, the government authority in charge of the issuance and sale of sports lottery products in China. To the best of our knowledge, the other approved entity has not commenced the provision of online lottery sales services as of the date of this prospectus. Through continued and significant investments in the past 12 years, we have built a prominent brand, 500wan, which means “five million” in Chinese and is the typical amount of top prizes of most lottery products in China. We believe our brand is known in the industry and by our users for its credibility and reliability.

Historically, we provided online sales services for, and generated service fees from, both sports and welfare lottery products. From March to November 2012, we voluntarily suspended our online lottery sales services to substantially all of our customers, or the voluntary suspension, in response to a newly promulgated regulation which mandates, among other things, that online lottery sales services can only be provided by entities approved by the MOF. During this period, we continued to provide lottery sales services via our mobile applications to mobile users and via our online platform to a limited number of loyal customers as a means of customer maintenance. Approximately 78.5% of our service fees during the voluntary suspension period were generated from our mobile applications. We resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012 after we obtained the relevant approval for such lottery products from the MOF. Simultaneously, we ceased to provide sales services for welfare lottery products.

Historically, we have one of the largest and fastest-growing user bases among online lottery service providers in China. We had 8.8 million, 13.8 million, 16.6 million and 18.4 million registered user accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The activity level of our users was adversely affected by the voluntary suspension. We had 1.4 million, 1.9 million, 0.9 million and 0.8 million active accounts, meaning registered accounts which made at least one lottery purchase during the relevant period, in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The purchase amount of our users was RMB1.8 billion, RMB2.5 billion, RMB1.7 billion (US$272.7 million) and RMB2.0 billion (US$322.8 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Since we resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products on November 12, 2012, our user activity level has been recovering steadily. Our number of active accounts was approximately 282,000, 297,000, 389,000 and 374,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 6.0%, 5.3% and 31.0% increase and a 3.9% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters. In comparison, we had approximately 635,000, 309,000 and 266,000 active accounts in the

 

 

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three months ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2012, respectively, representing a 13.6%, 51.3% and 13.9% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters. The purchase amount per active account was RMB1,169, RMB1,818, RMB1,799 and RMB1,967 in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 25.8% increase, a 55.5% increase, a 1.0% decrease and a 9.3% increase from those in the respective preceding quarters. In comparison, the purchase amount per active account was RMB1,143, RMB1,200 and RMB929 in the three months ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively, representing a 4.2% increase, a 5.1% increase and a 22.6% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters.

Our net revenues were RMB157.4 million, RMB232.3 million and RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 47.6% increase from 2010 to 2011 and a 26.2% decrease from 2011 to 2012, respectively. The majority of our service fees were generated from sports lottery products, which accounted for 76.9%, 78.7% and 86.0% of our total service fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The increases in percentages of revenue contribution from sports lottery products were results of our efforts to promote the sales of such products during the periods. Our net income was RMB38.3 million, RMB13.6 million and RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 64.5% decrease from 2010 to 2011 and a 68.7% decrease from 2011 to 2012. Our net income in 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by share-based compensation expenses of RMB50.2 million and RMB13.7 million (US$2.2 million), respectively. In addition, our net income in 2010, 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by deferred tax expenses relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities of RMB35.6 million, RMB21.5 million and RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million), respectively. Our service fees increased by 49.3% from RMB142.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB212.2 million (US$34.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. All of our service fees in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were generated from sports lottery products. Our net revenues increased by 25.0% from RMB130.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB163.4 million (US$26.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Our net income increased by 96.2% from RMB10.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB20.6 million (US$3.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Industry Background

The Chinese lottery market has experienced strong growth in recent years as a result of positive macro trends in China, such as robust economic growth, increases in disposable income and a more positive shift in public perception towards the lottery business. Total lottery sales in China amounted to RMB166.3 billion, RMB221.6 billion and RMB261.5 billion (US$42.7 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 33.3% and 18.0% increase in 2011 and 2012 from their respective preceding years, according to a report by the MOF. According to the iResearch Report, approximately 41.8%, 42.3% and 42.3% of the total sales of lottery products in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012 were attributable to sales of sports lottery products, respectively, and approximately 3.3%, 5.0% and 5.6% of total sales of lottery products in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in China were attributable to online lottery sales. According to the iResearch Report, although no accurate projection of the future growth of the Chinese lottery market can be guaranteed, the Chinese lottery market is expected to continue to grow in the near future due to the increasingly more transparent regulatory environment for the development of the lottery market in China and the continued growth of China’s GDP and individual disposable income. Total lottery sales in China is projected to be RMB308.0 billion, RMB374.3 billion and RMB450.3 billion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, representing a 17.8%, 21.5% and 20.3% increase in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from their respective preceding years, according to the iResearch Report. According to the iResearch Report, online sales amount for sports lottery products was approximately RMB2.3 billion, RMB4.7 billion and RMB6.2 billion (US$1.0 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 102.6% and 33.4% increase in 2011 and 2012 from the respective preceding years. The iResearch Report projected online sales amount for sports lottery products to be RMB9.1 billion, RMB13.4 billion and RMB19.4 billion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, representing 46.0%, 47.6% and 44.9% increase from the respective preceding years.

 

 

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We believe that by leveraging our first mover advantage, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing online lottery market. We believe the growth of the online lottery market in China will be driven by:

 

   

growth of China’s gross domestic product, or GDP, and the increase of individual disposable income

 

   

government encouragement and more transparent regulatory environment

 

   

increasing public acceptance of the lottery industry

 

   

growth in the number of lottery purchasers

 

   

increasing Internet penetration in lottery distribution

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following competitive strengths have helped to make us a leading online lottery service provider in China:

 

   

a leading online lottery service platform in China with established and trusted brand

 

   

comprehensive and innovative services that enhance user experience

 

   

large and active user base

 

   

among the online lottery sales service providers that currently operate in China, the only MOF-approved online lottery sales service provider with an operational track record and expertise

 

   

experienced and dedicated management team

Our Strategies

Our goal is to maintain and enhance our position as a leading online lottery service provider in China and to accelerate growth by building an integrated online service platform. To achieve our goal, we intend to leverage our competitive strengths and pursue the following strategies:

 

   

strengthen our brand name by concerted sales and marketing efforts

 

   

further enhance our specialized and sophisticated lottery purchase services

 

   

focus on the development of mobile services

 

   

enhance infrastructure and security system to ensure reliability and better user satisfaction

 

   

pursue strategic partnerships and acquisitions

Our Challenges

We face risks and uncertainties related to our business and industry, including those relating to our ability to:

 

   

maintain our brand recognition and retain and expand our user base

 

   

maintain cooperation and strategic partnerships with provincial lottery administration centers

 

   

maintain and strengthen our position as a leading company in a competitive market

In addition, we also face risks and uncertainties relating to:

 

   

rules and regulations on online lottery sales service market in China which are relatively new and subject to interpretation, and their implementation involves uncertainties

 

   

suspension of our operation of online sales of sports lottery products if the operation of online sports lottery sales services by China Sports Lottery Administration Center fails to obtain further approval from the MOF

 

 

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We also face other risks and uncertainties that may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. You should consider the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus before investing in our ADSs.

Our Corporate Structure

We began operations in the online lottery service industry in 2001 through one of our consolidated affiliated entities, Shenzhen E-Sun Network Co., Ltd., or E-Sun Network, in Shenzhen, China. In May 2006, E-Sun Network established its wholly owned subsidiary, Shenzhen E-Sun Sky Network Technology Co., Ltd., or E-Sun Sky Network, which became our major operating entity for our online lottery service business. To enable us to raise equity capital from investors outside of China, we set up a holding company structure by establishing our current Cayman Islands holding company, 500.com Limited, on April 20, 2007 under the name Fine Success Limited, which was changed to 500wan.com on May 9, 2011 and further changed to our current name on October 9, 2013. In June 2007, we established our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., or E-Sun Sky Computer. We established two PRC consolidated affiliated entities in December 2008, Shenzhen Youlanguang Technology Co., Ltd., or Youlanguang Technology, and Shenzhen Guangtiandi Technology Co., Ltd., or Guangtiandi Technology. For more information on our corporate structure, including a detailed discussion of the consolidation of E-Sun Network and its wholly owned subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Network, Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology, see “Our History and Corporate Structure.” In February and March 2011, we established Fine Brand Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, and 500wan HK Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, as our wholly owned subsidiaries, respectively, and we transferred all the equity interests held by 500.com Limited in E-Sun Sky Computer to 500wan HK Limited in May 2011.

 

 

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The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus.

 

LOGO

 

(1) E-Sun Network is approximately 18.8% owned by Jiepin Fu, our director and beneficial owner, approximately 23.8% owned by Ping Yuan, our beneficial owner and wife of our founder, chairman and CEO, Man San Law, approximately 14.3% owned by He Li, brother of our director, Qi Li, 11.0% owned by Xue Li, sister of our director, Qi Li, approximately 14.9% owned by Ying Zou, our employee and beneficial owner, approximately 17.1% owned by Bo Zou, our beneficial owner and employee. All of these shareholders are parties to the contractual arrangements. Our online lottery services were primarily provided through E-Sun Sky Network, the wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network.

 

(2) Youlanguang Technology is 50% owned by Jin Li and 50% owned by Jing Zhang, both of whom are our employees and parties to the contractual arrangements. Youlanguang Technology provides services relating to the management of our users’ registration information and accounts to E-Sun Sky Network.

 

(3) Guangtiandi Technology is 50% owned by Ying Wang and 50% owned by Liangdong Yuan, both of whom are our employees and parties to the contractual arrangements. Guangtiandi Technology provides services relating to the implementation of the technical interface with the provincial lottery administration centers and the printing of the lottery tickets to E-Sun Sky Network.

Our Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 500.com Building, Shenxianling Sports Center, Longgang District, Shenzhen, 518115, People’s Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is +(86) 755 86330000 and our fax number is +(86) 755 83796070. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is at 4th Floor, Willow House, P.O. Box 2804, Grand Cayman, KYI-1112, Cayman Islands. Our websites are www.500.com and www.500wan.com. The information contained on our websites does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

Investor inquiries should be directed to us at the address and telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth above. Our agent for service of process in the U.S. is Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc.

 

 

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Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than US$1.0 billion in revenue for our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting. The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (a) the last day of our fiscal year during which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.0 billion; (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of completion of this offering; (c) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our ADSs that are held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Once we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will not be entitled to the exemptions provided in the JOBS Act discussed above.

Conventions Which Apply to this Prospectus

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires,

 

   

“we,” “us,” “our company,” and “our,” refer to 500.com Limited, its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities;

 

   

“consolidated affiliated entities” refer to our variable interest entities, namely, E-Sun Network, Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology, and where required by the context, E-Sun Sky Network, the wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network.

 

   

“ordinary shares” refers to, prior to completion of this offering, our ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, and, after completion of this offering, our Class A and Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share;

 

   

“ADSs” refers to American depositary shares, each of which represents 10 Class A ordinary shares;

 

   

“China” or the “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China excluding, for the purpose of this prospectus only, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan;

 

   

“Renminbi” or “RMB” refers to the legal currency of China; and

 

   

“$”, “US$”, “dollars” or “U.S. dollars” refers to the legal currency of the United States.

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus (i) assumes no exercises by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional ADSs, (ii) excludes ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options with respect to our ordinary shares under our 2011 share incentive plan and (iii) excludes ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under our 2011 share incentive plan. In addition, unless otherwise noted or required by the context, all ordinary share and per share information is adjusted to reflect the 1:20 share-split effected on April 26, 2011.

Our reporting currency is the RMB. Unless otherwise stated, all translations of the RMB into U.S. dollars were made at RMB6.1200 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on September 30, 2013, as set forth in the

 

 

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H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. We make no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Recent Developments

Short-term loan

In October 2013, we entered into a US dollar denominated short-term loan agreement for a principal amount of RMB53.6 million (US$8.8 million) with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Paris Branch for general corporate purposes. The short-term loan is secured by HK dollar denominated bank deposits equivalent to RMB57.7 million (US$9.4 million) placed with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Shenzhen Branch in the PRC. The short-term loan bears interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.0% and is due within six months. The loan proceeds were used to pay the outstanding dividend amounts in full to certain of our shareholders.

Convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia

On October 21, 2013, pursuant to a convertible note purchase agreement, we issued a convertible note in an aggregate principal amount of US$20 million to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd., or Sequoia. The convertible note will be due on June 30, 2014 and bears interest at 10% per annum, or 13% per annum upon an event of default, in both cases uncompounded and computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed. The convertible note will be automatically converted into our Class B ordinary shares immediately upon completion of this offering. The conversion price per Class B ordinary share will be equal to 80% of the public offering price of our ADSs, adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio. Assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the convertible note would be automatically converted into 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. In the event of automatic conversion triggered by this offering, the convertible note will be deemed interest free between the date of issuance and the date of conversion.

Assuming that this offering occurs before December 31, 2013, in connection with the issuance and automatic conversion of the convertible note, we will recognize the interest expense of the convertible note and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative relating to the convertible note in the aggregate amount of US$5 million through the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the year and quarter ending December 31, 2013.

Concurrent private placement to Sequoia

Concurrently with, and subject to, completion of this offering, Sequoia has agreed to purchase from us our Class B ordinary shares, at a price equal to the public offering price of our ADSs in this offering, adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, for a total purchase price of US$15 million in a concurrent private placement. Assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, Sequoia will purchase 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares in the concurrent private placement.

Option issuances to executive officers and employees

We issued options to purchase 2,660,000 ordinary shares to several executive directors and employees on October 22, 2013. The exercise price of each option is US$0.40 per share. Of these options, options to purchase 600,000 and 1.4 million ordinary shares will vest in six months and one year from the date of the issuance of the options, respectively; options to purchase 660,000 ordinary shares will vest in three annual equal installments.

We expect to recognize share-based compensation expenses in the amount of US$1.7 million based on the fair value of our company as of October 22, 2013 as determined with the assistance of our independent valuation firm. These expenses will be amortized according to these vesting schedules of these options commencing on the date of the issuance.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Price per ADS

We estimate that the public offering price will be between US$11.00 and US$13.00 per ADS.

 

ADSs offered by us

5,786,000 ADSs

 

ADSs outstanding immediately after this offering

5,786,000 ADSs (or 6,653,900 ADSs if the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option).

 

Ordinary shares outstanding immediately prior to completion of this offering

231,428,220 ordinary shares.

 

Ordinary shares upon completion of this offering

Our ordinary shares will be divided into Class A and Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. Each Class A ordinary share will be entitled to one vote on all matters subject to shareholders’ vote, and each Class B ordinary share will be entitled to ten votes on all matters subject to shareholders’ vote. Each Class B ordinary share will be convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares will not be convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstance.

 

Class A ordinary shares outstanding immediately after completion of this offering

57,860,000 Class A ordinary shares (or 66,539,000 Class A ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise in full the over-allotment option).

 

Class B ordinary shares outstanding immediately after completion of this offering

264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares, which include (i) 231,428,220 Class B ordinary shares redesignated from our ordinary shares outstanding immediately prior to completion of this offering, (ii) 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares to be issued upon automatic conversion of the convertible note and (iii) 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to be issued in the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, in each case assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

 

Over-allotment option

We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 867,900 additional ADSs at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

Reserved ADSs

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the public offering price, up to an aggregate of 10% of the ADSs offered in this offering to some of our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons through a directed share program.

 

 

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Sequoia concurrent private placement

Concurrently with, and subject to, completion of this offering, Sequoia has agreed to purchase from us our Class B ordinary shares, at a price per share equal to the public offering price of our ADSs in this offering, adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, for a total purchase price of US$15 million. Assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, Sequoia would purchase 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares. This private placement is being made pursuant to an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act. See “Underwriting.” Class B ordinary shares to be issued and sold to Sequoia in this concurrent private placement will be subject to a 180-day lock-up arrangement commencing on the date of this prospectus.

 

The ADSs

Each ADS represents 10 Class A ordinary shares. The ADSs will be evidenced by American depositary receipts, or ADRs.

 

  The depositary will be the holder of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs and you will have the rights of an ADR holder as provided in the deposit agreement dated             , 2013 among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time.

 

  You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary in exchange for the Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs. The depositary will charge you a fee for such an exchange.

 

  We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement for any reason without your consent. Any amendment that imposes or increases fees or charges or which materially prejudices any substantial existing right you have as an ADS holder will not become effective as to outstanding ADSs until 30 days after notice of the amendment is given to ADS holders. If an amendment becomes effective, you will be bound by the deposit agreement as amended if you continue to hold your ADSs.

 

  To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the section in this prospectus entitled “Description of American Depositary Shares.” You should also read the deposit agreement, which is an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$75.8 million from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We anticipate using the net proceeds of this offering for continuing investment in our marketing initiatives,

 

 

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including advertising our research and development, and our technology platform. We expect to use any remaining amounts for general corporate purposes, including working capital needs, incremental costs associated with being a public company and potential acquisitions. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information.

 

Risk factors

See “Risk Factors” and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of the risks relating to investing in our ADSs. You should carefully consider these risks before deciding to invest in our ADSs.

 

Listing

We have applied to list our ADSs on the NYSE. Our ordinary shares will not be listed on any exchange or quoted for trading on any over-the-counter trading system.

 

NYSE symbol

WBAI

 

Depositary

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

 

Lock-up

We, our directors, executive officers, our existing shareholders and option holders, Sequoia and holders of exchangeable notes which are exchangeable into our ordinary shares have agreed with the underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ADSs, ordinary shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting.”

 

 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

The following summary consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” both of which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our results to be expected for any future period.

 

    Year ended December 31,     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
    2010     2011     2012     2012     2013     2013  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  
    (in thousands, except for per share data)   

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Data:

             

Net Revenues

    157,378        232,332        171,527        28,027        130,736        163,411        26,701   

Operating expenses:

             

Cost of services

    (22,052     (24,425     (18,476     (3,019     (13,922     (19,564     (3,197

Sales and marketing

    (14,252     (52,471     (45,794     (7,483     (36,322     (61,201     (10,000

General and administrative

    (34,255     (101,996     (57,784     (9,442     (39,899     (46,517     (7,601

Service development expenses

    (9,299     (19,566     (26,571     (4,342     (17,673     (18,924     (3,092

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

                  (6,404     (1,046     (6,404              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (79,858     (198,458     (155,029     (25,332     (114,220     (146,206     (23,890

Other operating income

    4,667        6,455        4,193        685        4,139        11,371        1,858   

Government grant

           1,778        2,242        366        2,203        139        23   

Other operating expenses

    (537     (296     (1,821     (298     (1,582     (2,647     (433
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    81,650        41,811        21,112        3,448        21,276        26,068        4,259   

Interest income

    102        243        1,132        185        813        251        41   

Interest expense

                                       (430     (70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

    81,752        42,054        22,244        3,633        22,089        25,889        4,230   

Income tax expenses

    (43,463     (28,497     (18,001     (2,940     (11,631     (5,291     (865
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    38,289        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive income (loss):

             

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

    70        (224     58        9        6        1,296        212   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

    38,359        13,333        4,301        702        10,464        21,894        3,577   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to net income attributable to ordinary shareholders:

             

Net income

    38,289        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   

Accretion of Series A contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

    (190                                          

Repurchase of Series B and B-1 contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

    24,392                                             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

    62,491        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

             

Basic

    0.27        0.06        0.02               0.05        0.09        0.01   

Diluted

    0.16        0.06        0.02               0.04        0.08        0.01   

Dividend declared per ordinary share

    0.69               0.39        0.06                        

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share (1)

             

Basic

        (0.10     (0.02       0.08        0.01   

Diluted

        (0.10     (0.02       0.07        0.01   

Non-GAAP financial data (2)

             

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (3)

    73,852        85,193        29,866        4,880        27,928        29,508        4,821   

 

(1)

The pro forma earnings (loss) per share for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is computed assuming the following transactions were consummated on January 1, 2012, (i) the issuance of 11,677,151 Class A ordinary shares at the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share to pay for RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, (ii) the issuance of 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares from the automatic conversion of the US$20 million convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia on October 20, 2013 upon completion of this offering, based on the assumed conversion price of US$0.96 per ordinary share, equaling to 80% of the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share, (iii) the recognition of the interest expense of the convertible note and the change in fair value of the embedded derivative relating to the convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia in

 

 

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  the aggregate amount of US$5 million in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, and (iv) the issuance and sale of 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in a concurrent private placement at the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share, and is calculated as follows:

 

     For the year ended     For the nine months ended  
     December 31,
2012
    December 31,
2012
    September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB     US$     RMB      US$  
     (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)  

Numerator:

         

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings (loss) per share—basic and diluted

     4,243        693        20,598         3,365   

Pro-forma effect of:

         

Interest expense and change in fair value of the embedded derivative

     (30,600     (5,000               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings (loss) per share—basic and diluted

     (26,357     (4,307     20,598         3,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

         

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per share

     229,374,777        229,374,777        228,768,220         228,768,220   

Pro forma effect of:

         

Issuance of 11,677,151 ordinary shares to pay for RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012

     11,677,151        11,677,151        11,677,151         11,677,151   

Issuance of 20,833,333 ordinary shares from the automatic conversion of the convertible note

     20,833,333        20,833,333        20,833,333         20,833,333   

Issuance of 12,500,000 ordinary shares in a concurrent private placement

     12,500,000        12,500,000        12,500,000         12,500,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per share

     274,385,261        274,385,261        273,778,704         273,778,704   

Share options

             17,536,696         17,536,696   

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share

     274,385,261        274,385,261        291,315,400         291,315,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma earnings (loss) per share:

         

Basic

     (0.10     (0.02     0.08         0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     (0.10     (0.02     0.07         0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * The dilutive effects of employee share options granted were excluded from the computation of 2012 diluted loss per share because their effects would have been anti-dilutive.

 

(2) As a supplement to net income, we use the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income which is U.S. GAAP net income as adjusted to exclude share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities. This non-GAAP financial measure is provided as additional information to help our investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and prospects for the future. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in addition to or as a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP net income. In addition, our definition of adjusted net income may be different from the definition of such term used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

 

 

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(3) We present adjusted net income (non-GAAP) excluding share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences from our consolidated affiliated entities. The following table reconciles our adjusted net income (non-GAAP) in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 to the net income calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

     Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended September 30,
 
     2010      2011      2012      2012      2013  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      US$     

RMB

    

RMB

    

US$

 
    

(in thousands)

 

Net income

     38,289         13,557         4,243         693         10,458         20,598         3,365   

Adjustment for share-based compensation

             50,154         13,704         2,239         11,000         3,021         494   

Adjustment for deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences

     35,563         21,482         11,919         1,948         6,470         5,889         962   

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)

     73,852         85,193         29,866         4,880         27,928         29,508         4,821   

 

     As of December 31,      As of
September 30,
 
     2011      2012      2013  
     RMB      RMB      US$     

RMB

    

US$

 
    

(in thousands)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

              

Total current assets

     308,523         329,821         53,893         417,225         68,174   

Total assets

     337,258         379,343         61,984         465,063         75,990   

Total current liabilities

     182,437         282,016         46,081         338,163         55,255   

Total liabilities

     262,909         381,963         62,412         442,768         72,348   

Total long-term debt

                                       

Contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

                                       

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     74,349         (2,620      (428      22,295         3,642   

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     337,258         379,343         61,984         465,063         75,990   

The following tables set forth our user information and their purchase amounts during the indicated periods:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
         2010         2011          2012          2013  
     (in thousands)  

Active Accounts (1) :

             

Newly Registered Accounts (2)

    
   968
  
    1,287         430         489   

Existing Accounts (3)

    
   418
  
       606         518         295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    
1,386
  
    1,893         948         784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
         2010         2011          2012          2013  
     RMB     RMB     

RMB

     US$     

RMB

    

US$

 
     (in thousands)  

Purchase Amount:

                

Newly Registered Accounts (2)

     830,857        1,026,761         374,005         60,939         619,303         101,193   

Existing Accounts (3)

     964,662        1,489,472         1,299,493         211,733         1,356,182         221,598   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,795,519        2,516,233         1,673,498         272,672         1,975,485         322,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Defined as registered accounts which made at least one purchase during the year or the period.
(2) Defined as accounts registered during the year or the period.
(3) Defined as accounts registered prior to the year or the period.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this prospectus before purchasing our ADSs. If any of the following risks occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our ADSs could decline, and you may lose some or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

The success of our business depends on our ability to maintain and enhance our reputation and brand.

We believe that our reputation in the industry and among our users as a leading reliable and trustworthy online lottery service provider and our “500wan” brand is of significant importance to the success of our business. A well-recognized brand is critical to increasing our user base and, in turn, increasing our net revenues from service fees. Since the online lottery service market is highly competitive, our ability to remain the market leader in China depends largely on maintaining and enhancing our reputation and brand, which may be difficult and expensive.

We have developed our reputation and established a leading position by providing our users with what we believe are superior and trustworthy services. We have conducted, and may continue to conduct, various marketing and brand promotion activities. We cannot assure you, however, that these activities will be successful and achieve the brand promotion and activity enhancement goals we expected. In addition, any negative publicity in relation to our services or products, regardless of its veracity, could harm our brand image and, in turn, have adverse effects on our user loyalty and stickiness, or result in a reduction in the number of our users. For example, we are aware of certain complaints against our websites on a number of online forums with regard to purchase order processing and prize collections. From 2010 through September 30, 2013, we received 86 complaints with regard to order processing and prize collection, and paid a total amount of RMB32,125 to resolve such complaints. Among the 86 complaints, nine involved compensation amounts over RMB1,000, and the highest amount was RMB4,200. Even though the allegations made in such complaints were not factually proven or the amounts in issue were diminutive, such complaints can nonetheless have a detrimental effect on our reputation. If we fail to maintain and enhance our reputation and brand, or if we incur excessive expenses in our efforts to do so, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

The rules and regulations on online lottery sales service market in China are relatively new and subject to interpretation, and their implementation involves uncertainty.

On September 26, 2010, the MOF issued the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Sales of Lottery, or the Interim Measures, which allows qualified service providers to provide online lottery sales services after obtaining the approval by and the operating permit from the MOF. On January 18, 2012, the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports of China jointly promulgated the Implementing Rules of Regulation on Administration of Lottery, or the Implementing Rules, which set forth, among other things, detailed requirements and qualifications for the approvals to conduct online lottery sales. For a description of relevant PRC laws and regulations on online lottery services, see “Regulations—Regulation on Lottery Services Industry and Online Lottery Sales.” Applications were submitted to the MOF in connection with the qualifications and approvals of our online lottery sales services for both sports and welfare lottery products provided on our websites, in accordance with the new measures. In October 2012, we were notified by China Sports Lottery Administration Center that we were one of the two entities that had been approved by the MOF to conduct online sales of sports lottery products in China on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center. However, since the operation of online sports lottery sales services by China Sports Lottery Administration Center itself is in a pilot phase and is subject to further approval by the MOF, our operation of online sales of sports lottery products may be subject to suspension if China Sports Lottery Administration Center fails to obtain

 

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such further approval from the MOF. We are currently awaiting approval from the MOF to provide sales services for welfare lottery products. As the relevant rules and regulations are relatively new and we are one of the first two entities that have ever been approved by the MOF to conduct online sales of sports lottery products in China, we face uncertainties in the implementation of such rules and regulations by the competent authorities. The competent authorities may establish certain management systems to supervise and monitor the online lottery sales, which systems may comprise a sales monitoring system, a back-office management system and an application service platform. The competent authorities may also ask the approved entities, like us, to adopt certain measures to meet specific regulatory requirements that may be adopted from time to time. For example, the competent authorities may monitor or adjust the categories of lottery products being sold online, and supervise the sales procedures and key data of our online lottery sales on a real-time basis, such as those relating to our customer account opening procedures, capital management, database information and risk controls. In addition, we may be required to enter into new lottery agency agreements with the relevant lottery administration center that could have different terms and conditions from those in our existing service agreements with the relevant sports lottery administration centers. As a result, we may have to amend our existing service agreements. Any unfavorable new regulatory requirements or amendments to the key terms of our existing service agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We have 12 years of operating experience in providing online lottery sales services. From March to November 2012, we suspended our online lottery sales services to substantially all of our customers in response to the Urgent Notice with regard to the Implementation of the Implementing Rules of Regulation on Administration of Lottery promulgated by the General Administration of Sports of China on February 28, 2012, or the Urgent Notice. We continued to provide lottery sales services via our mobile applications to mobile users and via our online platform to a limited number of loyal customers and generated service fees from such services. The PRC regulations on lottery sales services via mobile applications and their interpretations are subject to uncertainty. Our PRC legal counsel has advised us, given that the MOF has approved us as an authorized entity to conduct online lottery sales on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center, our operation of lottery sales services prior to November 2012, including sales through our mobile applications and online platform, did not and will not likely to have a material adverse effect on us. However, under the rules and regulations on online lottery sales, the relevant PRC authorities have broad discretion on the lottery sales that are conducted without the approval by the MOF, and have the authority to impose sanctions thereon, including without limitation, levying fines, confiscating illegal income or suspending the operations and other sanctions. We have not received any legal sanctions, but there is no assurance that the competent authorities would not impose any legal sanction. Any legal sanctions imposed on us by the competent authorities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Our product portfolio depends on the offerings of the lottery administration centers and could change unfavorably for us as a result of decisions made by them.

The lottery products we service are issued and sold by national and provincial lottery administration centers. We do not have the right to issue lottery products and cannot prevent the discontinuation of lottery products currently being offered. If the national lottery administration centers decide to discontinue one or more lottery products or to replace them with other products, this could lead to a decline in our purchase orders and thus have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, if we want to provide services on newly issued lottery products, we have to enter into service agreements with the lottery administration centers that issue or sell such new lottery products. We cannot assure you that such service agreements can be entered into on terms favorable to us, or at all. If our competitors are able to enter into service agreements to service popular newly issued lottery products while we cannot, it could have an adverse effect on our revenue and brand name.

Lottery products offered by provincial lottery administration centers may be discontinued or subject to restriction and regulations by the relevant national lottery administration centers. Due to the popularity of certain lottery products we service, those provincial lottery administration centers with which we do not have service

 

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agreements might choose to issue similar lottery products on more competitive terms. This may result in a decrease in the purchase orders of those lottery products we service and, in turn, result in a decrease in the revenue we are able to generate from those lottery products. We cannot assure you that we will be able to reach an agreement with a provincial lottery administration center to obtain the right to service its lottery products that compete with products we currently service. In addition, the relevant lottery authorities could mandate the change of the rules or prize scheme of our current lottery products or stop the issuance of those lottery products altogether due to social policy or other considerations, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We depend on our agreements with a few provincial lottery administration centers for our service fees and such agreements could be terminated, amended or fail to be renewed.

Substantially all of our revenues were generated from service fees paid to us by a few provincial lottery administration centers. We have entered into non-exclusive service agreements with these lottery centers for terms of one year or five years, and the lottery administration centers may choose to enter into similar arrangements with other service providers. We have long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with a few provincial lottery administration centers, such as Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center. Service fees received from our single largest lottery administration center partner, all of which were generated from sports lottery products, accounted for 57.6%, 56.7%, 65% and 78.3% of our net revenues in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The service fees received from the lottery administration centers represent revenues recognized before the reduction of incentives paid to users and the residual amount of lottery pool contributed by us to the lottery centers. We have a service agreement with Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center that is effective until October 2017 and renewable upon expiration, but Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center can terminate its agreement with us for various reasons or decide not to renew the agreement upon expiration. For example, the service agreement provides that the Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center has the right to monitor our operations and unilaterally terminate the service agreement if we violate relevant laws and regulations. If any of the provincial sports lottery administration centers terminates or decides not to renew its agreement with us, or if the agreement is amended to our disfavor, this could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and prospects, and we could lose a substantial portion of our revenues.

We have a limited history of being profitable and our business model is subject to uncertainties, which makes it difficult to evaluate our business.

We launched our online lottery services in 2001 and became profitable in 2007. We have a limited history of being profitable from 2007 to 2012 and a relatively new business model in an emerging and rapidly evolving market. This makes it difficult for you to evaluate our business, financial performance and prospects, and our historical growth rate may not be indicative of our future performance. Although we achieved profitability in recent periods, we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve similar results or growth in the future. We may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. You should consider our prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties that fast-growing companies in a rapidly evolving market may encounter.

In particular, our net revenues in 2012 were RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million), a 26.2% decrease as compared to 2011, and we recorded net income of RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2012, as compared to RMB13.6 million in 2011 primarily due to the adverse impact of voluntary suspension. We cannot assure you that our users’ purchasing activities for sports lottery products will return to previous levels and continue to grow at a comparable pace as compared to that of the period prior to the voluntary suspension.

A significant portion of our service fees from 2010 to 2012 were generated from the sales of welfare lottery products for which we currently do not offer sales services.

Service fees generated from welfare lottery products were RMB38.2 million, RMB52.5 million and RMB25.9 million in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, accounting for 23.1%, 21.3% and 14.0% of our service

 

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fees generated from lottery products in the same periods, respectively. We ceased to offer sales services for welfare lottery products in November 2012. Consequently, we did not generate any service fees from welfare lottery products in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We plan to resume our online sales services for welfare lottery products after we obtain the relevant approval for such products from the MOF. Chongqing Welfare Lottery Administration Center notified us that it submitted an application for qualification and approval for the online lottery sales services for welfare lottery products to China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center on November 15, 2010, and such application would be further submitted by China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center to the MOF for approval. As of the date of this prospectus, Chongqing Welfare Lottery Administration Center had not updated us on the status of the application for welfare lottery products. Since the relevant regulations do not set forth a specific time limit for the MOF to issue such approval, we cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such approval in the near future, or at all.

We operate in an intensely competitive environment, which may lead to declining revenue growth or other circumstances that would negatively affect our results of operations.

We operate in the new and dynamically growing online market for lottery products. There is no guarantee that we can maintain our position as one of the market leaders. Going forward, we anticipate significant competition, primarily from other online lottery service providers that may obtain relevant approvals and licences to provide online lottery sales services in China. When the approval and licensing system for online lottery service providers is fully implemented in China in the future, we may face increased competition from companies that do not currently operate in the online lottery services industry. For example, if major portal websites obtain relevant approvals and licences to offer lottery sales services, they may be able to offer similar services at a lower cost or to a larger user group due to their larger operational scales and user bases, which will put us at a competitive disadvantage. We also face competition from traditional offline lottery agents. If we do not recognize market trends or user demand in a timely manner, we may lose our market share to our competitors, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations.

According to the iResearch Report, we were among the first group of online lottery service providers in China. Since our inception, we have been offering a number of innovative services on our websites, such as lottery pool purchase services and automatic tag-along purchase services. Lottery pool is the purchase mode most favored by our users. Due to the popularity of lottery pool purchase services, competing websites have started to offer similar services. Since there are no adequate measures to protect the exclusivity of online service innovations or business models, we cannot assure you that new or existing services offered by us will not be imitated by our competitors.

The lottery industry in China in general and the online lottery service industry in particular may not grow as quickly as expected, which may adversely affect our revenues and business prospects.

Our business and prospects depend on the continuing development and expansion of the lottery industry in China in general and the online lottery service industry in particular. Both China’s lottery industry and the online lottery service industry have experienced substantial growth in recent years in terms of both the number of people purchasing lottery products and revenue generated. We cannot assure you, however, that the lottery industry or the online lottery service industry in China will continue to grow as rapidly as it has in the past, or the current trend of a faster growth rate of the lottery market in comparison to the growth rates of China’s GDP and individual disposable income will continue in the future. Growth of China’s lottery industry and the online lottery services industry are affected by numerous factors, such as GDP growth, growth of individual disposable income, regulatory changes, public perception and receptiveness, users’ trust and confidence level in the online lottery market, users’ general online purchase experience, technological innovations, development of the Internet and Internet-based services, and the macroeconomic environment. If the lottery industry or online lottery service industry in China does not grow as quickly as expected or if we fail to benefit from such growth by failing to successfully implement our business strategies, our user base may decrease and our business and prospects may be adversely affected.

 

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We depend on the technology and advanced information system, which may fail or be subject to disruption.

We are dependent on our IT systems for handling purchase orders, and the efficiency and reliability of our systems are in turn dependent on the functionality and stability of the underlying technical infrastructure. The functionality of the servers used by us and the related hardware and software infrastructure are of considerable significance to our business, our reputation and our ability to attract business partners and users. Our IT systems may be damaged or interrupted by increases in usage, human errors, unauthorized access, destruction of hardware, power cuts not covered by backup facilities, system crashes, software problems, virus attacks, natural hazards or disasters, or similar disruptions or disruptive events. Furthermore, our current IT systems may be unable to support a significant increase in online traffic or increased number of users, whether as a result of organic or inorganic growth of the business. We have in place business continuity procedures, disaster recovery systems and security measures to protect against network or technical failures or disruptions. Despite such procedures, failures in computer processing and weakness in the existing software and hardware cannot be completely prevented or eliminated. Any failure of our IT system and infrastructure could lead to significant costs and disruptions that could reduce our revenues, harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our operations.

In addition, we rely on bandwidth providers, communications carriers, data centers and other third parties for key aspects of the process in providing services to our users. Any failure or interruption in the services and products provided by these third parties could limit our ability to operate certain of our businesses, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We may not be able to develop and launch new services or new technologies in a timely manner or at all, and new services or technologies we manage to develop or provide may not be successful.

Our success in attracting new users and keeping existing users engaged depends on our ability to consistently develop and launch new and innovative services and technologies. Although we will continue to focus on research and development going forward, we cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to develop our technology to keep up-to-date with developments across the online lottery service industry and to launch new products or technologies in a timely manner or at all. New technologies and software are also less likely to be reliable, robust and resistant to viruses or failure. Given the fast growing online lottery service industry, we may not have enough time to fully test the new technologies and software we have developed before deploying them on our websites, which might cause service problems and negative user experience.

In particular, the number of people who access the Internet through non-PC devices such as mobile phones has increased in recent years. The software we have developed for these devices may not be widely adopted by users of such non-PC devices. The lower resolution, functionality and memory capacity associated with non-PC devices make the use of our services through such devices difficult. If we are unable to attract and retain a substantial number of non-PC device users to our services or if we are slow to develop services and technologies that are more compatible with non-PC devices relative to our competitors, we may fail to capture a significant share of new users or lose our existing users who switch to non-PC devices for their lottery purchase activities.

We could be subject to foreign laws and regulations applicable to lottery services, which could have important legal consequences for us.

We currently only conduct our operations in China, and will continue to do so in the future. We have blocked direct access to our websites and mobile applications from the United States through IP address filtering. We have implemented an identity verification procedure as part of the prize collection process. A user who has won a prize is required to provide his or her valid PRC identification card number and valid PRC bank account number to us for identity and age verification through a government designated entity before we transfer the prize money to such user’s online account registered at our websites and mobile applications. Despite such measures taken by us, it is conceivable that a user with a valid Chinese bank account and a Chinese identification card could place an order or collect a prize at our websites or mobile applications from a jurisdiction other than

 

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China and the United States, or that a user could devise a way to evade our blocking measures and access our websites and mobile applications from the United States. In addition, we have not been able to implement the same identity verification process over users registered with websites of third-party online service providers, which conduct their own identity verification processes, and these users may place purchase orders with us and collect prize money they win without providing their identity to us. As a result, we could be subject to foreign laws and regulations applicable to lottery services, which could have important legal consequences for us. The fact that our websites and mobile applications are accessible from a foreign jurisdiction could render our business operations subject to the laws and regulations of such jurisdiction, even though we do not have a physical presence in that jurisdiction. As a result, we could be required to obtain the requisite approval or license for lottery services in such jurisdiction, or could be deemed to have violated the prohibition against lottery services in that jurisdiction.

If we were found to have violated any applicable foreign laws and regulations applicable to lottery services, we could face civil or even criminal liabilities, such as injunctions, restrictive orders, damage awards or fines. Even if we successfully defend ourselves against such allegations, we could nevertheless incur considerable costs in such defense or suffer reputational damage due to the negative publicity associated with such allegations.

Our systems and controls to restrict access to our websites from persons located in the United States may not be adequate.

In the United States, some credit card companies have classified online purchase orders of U.S. state-issued lottery products as online gambling and thus denied such purchase orders, despite the fact that many such purchases are exempt from the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, enacted in 2006. The UIGEA is silent on whether lottery products issued by non-U.S. state entities are exempt from the definition of online gambling. There are several other U.S. federal laws relevant to online gaming, including the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, the Federal Interstate Wire Act, the Illegal Gambling Business Act, the Interstate Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia Act and the Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering Enterprising Act. In addition, laws and regulations exist in various individual U.S. states that limit or prohibit online games of chance. Although the services we provide to our users are solely related to lottery products issued and sold by national and authorized provincial lottery administration centers in China, we cannot assure you that the United States Department of Justice or other federal or state regulatory authorities will not deem our business as being in violation of the UIGEA or any of the laws mentioned above if purchase orders are placed on our platform from users in the United States not successfully blocked by our system. Violations of such laws can lead to criminal and civil penalties, including substantial fines, injunctions, damage claims and jail terms for persons accountable.

As a precaution, we have implemented technological and other measures to prevent persons in the United States from accessing our websites and mobile applications. These measures could fail or otherwise be inadequate, either currently or as a result of future technological developments. This may result in allegations or accusations of our violations of the above-mentioned or other applicable laws or regulations of the United States, and actions brought against us based on such violations, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial performance and prospects.

Our service agreements with certain third-party Internet companies may be amended or terminated.

We generate a portion of our net revenues pursuant to cooperation agreements with certain third-party Internet companies. We build and maintain embedded lottery purchase webpages for websites of these Internet companies which redirect user purchase orders to our websites. We pay these third-party Internet companies a predetermined fixed percentage of the total purchase amount generated by purchase orders redirected to us from their websites. In 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, such payments to certain Internet companies accounted for 6.5%, 6.2%, 4.7% and 5.6% of our net revenues, respectively. We also provide lottery information packages to the lottery information channels of some portal websites. The third-party Internet companies that we work with may request amendments to the material terms of our cooperation agreements in a manner that is unfavorable to us or decide to terminate such cooperation agreements. In particular, if any of these

 

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companies decide to start offering its own online lottery services after terminating its cooperation arrangement with us, users formerly redirected to our websites through websites of these companies may decide to use these companies’ services instead, which would have a negative impact on our net revenues.

We are exposed to contractual claims by third parties arising from regulatory actions, which could damage our reputation and results of operations.

We have entered into various service, online payment and advertisement agreements with a number of third parties. Many of these agreements contain warranties, indemnities and termination provisions in which we have made representations and warranties to the counterparties as to the legitimacy of our operations and our compliance with relevant laws and regulations. If a claim or regulatory action is brought against our counterparties alleging that our historical business conduct breached such provisions on which our counterparties have relied, whether as a result of judicial proceedings or a change of law or otherwise, we may face material claims or regulatory actions and may owe damages to the relevant third parties. We may also remain liable for any outstanding fees payable to the counterparty of an agreement which has been terminated.

Any extended periods in the future without our users winning substantial prizes could result in losses in revenues and profits for us.

As of September 30, 2013, three prizes of over RMB10 million, 55 prizes of RMB5 million to RMB10 million, and 365 prizes of RMB1 million to RMB5 million had been awarded to users who purchased their lottery products using our online lottery service platform. Our users’ record of winnings is one of the factors contributing to our ability to attract new users and retain existing users. Winning of number-based lotteries arise purely by chance during the lottery draws. No assurance can be given that there will not be long periods in the future without any of our users winning a prize of significant amount, which could lead to a reduction in user activity and therefore a shortfall in our revenue and profit.

Our operations and services relating to sports lottery products depend on the scheduling and live broadcasting of major sports events.

Our operations and services relating to sports lotteries are affected by the scheduling and live broadcasting of the underlying sports events. In particular, a significant portion of our service fees are derived from results of international soccer games. Disruptions to the scheduling and broadcasting of those games may have a material impact on our results of operations. In some instances, the scheduling of major sports events occurs seasonally (for example, European soccer) or at regular but infrequent intervals (for example, the FIFA World Cup). The cancellation, postponement or curtailment of significant sports events, due to, among other things, adverse weather conditions, terrorist acts, other acts of war or hostility or the outbreak of infectious diseases, or cancellation of, disruption to, or postponement of the live broadcasting of such sports events, due to contractual disputes, technical or communication problems, or the insolvency of a major broadcaster, could materially adversely affect our operations and services relating to sports lotteries.

Future strategic acquisitions may have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.

Although we have no current acquisition plans, we may acquire additional assets, products, technologies or businesses that are complementary to our existing business if we are presented with appropriate opportunities. Future acquisitions and subsequent integration of newly acquired assets and businesses into our own would require significant attention from our management and could result in a diversion of resources from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business operations. Acquired assets or businesses may not generate the financial results we expect. In addition, acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the occurrence of significant goodwill impairment charges, amortization expenses for other intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Moreover, the cost of identifying and consummating acquisitions may be significant. In addition to possible shareholders’ approval, we may also have to obtain approvals and licenses

 

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from the relevant government authorities in the PRC for the acquisitions and to comply with any applicable PRC laws and regulations, which could result in increased cost and delay.

Negative publicity about our operations, or problems such as underage and compulsive lottery activities, fraud and corruption in sports matches may adversely affect our reputation and business.

Social responsibility policies are a key consideration in lottery laws and regulations. There are concerns as to the ability of online lottery service providers to effectively block minors from purchasing lottery products online and the possible increase in compulsive lottery activity due to the relative ease of making online lottery purchases. Publicity regarding such concerns could harm our brand and image. If the perception develops that online lottery operators or the lottery industry as a whole is failing to adequately protect minors and vulnerable lottery purchasers, we may face increased social resistance. Damage to the industry’s reputation could also lead to the withdrawal of support for the industry from the government or the tightening of regulations, which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Negative publicity about potential fraud (including money laundering) and corruption in sports matches (including collusion and match-fixing), even if not directly or indirectly connected with us or our services, may adversely impact our reputation and the willingness of the public to participate in the purchase of sports lotteries. As a result, the number of potential users available to us could be adversely affected.

Undetected errors with regard to historical or real-time data in our information platform could adversely affect our user experience, which may materially and adversely affect our reputation and business.

As of September 30, 2013, our information database provided to our users real-time updated information on all 13 national lottery products and 55 provincial lottery products, as well as historical data, charts analytical tools and account management tools and functions. Although we intend to ensure the accuracy and reliability of all data in our information database, in a number of instances, users have complained on online forums of being misled by the wrong historical data and users have also alleged that the winning numbers posted by us differ from the actual winning numbers published by the relevant national or provincial lottery administration centers. Such complaints and allegations, whether with or without merit, may damage our reputation as a credible online lottery service provider and adversely affect user experience, which could materially and adversely affect our reputation and business.

We may fail to detect fraudulent activities of our users or employees.

Online transactions may be subject to sophisticated schemes or collusion to defraud or other illegal activities, and there is a risk that our platform may be used for those purposes either by our users or our employees. While we make continuing efforts to protect our business and our users from such illegal activities, including a user identity verifying system and pre-payment procedures to protect against fictitious transactions, the controls and procedures we have implemented may not be effective in all cases. Failure to protect our operations and our users from fraudulent activity either by other users or our employees could result in reputational damage to us and could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

We rely on individual employees to handle prize collection using their personal bank accounts, which creates a risk of misappropriation of funds.

Under the current prize payout rules for national and provincial lottery products, prizes can only be claimed by natural persons who present the winning lottery tickets at the time of collection. Since we do not distribute physical tickets to individual users and need to collect prizes on behalf of the winning users, we rely on certain of our employees to maintain bank accounts opened in their individual names into which winning prizes are first deposited before they are transferred into the bank account of Shenzhen Youlanguang Technology Co., Ltd., or Youlanguang Technology, which then allocates the prize money to the winners’ accounts. We have adopted several measures to ensure that such individual accounts are under our strict control. See “Our Business—

 

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Purchase Order Processing and Prize Collection.” Although we have never had an incident where prize money deposited in an employee’s account was misappropriated, there is no assurance that misappropriations of prize money will not happen in the future, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation and financial results.

Failure to adequately protect user account information could have a material adverse effect on us.

We process our users’ personal data (including name, address, age, bank details and lottery purchase history) as part of our business and therefore must comply with data protection laws in China. Data protection laws restrict our ability to collect and use personal information relating to our users and potential users. Notwithstanding our IT and data security and other systems, we may not be effective in detecting any intrusion or other security breaches, or safeguarding against sabotage, hackers, viruses and cyber crime. We are exposed to the risk that personal data could be wrongfully accessed and/or used, whether by employees, users or other third parties, or otherwise lost or disclosed or processed in breach of data protection laws. If we or any of the third party service providers whom we rely on fail to transmit users information and payment details online in a secure manner or if any such theft or loss of personal users data were to otherwise occur, it could subject us to liabilities under the data protection laws or result in the loss of the goodwill of our users.

We have no insurance coverage against product liability claims or business interruptions.

As the insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of development, insurance companies in China currently offer limited business insurance products. We do not have any product liability insurance or business interruption insurance. As we continue to increase the number of lottery products we service, we may be increasingly exposed to claims related to such lottery products. Any such claims, business disruption, or natural disaster could result in us incurring substantial costs and a diversion of our resources away from our business, which would have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We plan to incur significant costs on a variety of marketing efforts designed to increase our net revenues and some marketing campaigns and methods may not be effective.

We have been and plan to continue to engage in a variety of different marketing efforts tailored to our targeted users to increase our user base and user activity level. For more details, see “Business—Sales, Marketing and Branding” and “Business—Our Strategies—Strengthen our brand name by concerted sales and marketing efforts.” Our marketing activities, which we expect to involve significant costs, may not be well received by users and may not result in increases in net revenues that we anticipate. Marketing approaches and tools in the online lottery market in China are evolving. This further requires us to enhance our marketing approaches and experiment with new marketing methods to keep pace with industry developments and user preferences. Failure to refine our existing marketing approaches or to introduce new effective marketing approaches in a cost-effective manner could reduce our market share, cause our net revenues to decline and negatively impact our profitability.

We might not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights.

We believe our trademarks, software, technology know-how and other intellectual property provide competitive advantages to us, which are important to our achievements to date and our future success. We have invested significant resources to develop our brand name, 500wan, which is an important asset to us. We cannot assure you that steps taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be sufficient to prevent infringement of our intellectual property rights. If we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights, including our rights in our trademarks and know-how, it could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The validity, enforceability and scope of protection available under intellectual property laws with respect to the Internet industry in China are uncertain and evolving. Implementation and enforcement of PRC intellectual property-related laws have historically been deficient and ineffective. Accordingly, protection of intellectual property rights in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other western countries. Furthermore, policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive, and we may need to resort to

 

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litigation to enforce or defend our copyrights or other intellectual property rights or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of our proprietary rights or those of others. Such litigation and any adverse determination thereof could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention away from our business.

We may be subject to allegations or liabilities for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights based on the content available on our websites or information services we provide.

We provide our users with real-time and historical lottery-related news, data, analyses, real-time match scores and other content on our information platform. We obtain such content from a third-party professional sports information agency as well as publicly available sources. The user forum of our websites also hosts a significant amount of content generated by our users. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to allegations, claims or lawsuits by third parties regarding the use of lottery or sports related information or any other content on our websites, which may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of such third parties. If such claims are found valid by the courts and we are ordered to remove the content from our websites, our information platform will become less attractive and our user experience and satisfaction will be adversely affected. Even if we successfully defend ourselves against such claims or allegations, we could nevertheless incur considerable costs in such defense or suffer reputational damage due to the negative publicity associated with such claims or allegations.

We rely on our senior management and key employees.

Our success is dependent upon the expertise and continued service of our senior management and other key personnel. Our founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Man San Law, has 12 years of experience in the lottery service industry. Mr. Law is a pioneer of the online lottery service market who has been at the forefront of developing innovative online products and solutions and has established relations with market participants in China. Most of our senior management team members have 12 years of experience in information technology or Internet related industries. They are crucial to our smooth operation and continued innovation. In addition, we rely on a limited number of specialized staff members in certain areas of our IT operations where we do not receive support from external service providers. Furthermore, our ability to expand our operations to accommodate our anticipated growth will also depend on our ability to attract and retain additional personnel such as qualified risk managers, finance, management, marketing, technical and other personnel. Competition for these employees is intense due to the limited number of qualified personnel. It may be difficult for us to manage our business and meet our objectives if we fail to attract and retain such personnel and our results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

We are dependent on external service providers with respect to payment and settlement processing, and the provision of faulty services by these providers could lead to financial loss and damage to our reputation.

We are dependent on cooperation with external service providers with specialist knowledge and technology for processing lottery purchase orders. This includes, among other things, data and voice communication, procurement, installation, further development, maintenance and servicing of hardware and software, server housing and payment processing. It is possible that one or more of the external service providers do not perform the services, or that they do not perform them in a timely and accurate manner. It is therefore possible that, due to failures or omissions by the external service providers that we have engaged, we will not be in a position to perform our own services faultlessly or on time. This could lead to revenue losses, liability for damage, and substantial damage to our reputation.

We depend on payment processing for the success of our business.

We require our users to deposit funds in their registered accounts in advance of any lottery purchases. Users’ prize money are also deposited in and withdrawn from their respective accounts. Therefore, the provision of convenient, trusted and effective payment processing services to our users and potential users is critical to our

 

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business. If there is any deterioration or perceived deterioration in the quality of the payment processing services provided by us or any interruption to those services, or if our payment processing services are not performed in a timely manner, our users and potential users may be deterred from using our online lottery services, and we may be subject to user complaints and allegations concerning the mishandling of their funds, which may damage our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our quarterly net revenues and operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations.

Our quarterly revenues and operating results have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate depending upon a number of factors, many of which are out of our control. For these reasons, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly and annual net revenues and costs and expenses as a percentage of our net revenues may be significantly different from our historical or projected rates. Our operating results in future quarters may fall below expectations. Any of these events could cause the price of our ADSs to fall. Other factors that may affect our financial results include, among others:

 

   

seasonality of sports events on which sport lotteries are based;

 

   

change of lottery issuance schedules by the lottery issuance authorities;

 

   

changes in government policies or regulations, or their enforcement;

 

   

economic conditions in China and worldwide; and

 

   

geopolitical events or natural disasters such as war, threat of war, earthquake or epidemics.

Our operating results tend to be seasonal. For instance, we may have lower net revenues during the first quarter of each year primarily due to the Chinese New Year holidays in that quarter.

We could be subject to administrative penalties or business losses if our current user identity verifying system cannot sufficiently prevent us from taking purchase orders from underage users.

According to the Regulation on Administration of Lottery issued by the State Council which came into effect on July 1, 2009, a lottery service provider may be subject to administrative penalties from the local civil affairs authority or the sports administration authorities if it takes lottery purchase orders from underage users. The lottery administration centers have the right to terminate their service agreements with a service provider if it becomes subject to administrative penalties. It is still unclear which security mechanisms have to be introduced for online service providers to protect minors. Although we have adopted a user identity verifying system which allows us to filter out underage users, we cannot assure you that our current system is sufficient for us to identify all underage users. If the relevant authorities determine that we are in violation of any relevant regulations, we may be subject to administrative penalties and we may lose our service agreements with the lottery operation centers.

In addition, a registration process that is as simple as possible and takes only a short time to complete is an important factor in our ability to attract new users. Currently, the age verification step of our registration process is relatively simple. If it becomes apparent that this measure is inadequate, the registration process might have to be made more lengthy and difficult for more in-depth checks, such as requiring users to provide a copy of their Chinese ID card or other identification documents as part of the registration process, which could decrease the number of new registrations or lead to a decrease in users. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In the course of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we have identified material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence in our company and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely affected.

We will be subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws after this offering. Our reporting obligations as a public company will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable future. Prior to this offering, we have been a private company and have had limited accounting personnel and other resources with which to address our internal control over financial reporting. We and our independent registered public accounting firm, in connection with the preparation and external audit of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, have identified certain material weaknesses and a control deficiency, each as defined in the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Standard AU Section 325, Communications About Control Deficiencies in an Audit of Financial Statements, or AU325, in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in AU325, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The material weaknesses identified related to (i) insufficient personnel with U.S. GAAP expertise in the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements; and (ii) lack of an effective independent oversight function to prevent and detect misstatements in financial statements. Neither we nor our independent registered public accounting firm undertook a comprehensive assessment of our internal control for purposes of identifying and reporting material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting as we and they may be required to do after we become a public company. In light of the number of material weaknesses and other control deficiencies that were identified as a result of the limited procedures performed, we believe it is possible that, had we performed a formal assessment of our internal control over financial reporting or had our independent registered public accounting firm performed an audit of our internal control over financial reporting, additional control deficiencies may have been identified.

Following the identification of these material weaknesses and other control deficiencies, we have begun taking measures and plan to continue to take measures to remedy these weaknesses and deficiencies. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address these material weaknesses and other control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, and we cannot conclude that they have been fully remedied. Our failure to correct these material weaknesses and other control deficiencies or our failure to discover and address any other control deficiencies could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and make related regulatory filings on a timely basis. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs, may be materially and adversely affected.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will require that we include a report from management on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. In addition, beginning at the same time, our independent registered public accounting firm may be required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to remedy the problems identified above, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. This could adversely impact the market price of our ADSs due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our reporting processes. We will need to incur significant costs and use significant management and other resources in order to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

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Our grant of employee share options, restricted shares or other share-based compensation and any future grants could have an adverse effect on our net income.

U.S. GAAP prescribes how we account for share-based compensation and may have an adverse impact on our results of operations or the price of our ADSs. U.S. GAAP requires us to recognize share-based compensation as compensation expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income generally based on the fair value of equity awards on the date of the grant, with compensation expense recognized over the period in which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the equity award. The expenses associated with share-based compensation may reduce the attractiveness of issuing share options or restricted shares under our equity incentive plan. However, if we do not grant share options or restricted shares, or reduce the number of share options or restricted shares we grant, we may not be able to attract and retain key personnel. If we grant more share options or restricted shares to attract and retain key personnel, the expenses associated with share-based compensation may adversely affect our net income.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the Internet and the lottery business, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations.

Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions on foreign ownership of companies that engage in the Internet and lottery businesses. We conduct our operations in China principally through contractual arrangements among our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC and their respective shareholders. Our online lottery services were primarily provided through E-Sun Sky Network, the wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network. E-Sun Sky Network owns and manages our operating websites, namely, www.500wan.com and www.500.com. Guangtiandi Technology and Yonglanguang Technology were established to provide technical support to E-Sun Sky Network. Youlanguang Technology provides services to E-Sun Sky Network relating to the management of our users’ registration information and accounts, while Guangtiandi Technology provides services to E-Sun Sky Network relating to the implementation of the technical interface with the provincial lottery administration centers, the maintenance of our lottery ticket database, and the printing of lottery tickets when needed for the purpose of prize collection. Our contractual arrangements with E-Sun Network, Guangtiandi Technology, Youlanguang Technology and their respective shareholders (i) enable us to exercise effective control over these entities, and (ii) give us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits of these entities, requiring us to treat them as our consolidated affiliated entities and to consolidate their operating results. For a detailed discussion of these contractual arrangements, see “Our History and Corporate Structure.”

We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to enforce these contracts. Although we believe we are in compliance with current PRC regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that these contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. PRC laws and regulations governing the validity of these contractual arrangements are open to varying interpretations and the relevant government authorities have broad discretion in interpreting these laws and regulations. If the PRC government determines that we are not in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, it could revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to discontinue or restrict our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, block our websites, require us to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. The imposition of any of these penalties would result in a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

 

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We rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities in China and their shareholders for our operations, which may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing operational control.

Since PRC laws restrict foreign equity ownership in companies engaged in the Internet and lottery businesses in China, we rely on contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders to operate our business in China. If we had direct ownership of E-Sun Network, Guangtiandi Technology or Youlanguang Technology, we would be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of E-Sun Network, Guangtiandi Technology or Youlanguang Technology, which in turn could effectuate changes at the management level, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations. However, under the current contractual arrangements that were executed on June 1, 2011 and amended on May 2, 2013, we rely on our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders’ performance of their contractual obligations to exercise effective control over our business in China. In addition, our contractual arrangements generally have a term of 10 years with an automatic extension for a number of years to be determined by E-Sun Sky Computer, which is subject to E-Sun Sky Computer’s unilateral termination right. In general, neither our consolidated affiliated entities nor their respective shareholders may terminate the contracts prior to the expiration date. However, the shareholders of E-Sun Network, Guangtiandi Technology or Youlanguang Technology may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under these contracts, including the obligation to renew these contracts when their initial term expires. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate our business through the contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders. We may replace the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities at any time pursuant to our contractual arrangements with them and their shareholders. However, if any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, we will have to enforce our rights under these contracts through the operations of PRC law, arbitration and courts and therefore will be subject to uncertainties in the PRC legal system. See “—Any failure by our consolidated affiliated entities or their respective shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them may have a material adverse effect on our business.” Therefore, these contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over these consolidated affiliated entities.

Any failure by our consolidated affiliated entities or their respective shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders may fail to take certain actions required for our business or follow our instructions despite their contractual obligations to do so. If they fail to perform their obligations under their respective agreements with us, we may have to rely on legal remedies under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, which may not be effective.

All of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC laws and provide for the resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. The legal environment in the PRC is not as developed as compared to certain other jurisdictions, such as the United States. As a result, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce these contractual arrangements, which may make it difficult to exert effective control over our consolidated affiliated entities, and our ability to conduct our business may be adversely affected.

Contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities may result in adverse tax consequences to us.

Under applicable PRC tax laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities within 10 years after the taxable year when the arrangements or transactions are conducted. We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the contractual arrangements among E-Sun Sky Computer, our wholly owned subsidiary in China, our consolidated affiliated entities in China and their respective shareholders were not

 

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entered into on an arm’s-length basis and therefore constituted unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements. Unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements could, among other things, result in an upward adjustment on taxation. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose interest on late payments on our consolidated affiliated entities for the adjusted but unpaid taxes. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected if our consolidated affiliated entities’ tax liabilities increase significantly or if they are required to pay interest on late payments.

The shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

We provide no incentives to the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities for the purpose of encouraging them to act in our best interests in their capacity as the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities. We may replace any of the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities at any time pursuant to the amended and restated equity option agreements. In addition, each of the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities has executed a power of attorney to appoint E-Sun Sky Computer or any person designated by E-Sun Sky Computer to vote on their behalf and exercise full voting rights as shareholders of the consolidated affiliated entities. We cannot assure you that when conflicts arise, the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities will act in the best interests of our company or that conflicts will be resolved in our favor. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or disputes between us and the shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities, we would have to rely on legal proceedings, which may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations. There is also substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.

We may rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.

We are a holding company, and we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, for our cash and financing requirements, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders and service any debt we may incur. If E-Sun Sky Computer incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may require us to adjust our taxable income under the contractual arrangements E-Sun Sky Computer currently has in place with our consolidated affiliated entities in a manner that would materially and adversely affect its ability to pay dividends and other distributions to us.

Under PRC laws and regulations, E-Sun Sky Computer, as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in the PRC, may pay dividends only out of its accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign-owned enterprise such as E-Sun Sky Computer is required to set aside at least 10% of its accumulated after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a statutory reserve fund, until the aggregate amount of such a fund reaches 50% of its registered capital. At its discretion, it may allocate a portion of its after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to staff welfare and bonus funds. These reserve funds and staff welfare and bonus funds are not distributable as cash dividends. Any limitation on the ability of E-Sun Sky Computer to pay dividends or make other distributions to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business.

PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may limit our use of the proceeds we receive from this offering to fund our expansion or operations.

In utilizing the proceeds we receive from this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds,” as an offshore holding company with a PRC subsidiary, we may (i) make additional capital contributions to our existing PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, (ii) establish new PRC subsidiaries and make capital contributions to these new PRC subsidiaries, (iii) make loans to our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated

 

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entities, or (iv) acquire offshore entities with business operations in China in an offshore transaction. However, most of these uses are subject to PRC regulations and approvals. For example:

 

   

capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, whether existing or newly established ones, must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts;

 

   

loans by us to our PRC subsidiaries, each of which is a foreign-invested enterprise, to finance their activities cannot exceed the statutory limit, which is the difference between the registered capital and the amount of total investment as approved by the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts, and must be registered with the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local branches; and

 

   

loans by us to our consolidated affiliated entities, which are domestic PRC entities, must be approved by the National Development and Reform Commission and must also be registered with SAFE or its local branches.

On August 29, 2008, SAFE promulgated the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 142, regulating the conversion by a foreign-invested enterprise of foreign currency registered capital into Renminbi by restricting how the converted Renminbi may be used. SAFE Circular 142 provides that the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the applicable governmental authority and may not be used for equity investments within the PRC, unless it is provided for otherwise. In addition, SAFE strengthened its oversight of the flow and use of the Renminbi capital converted from foreign currency registered capital of a foreign-invested company. The use of such Renminbi capital may not be altered without SAFE approval, and such Renminbi capital may not in any case be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not been used. Violations of SAFE Circular 142 could result in severe monetary or other penalties. We expect that if we convert the net proceeds we receive from this offering into Renminbi pursuant to SAFE Circular 142, our use of Renminbi funds will be for purposes within the approved business scope of our PRC subsidiary. Such business scope includes “technical services,” which we believe permits our PRC subsidiary to purchase or lease servers and other equipment for their own technical data and research and to provide operational support to our consolidated affiliated entities. However, we may not be able to use such Renminbi funds to make equity investments in the PRC through our PRC subsidiary. Furthermore, SAFE promulgated a circular on November 9, 2010, or Circular 59, which requires the authenticity of settlement of net proceeds from offshore offerings to be closely examined and the net proceeds to be settled in the manner described in the offering documents. SAFE further promulgated the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses, or Circular 45, on November 9, 2011, which expressly prohibits foreign-invested enterprises from using the registered capital settled in Renminbi converted from foreign currencies to grant loans through entrustment arrangements with a bank, repay inter-company loans or repay bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. Circular 142, Circular 59 and Circular 45 may significantly limit our ability to transfer the net proceeds from an offering to our PRC subsidiaries and convert the net proceeds into Renminbi, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.

We expect that the PRC regulations of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may continue to limit our use of the proceeds we receive from this offering. There are no costs associated with registering loans or capital contributions with relevant PRC governmental authorities, other than nominal processing charges. Under the relevant PRC laws and regulations, the PRC governmental authorities are required to process such approvals or registrations or deny our application within a prescribed time period, which is usually less than 90 days. The actual time taken, however, may be longer due to administrative delays. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to our future plans to use the U.S. dollar proceeds we receive from this offering for our expansion and operations in China. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of this offering and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and ability to fund and expand our business.

 

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Risks Related to Doing Business in China

The complexities, uncertainties and rapid changes in PRC regulation of Internet business and companies require significant resources for compliance.

The PRC government extensively regulates the Internet industry, including foreign ownership of, and the licensing and permit requirements pertaining to, companies in the Internet industry. These Internet-related laws and regulations are relatively new and evolving, and their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainty. As a result, in certain circumstances it may be difficult to determine what actions or omissions may be deemed to be in violations of applicable laws and regulations. Issues, risks and uncertainties relating to PRC regulation of the Internet business include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

There are uncertainties relating to the regulation of the Internet business in China, including evolving licensing practices. This means that permits, licenses or operations at some of our companies may be subject to challenge, or we may fail to obtain permits or licenses that may be deemed necessary for our operations or we may not be able to obtain or renew certain permits or licenses. The major permits and licenses that could be involved include, without limitation, the Permit for Operation of Value-Added Telecom Services, or VAS license, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or the MIIT. Pursuant to the VAS license issued to E-Sun Sky Network by Telecommunication Management Bureau of Guangdong Province in February 2013, E-Sun Sky Network is permitted to provide internet information services within Guangdong Province. The license is effective until September 2017. We need to renew each of the licenses upon its expiration, and apply for permits and alteration of the license in advance of any change to the license holder regarding its shareholding structure, controlling shareholders, merger and acquisition, business scope and etc, and apply for alteration of the license for any change to the name, legal representative of the license holder. However, we cannot assure you that each of the licenses will be successfully and timely renewed, or that the license will continue to cover all aspects of our online lottery service business upon its renewal. If we fail to maintain any of these required licenses or approvals, we may be subject to various penalties, including fines and the discontinuation of or restriction on our operations. Any such disruption in our operations may have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

   

New laws and regulations that regulate Internet activities, including online lottery services, may be promulgated. If these new laws and regulations are promulgated, additional licenses may be required for our operations. If our operations do not comply with these new regulations after they become effective, or if we fail to obtain any licenses required under these new laws and regulations, we could be subject to penalties.

 

   

We only have contractual control over our operating websites, namely, www.500wan.com and www.500.com. We do not directly own our websites due to the restriction of foreign investment in businesses providing value-added telecom services in China, including Internet content provision services. If the authorities challenge our corporate structure or rights to our websites, it could significantly disrupt our business, subject us to sanctions, compromise enforceability of related contractual arrangements, or have other adverse effects on us.

The interpretation and application of existing PRC laws, regulations and policies and any new laws, regulations or policies relating to the Internet industry have created substantial uncertainties regarding the legality of existing and future foreign investments in, and the businesses and activities of, the Internet business in China, including our business. We cannot assure you that we have obtained all the permits or licenses required for conducting our business in China or will be able to maintain our existing licenses or obtain any new licenses required under any new laws or regulations. There are also risks that we may be found to violate existing or future laws and regulations given the uncertainty and complexity of China’s regulation of Internet business.

In addition, new laws and regulations governing the use of the Internet could be issued at the national or provincial level, or existing regulations could be interpreted more strictly. No assurance can be given that business on the Internet in general or our online services in particular will not be adversely impacted by further

 

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regulations. Technical limitations on Internet use can also be developed or implemented. For example, restrictions can be implemented on personal Internet use in the workplace in general or access to our site in particular. This could lead to a reduction of user activities or a loss of users which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may be required in connection with this offering. Any requirement to obtain prior CSRC approval could delay, or create uncertainties regarding, this offering, and our failure to obtain this approval, if required, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation and trading price of our ADSs.

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, jointly promulgated the 2006 M&A Rules, which were later amended on June 22, 2009. According to the 2006 M&A Rules, an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, refers to an overseas company controlled directly or indirectly by domestic companies or individuals for purposes of overseas listing of equity interests in domestic companies (defined as enterprises in the PRC other than foreign-invested enterprises). If an SPV purchases, for the purpose of overseas listing, the equity interests of any PRC company that are held by PRC companies or individuals controlling such SPV, then the overseas listing by the SPV must be approved by the CSRC. The application of the 2006 M&A Rules remains unclear, with no consensus currently existing among PRC law firms regarding the scope of CSRC jurisdiction. The CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule concerning whether offerings like this offering are subject to the 2006 M&A Rules.

Our PRC counsel has advised that the 2006 M&A Rules do not require us to obtain prior CSRC approval for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NYSE, given that:

 

   

the CSRC approval requirement applies to SPVs that acquired equity interests of any PRC company that are held by PRC companies or individuals controlling such SPV and seek overseas listing; and

 

   

our PRC operating subsidiary was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition by our company of the equity interest or assets of any “domestic company” as defined under the 2006 M&A Rules, and no provision in the 2006 M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements between our company, our PRC subsidiary and any of our consolidated affiliated entities, including, among others, the Equity Interests Pledge Agreements and the Irrevocable Power of Attorney, either by each agreement itself or taken as a whole, as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the 2006 M&A Rules.

However, if the CSRC subsequently determines that its prior approval is required, we may face regulatory action or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations, limit our operating privileges, delay or restrict our remittance of the proceeds from this offering into China, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our ADSs. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the ADSs offered hereby. Consequently, if you engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, you do so at the risk that such settlement and delivery may not occur.

We cannot predict when the CSRC may promulgate additional rules or other guidance, if at all. If implementing rules or guidance are issued prior to completion of this offering and consequently we conclude that we are required to obtain CSRC approval, this offering will be delayed until we obtain CSRC approval, which may take several months or longer. Moreover, implementing rules or guidance, to the extent issued, may fail to resolve current ambiguities under the 2006 M&A Rules. Uncertainties or negative publicity regarding the 2006 M&A Rules could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our ADSs.

 

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Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.

The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of foreign currency out of China. We receive all of our service fees in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our income is primarily derived from dividend payments from our PRC subsidiary. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiary to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to us, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency-denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from trade related transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from SAFE by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from SAFE or its local branch is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access to foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders, including holders of our ADSs.

Fluctuations in exchange rates of the Renminbi could materially affect our reported results of operations.

The exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. In July 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar, and the Renminbi was permitted to fluctuate within a band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. As a result, the Renminbi appreciated more than 20% against the U.S. dollar over the following three years. During the period between July 2008 and June 2010, the Renminbi has traded stably within a narrow range against the U.S. dollar. Since June 2010, the Renminbi has started to slowly appreciate further against the U.S. dollar. See “Exchange Rate Information.” However, the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to limit fluctuations in Renminbi exchange rates and achieve policy goals.

As we may rely on dividends and other fees paid to us by our subsidiaries and affiliated consolidated entities in China, any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, net revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in U.S. dollars. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars received from our initial public offering into Renminbi for our operations, an appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we would receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.

Our operations may be adversely affected by changes in China’s political, economic and social conditions.

Substantially all of our assets and operations are located in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by political, economic and social conditions in China generally and by continued economic growth in China as a whole.

The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industrial development by imposing industrial policies. The Chinese government

 

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also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through allocating resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy, and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth over the past decade, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. In the past the Chinese government has implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, which may adversely affect our business and operating results. Any significant increase in China’s inflation rate could increase our costs and have a negative impact on our operating margins. In addition, any sudden changes to China’s political system or the occurrence of widespread social unrest could have negative effects on our business and results of operations.

Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

Under the new enterprise income tax law, or the EIT Law, and its implementation rules, or the Implementation Rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008, an enterprise established outside of the PRC with “de facto management bodies” within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and is subject to enterprise income tax, or EIT, at the rate of 25% on its global income. The Implementation Rules define the term “de facto management bodies” as “establishments that carry out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operations, personnel, accounting, properties, etc. of an enterprise.” The State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies, or Circular 82, on April 22, 2009. Circular 82 provides that a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following criteria are satisfied: (i) the place where the senior management and core management departments that are in charge of its daily operations perform their duties is mainly located in the PRC; (ii) its financial and human resources decisions are made by or are subject to approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights frequently reside in the PRC. Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those invested in by PRC individuals, like our company, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or controlled by or invested in by PRC individuals. We do not believe that any of 500.com Limited, Fine Brand Limited or 500wan HK Limited meets all of the criteria above. Although we conduct our business principally through contractual arrangements among our wholly owned PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, and decisions relating to our financial and human resource matters are made by personnel of our wholly owned PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, each of 500.com Limited, Fine Brand Limited or 500wan HK Limited is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As holding companies, these three entities’ key assets and records, including the resolutions of their respective board of directors and the resolutions of their respective shareholders, are located and maintained outside the PRC. While we do not believe we would be considered a resident enterprise, if the PRC authorities were to subsequently determine that we should be so treated, a 25% EIT on our global income could significantly increase our tax burden and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Pursuant to the EIT Law, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign

 

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investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement and provided that relevant tax authorities approved the foreign investors as the beneficial owners of such dividends under applicable tax regulations. We are a Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all of our income may come from dividends from our PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, through our Hong Kong holding company. The Cayman Islands do not have such a tax treaty with China. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation on Income between China and Hong Kong entered into in August 2006, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the relevant PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%. To the extent these dividends are subject to withholding tax, the amount of funds available to us to meet our cash requirements, including the payment of dividends to our shareholders and ADS holders, will be reduced.

In addition, because there remains uncertainty regarding the interpretation and implementation of the EIT Law and the Implementation Rules, it is uncertain whether, if we are regarded as a PRC resident enterprise, any dividends to be distributed by us to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders would be subject to any PRC withholding tax. If we are required under the EIT Law to withhold PRC income tax on our dividends payable to our non-PRC corporate shareholders and ADS holders, your investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.

Furthermore, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Notice on How to Understand and Determine the Beneficial Owners in Tax Agreement in October 2009, or Circular 601, which provides guidance for determining whether a resident of a contracting state is the “beneficial owner” of an item of income under China’s tax treaties and tax arrangements. According to Circular 601, a beneficial owner generally must be engaged in substantive business activities. An agent or conduit company will not be regarded as a beneficial owner and, therefore, will not qualify for treaty benefits. The conduit company normally refers to a company that is set up for the purpose of avoiding or reducing taxes or transferring or accumulating profits. If we are not considered a resident enterprise, we cannot assure you that any dividends distributed to our Hong Kong holding company will be eligible for a reduced withholding tax rate under the applicable treaty. In addition, we cannot assure you that any dividends to be distributed by us to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders whose jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China providing for a different withholding arrangement will be entitled to the benefits under the relevant withholding arrangement if we are considered a resident enterprise.

We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

Pursuant to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or SAT Circular 698, issued by the State Administration of Taxation, or the SAT, on December 10, 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, where a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests of a PRC resident enterprise indirectly via disposing the equity interests of an overseas holding company, or an Indirect Transfer, and such overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that (i) has an effective tax of rate less than 12.5% or (ii) does not tax foreign income of its residents, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, shall report to the relevant tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise such Indirect Transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. SAT Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.

There is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Circular 698. For example, while the term “Indirect Transfer” is not clearly defined, it is understood that the relevant PRC tax authorities have jurisdiction regarding

 

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requests for information over a wide range of foreign entities having no direct contact with China. Moreover, the relevant authority has not yet promulgated any formal provisions or formally declared or stated how to calculate the effective tax rates in foreign tax jurisdictions, and the process and format for reporting an Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise. In addition, there are no formal declarations with regard to how to determine whether a foreign investor has adopted an abusive arrangement in order to reduce, avoid or defer PRC tax. SAT Circular 698 may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to our offshore restructuring transactions, if any of such transactions were to be determined by the tax authorities to lack reasonable commercial purpose. As a result, we and our non-resident investors in such transactions may be at risk of being taxed under SAT Circular 698 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 698 or to establish that we should not be taxed under the general anti-avoidance rule of the EIT Law, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-resident investors’ investments in us.

The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the legal protections available to you and us.

As our main operating entities and a substantial majority of our assets are located in China, PRC laws and the PRC legal system in general may have a significant impact on our business operations. Although China’s legal system has developed over the last several decades, PRC laws, regulations and legal requirements remain underdeveloped relative to the United States. Moreover, PRC laws and regulations change frequently and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties. For example, the interpretation or enforcement of PRC laws and regulations may be subject to government rules or policies, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all. In addition, the relative inexperience of China’s judiciary in some cases may create uncertainty as to the outcome of litigation. These uncertainties could limit our ability to enforce our legal or contractual rights or otherwise adversely affect our business and operations. Furthermore, due to the existence of unpublished rules and policies, and since newly issued PRC laws and regulations may have retroactive effect, we may not be aware of our violation of certain PRC laws, regulations, policies or rules until after the fact.

A failure by our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents in China to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities or subject us to liability under PRC laws, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

In October 2005, SAFE, issued the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 75 states that PRC citizens or residents must register with the relevant local SAFE branch or central SAFE in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving a roundtrip investment, whereby the offshore entity acquires or controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the PRC citizens or residents. In addition, such PRC citizens or residents must amend their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose company undergoes material events relating to increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, mergers or divisions, long-term equity or debt investments, external guarantees, or other material events that do not involve roundtrip investments. Since May 2007, SAFE has issued guidance to its local branches regarding the operational procedures for such registration, which provides more specific and stringent requirements on the registration relating to SAFE Circular 75.

We are committed to complying, and to ensuring that our shareholders and beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents comply, with SAFE Circular 75 requirements. We have requested our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to complete the registration under SAFE Circular 75, if applicable. As of the date of this prospectus, our beneficial shareholders Ping Yuan, Jiepin Fu, Bo Zou, Ying Zou, He Li, Xue Li and Man San Law have completed their SAFE Circular 75 registrations with the Shenzhen branch of SAFE and they are expected to update and amend such registrations to reflect the development of our company, including reservation of ordinary shares under our 2011 share incentive plan, the redemption and issuance of our ordinary

 

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shares in 2012, Xiaojun Xu ceasing to be our beneficial shareholder, the issuance and sales of the convertible note and exchangeable notes, the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, recent change of our company name, the issuance and sales of our ordinary shares in October 2013 and this offering. However, we may not be fully informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents, and we cannot compel our beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 75 requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents have complied with, and will in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 75 or other related regulations. Failure by such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 75, or failure by us to amend the foreign exchange registrations of our PRC subsidiary, could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.

A failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration of shares and share options held by our employees who are PRC citizens may subject such employees or us to fines and legal or administrative sanctions.

On February 15, 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Share Option Rules, which replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Share Ownership Plans or Share Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies issued by SAFE on March 28, 2007. Under the Share Option Rules and other relevant rules and regulations, PRC residents who participate in share incentive plan in an overseas publicly-listed company are required to register with SAFE or its local branches and complete certain other procedures. Participants of a share incentive plan who are PRC residents must retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of such overseas publicly listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the share incentive plan on behalf of its participants. Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share options, the purchase and sale of corresponding shares or interests and fund transfers. In addition, the PRC agent is required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the share incentive plan if there is any material change to the share incentive plan, the PRC agent or the overseas entrusted institution or other material changes. See “Regulations—Regulations on Foreign Exchange.”

Our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is not permitted to be subject to inspection by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.

Our independent registered public accounting firm issued the audit report included in this prospectus and will issue audit reports filed with the SEC in the future. Generally, an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB, and is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards. However, as our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the PRC authorities, our auditor, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in China, is currently not inspected by PCAOB.

Inspections of other firms outside of China conducted by PCAOB have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures. The inability of PCAOB to conduct inspections of independent registered public accounting firms operating in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or quality control procedures. As a result, investors may be deprived of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

 

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We may be adversely affected by the outcome of the administrative proceedings brought by the SEC against five accounting firms in China.

The SEC has brought administrative proceedings against five accounting firms in China, alleging that the accounting firms refused to produce audit papers and other documents related to certain China-based companies that were under investigation by the SEC for potential accounting fraud. The independent registered public accounting firm that will issue the audit reports included in this prospectus and our future annual reports to be filed with the SEC is one of the five accounting firms named in the SEC’s proceedings, and we may be adversely affected by the outcome of the proceedings.

The PCAOB announced on May 24, 2013 that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation, or the MOU, with CSRC and the Ministry of Finance of China. The MOU establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations in the US and the PRC. The PCAOB continues to engage in discussions with the CSRC and Ministry of Finance of China to permit joint inspections in China of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit China based companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

However, the SEC administrative proceedings are ongoing and it is unclear what impact, if any, the MOU will have on the SEC proceedings. If the SEC prevails in the proceedings, our independent registered public accounting firm and the other four accounting firms in China that were named in the proceedings may be barred from practicing before the SEC and hence unable to continue serving as auditors for China-based companies listed in the U.S. If none of the China-based auditors are able to continue serving as auditors for China-based companies listed in the U.S., we will not be able to meet the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act following the listing of our ADSs in the U.S., which may ultimately result in our deregistration by the SEC and delisting from the NYSE.

Risks Related to Our ADSs and This Offering

An active trading market for our ordinary shares or our ADSs may not develop and the trading price of our ADSs may fluctuate significantly.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ADSs or our ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. If an active public market for our ADSs does not develop after this offering, the market price and liquidity of our ADSs may be adversely affected. We have applied to list our ADSs on the NYSE. A liquid public market for our ADSs may not develop. The public offering price for our ADSs will be determined by negotiation between us and the underwriters based upon several factors, including prevailing market conditions, our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, and the market valuations of similar companies. The price at which the ADSs are traded after this offering may decline below the public offering price, meaning that you may experience a decrease in the value of your ADSs regardless of our operating performance or prospects. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders have often instituted securities class action litigation against that company. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert the attention of senior management, and, if adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Future sales or perceived sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares by existing shareholders could cause our ADSs price to decline.

If our existing shareholders sell, indicate an intention to sell, or are perceived to intend to sell, substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market after the 180-day contractual lock-up period and the lapse of other legal restrictions on resale discussed in this prospectus, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline. Upon closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, we will have 322,621,553 outstanding ordinary shares. All ADSs sold in this offering will be freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market. The representative of the underwriters may, in its sole discretion, permit any party subject to lock-up agreements to sell shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements. After the lock-up agreements

 

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pertaining to this offering expire (180 days or more from the date of this prospectus), all of our outstanding shares will be eligible for sale in the public market, but they will be subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act. In addition, ordinary shares subject to outstanding options under our share incentive plan will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting agreements, the lock-up agreements and Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold in the public market, the trading price of our ordinary shares could decline.

Because the public offering price is substantially higher than our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.

If you purchase ADSs in this offering, you will pay more for your ADSs than the amount paid by existing shareholders for their ordinary shares on a per ADS basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution of US$8.9 per ADS (assuming (i) the automatic conversion of the convertible note issued to Sequoia into Class B ordinary shares immediately upon completion of this offering, based on a conversion price of US$0.96 per ordinary share, which, pursuant to the convertible note, equals to 80% of the public offering price of our ADS adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio and based on an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, (ii) the issuance and sale of Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in connection with the concurrent private placement at an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, and (iii) no exercise of outstanding options to acquire Class A ordinary shares or the underwriters’ option to acquire additional ADSs), representing the difference between our pro forma net tangible book value per ADS as of September 30, 2013, after giving effect to this offering and the assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus). In addition, you may experience further dilution to the extent that our Class A ordinary shares are issued upon the exercise of outstanding share options. Substantially all of the Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of currently outstanding share options will be issued at a purchase price on a per ADS basis that is less than the public offering price per ADS in this offering.

Future issuance of share options or restricted shares may have a diluting effect on existing and future shareholders.

The grant and exercise of share options or restricted shares to be issued in the future will likely result in a dilution of the value of our ordinary shares for all shareholders. We established a 2011 Share Incentive Plan under which we are able to issue up to 12% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares from time to time. We subsequently adjusted the exercise prices of certain options granted in June 2012. For more details, see “Management—Share Incentive Plan.” We may in the future issue additional share options and other share-based awards under the plan, which may dilute the interest of the existing and future shareholders. See “Management—Share Incentive Plan.” Moreover, we may seek authorization to increase the number of shares subject to our 2011 Share Incentive Plan, or sell additional securities and/or rights to purchase such securities at any time in the future. Dilution of the value of the ordinary shares will likely result from such sales, which in turn could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and ADSs.

We may become a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in adverse United States tax consequences to United States investors.

Based on our financial statements and the projected composition of our income and valuation of our assets, including goodwill, we do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for 2013, and we do not expect to become one in the future, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The determination of whether or not we are a PFIC is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our income and assets from time to time. Specifically, for any taxable year we will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either (i) 75% or more of our gross income in that taxable year is passive income

 

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or (ii) the average percentage of our assets (which includes cash) by value in that taxable year which produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. The calculation of the value of our assets will be based, in part, on the quarterly market value of our ADSs, which is subject to change. See “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

In addition, there is uncertainty as to the treatment of our corporate structure and ownership of our consolidated affiliated entities for United States federal income tax purposes. If it is determined that we do not own the stock of our consolidated affiliated entities for United States federal income tax purposes (for instance, because the relevant PRC authorities do not respect these arrangements), we would likely be treated as a PFIC.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares, such characterization could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to you if you are a United States Holder, as defined under “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” For example, if we are or become a PFIC, you may become subject to increased tax liabilities under United States federal income tax laws and regulations, and will become subject to burdensome reporting requirements. See “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.” We cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for 2013 or any future taxable year.

You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings in relation to any such offerings.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. The depositary may, but is not required to, attempt to sell these undistributed rights to third parties, and may allow the rights to lapse. We may be unable to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to these rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.

In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property and you will not receive such distribution.

The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile and could fluctuate widely in response to factors relating to our business as well as external factors beyond our control. Factors such as variations in our financial results, announcements of new business initiatives by us or by our competitors, recruitment or departure of key personnel, changes in the estimates of our financial results or changes in the recommendations of any securities analysts electing to follow our securities or the securities of our competitors could cause the market price for our ADSs to change substantially. At the same time, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. For example, in late 2008 and early 2009, the securities markets in the United States, China and other jurisdictions experienced the largest decline in share prices since September 2001. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ordinary shares.

In addition, the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in China that have listed their securities in the United States may affect the volatility in

 

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the price of and trading volumes for our ADSs. In recent years, a number of PRC companies have listed their securities, or are in the process of preparing for listing their securities, on U.S. stock markets. Some of these companies have experienced significant volatility, including significant price declines in connection with their initial public offerings. The trading performances of these PRC companies’ securities at the time of or after their offerings may affect the overall investor sentiment towards PRC companies listed in the United States and consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs. These broad market and industry factors may significantly affect the market price and volatility of our ADSs, regardless of our actual operating performance. Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the trading volume and price for our ADSs.

Holders of our Class B ordinary shares will control the outcome of shareholder actions in our company.

Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, our ordinary shares will be divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. Holders of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to 10 votes per share. We will issue Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering. Assuming the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional ADSs, upon completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, holders of our Class B ordinary shares will hold 264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares, or 82.1% of the combined total outstanding ordinary shares (representing 97.9% of the total voting rights) in our company, which include (i) Class B ordinary shares redesignated from our ordinary shares outstanding prior to completion of this offering, (ii) Class B ordinary shares to be automatically converted from the convertible note and (iii) Class B ordinary shares to be issued and sold by us to Sequoia in connection with the concurrent private placement, in both cases assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Their shareholding, in particular the greater voting rights of the Class B ordinary shares, gives Class B ordinary shareholders the power to control any actions that require shareholder approval under Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the NYSE requirements, including the election and removal of any member of our board of directors, mergers, consolidations and other business combinations, changes to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the number of shares available for issuance under share incentive plans and the issuance of significant amounts of our ordinary shares in private placements. Due to the disparate voting rights attached to the two classes of our ordinary shares, holders of our Class B ordinary shares could have sufficient voting rights to determine the outcome of all matters requiring shareholder approval even if it should, at some point in the future, hold considerably less than a majority of the combined total of our outstanding Class A and Class B ordinary shares.

As a result of their ownership of Class B ordinary shares, the voting power of holders of our Class B ordinary shares may cause transactions to occur that might not be beneficial to you as a holder of ADSs and may prevent transactions that would be beneficial to you. For example, their voting power may prevent a transaction involving a change of control of us, including transactions in which you as a holder of our ADSs might otherwise receive a premium for your securities over the then-current market price. Similarly, they may approve a merger or consolidation of our company that may result in you receiving a stake (either in the form of shares, debt obligations or other securities) in the surviving or new consolidated company, which may not operate our current business model and dissenter rights may not be available to you in such an event. See “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law—Mergers and Similar Arrangements” for a detailed discussion of the merger and consolidation provisions under Cayman Islands law. In addition, holders of our Class B ordinary shares are not prohibited from selling a controlling interest in us to a third party and may do so without your approval. If they sell a controlling interest in us to a third party or otherwise undergo a change of control, any acquiror or successor will be entitled to exercise the voting control and may do so in a manner that could vary significantly from that of our current holders of Class B ordinary shares.

 

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Our dual-class share structure with different voting rights could discourage others from pursuing any change of control transactions that holders of our Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide for a dual-class share structure. Our ordinary shares are divided into Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Holders of Class A ordinary shares are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B ordinary shares are entitled to 10 votes per share. We will issue Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering. Our existing shareholders, Sequoia and Blue Ivy Investment Limited, if Sequoia, Blue Ivy Investment Limited exercise their options to exchange certain exchangeable notes into our Class B ordinary shares held by certain of our current shareholders upon completion of this offering (and two third parties independent to Blue Ivy Investment Limited and us upon a contemplated transfer from Blue Ivy Investment Limited to such third parties prior to the consummation of this offering), will together hold 264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, each of which is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into Class B ordinary shares under any circumstances.

Due to the disparate voting rights attached to these two classes, our existing shareholders will have significant voting rights over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election and removal of directors and certain corporate transactions, such as mergers, consolidations and other business combinations. This concentrated control could discourage others from pursuing any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that holders of Class A ordinary shares and ADSs may view as beneficial.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents may discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunities to sell their shares at a premium.

We have adopted an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association that will become effective upon completion of this offering. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association will include provisions that could limit the ability of others to acquire control of us, modify our structure or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. For example, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix the powers and rights of these shares, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares. Preferred shares could thus be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult. In addition, if our board of directors issues preferred shares, the market price of our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares may be adversely affected. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of us in a tender offer or similar transaction.

We are a Cayman Islands company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than under U.S. law, you may have less protection of your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by noncontrolling shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States and provides significantly less protection to investors. In addition, some U.S. states,

 

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such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands.

There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although a judgment obtained in the United States will be recognised and enforced in the courts of the Cayman Islands at common law, without any re-examination of the merits of the underlying dispute, by an action commenced on the foreign judgment debt in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, provided such judgment (a) is given by a foreign court of competent jurisdiction; (b) imposes on the judgment debtor a liability to pay a liquidated sum for which the judgment has been given; (c) is final; (d) is not in respect of taxes, a fine or a penalty; and (e) was not obtained in a manner and is not of a kind the enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands. You should also read “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” for some of the differences between the corporate and securities laws in the Cayman Islands and the United States.

You will have limited ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, because we are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, because we conduct our operations exclusively in China and most of our directors and officers reside outside the United States.

We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands and conduct our operations exclusively in China. All of our assets are located outside the United States. Most of our directors and officers reside outside the United States and a substantial portion of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the Cayman Islands or in China in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the applicable securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands and of China may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state, and it is uncertain whether such Cayman Islands or PRC courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or the PRC against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and China, see “Enforcement of Civil Liabilities.”

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies such as ourselves have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records and accounts or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our amended and restated articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.

Your ability to protect your rights as shareholders through the U.S. federal courts may be limited because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a derivative action in a federal court of the United States. As a result, your ability to protect your interests if you are harmed in a manner that would otherwise enable you to sue in a United States federal court may be limited to direct shareholder lawsuits.

 

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We have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of these proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate or other purposes with which you do not agree or that do not improve our profitability or increase our ADS price. The net proceeds from this offering may also be placed in investments that do not produce income or that lose value.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are limited in several significant ways by the terms of the deposit agreement.

Holders of our ADSs may only exercise their voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Upon receipt of voting instructions from a holder of ADSs in the manner set forth in the deposit agreement, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with these instructions. Under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and Cayman Islands law, the minimum notice period required for convening a general meeting is five days. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw your ordinary shares to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter at the meeting. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ordinary shares are not voted as you requested.

The depositary of our ADSs will, except in limited circumstances, grant to us a discretionary proxy to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, which could adversely affect your interests and the ability of our shareholders as a group to influence the management of our company.

Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if you do not vote, unless:

 

   

we have failed to timely provide the depositary with our notice of meeting and related voting materials;

 

   

we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given;

 

   

we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting;

 

   

a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or

 

   

voting at the meeting is made on a show of hands.

The effect of this discretionary proxy is that you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, absent the situations described above, and it may make it more difficult for holders of ADSs to influence the management of our company. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

You may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is unlawful or impractical for us to make them available to you.

The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian for our ADSs receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and

 

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expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible if it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary is not responsible for making a distribution available to any holders of ADSs if any government approval or registration is required for such distribution. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of our ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is unlawful or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material and adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs, represented by ADRs, are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we think or the depositary thinks it is necessary or advisable to do so in connection with the performance of its duty under the deposit agreement, including due to any requirement of law or any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement.

We are an emerging growth company within the meaning of the Securities Act and may take advantage of certain reduced reporting requirements.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various requirements applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, most significantly, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-oxley act of 2012 for so long as we are an emerging growth company. As a result, if we elect not to comply with such auditor attestation requirements, our investors may not have access to certain information they may deem important.

The JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company”.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, and NYSE, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies.

We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and

 

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procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that company’s securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Our Business.” In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus relate to, among others:

 

   

our goals and strategies;

 

   

our prospects, business development, growth of our operations, financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

the expected growth of the online lottery market in China;

 

   

our plans to enhance user experience, upgrade our infrastructure and increase our service offerings;

 

   

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our services;

 

   

potential regulatory changes;

 

   

competition in our industry in China;

 

   

our planned use of proceeds; and

 

   

fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China.

These forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, our expectations may later be found to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in “Prospectus Summary—Our Challenges,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Our Business,” “Regulations” and other sections in this prospectus. You should thoroughly read this prospectus and the documents that we refer to with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

This prospectus contains certain data and information that we obtained from various government and private publications. Statistical data in these publications also include projections based on a number of assumptions. The online lottery industry may not grow at the rate projected by market data, or at all. The failure of this market to grow at the projected rate may have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the online lottery industry results in significant uncertainties for any projections or estimates relating to the growth prospects or future condition of our market. Furthermore, if any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$75.8 million consisting of (i) US$60.8 million from this offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering and based upon an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS (the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus) and (ii) US$15.0 million from the concurrent private placement to Sequoia. A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia by US$5.4 million, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering and assuming (i) no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and (ii) the completion of the concurrent private placement to Sequoia.

We anticipate using the net proceeds of this offering for the following purposes:

 

   

approximately US$20 million for sales and marketing initiatives including advertising;

 

   

approximately US$10 million for research and development;

 

   

approximately US$5 million for continuing investment in our technology platform; and

 

   

the balance for other general corporate purposes, including working capital needs, incremental costs associated with being a public company, and potential acquisitions (although we are not currently negotiating any such acquisitions).

In addition, the purposes of this offering also include the retention of employees by providing them with equity incentives and the creation of a public market for our ordinary shares represented by the ADSs for the benefit of our shareholders.

The foregoing represents our intentions as of the date of this prospectus with respect to the use and allocation of the net proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia based upon our present plans and business conditions, but our management will have significant flexibility and discretion in applying the net proceeds of the offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia. The occurrence of unforeseen events or changed business conditions may result in application of the proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia in a manner other than as described in this prospectus.

To the extent that the net proceeds we receive from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia are not immediately applied for the above purposes, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing debt instruments or bank deposits. These investments may have a material adverse effect on the United States federal income tax consequences of your investment in our ADSs. It is possible that we may become a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes, which could result in negative tax consequences for you. These consequences are described in more detail in “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our ADSs and This Offering—We may become a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which could result in adverse United States tax consequences to United States investors” and “Taxation—Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

In utilizing the proceeds of this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, we, as an offshore holding company, are permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to our PRC subsidiary through loans or capital contributions and to our consolidated affiliated entities through loans. Subject to satisfaction of applicable government registration and approval requirements, we may extend inter-company loans to our PRC subsidiary or our consolidated affiliated entities or make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiary to fund their capital expenditures or working capital. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may limit our use of the proceeds we receive from this offering to fund our expansion or operations.”

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

In 2010, we declared dividends of RMB159.9 million (US$26.1 million) to our shareholders. On December 6, 2012, we declared dividends of RMB90.0 million (US$14.7 million) to our shareholders. As of September 30, 2013, RMB94.5 million (US$15.4 million) of these dividends remained unpaid, which was repaid in full as of the date of this prospectus. See “Related Party Transactions—Related Party Loans and Other Payments” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Purchasers of ADSs in this offering are not eligible to receive any portion of these previously declared and outstanding dividends.

We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to finance our business and to fund growth and expansion of our business and, therefore, do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares, including those represented by ADSs, in the foreseeable future. We currently have no specific intention to issue share dividends in the future.

Any future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and may be based on a number of factors, including our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See “Description of American Depositary Shares.” Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. In order for us to distribute any dividends to our shareholders and ADS holders, we will rely on dividends distributed by our PRC subsidiary. Certain payments from our PRC subsidiary to us are subject to PRC taxes, such as withholding income tax. In addition, regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends of a PRC company only out of accumulated distributable after-tax profits as determined in accordance with its articles of association and the accounting standards and regulations in China. Our PRC subsidiary is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards every year to a statutory reserve fund until the aggregate amount of such reserve fund reaches 50% of the registered capital of such subsidiary. Such statutory reserve fund is not distributable as loans, advances or cash dividends. The reserve fund can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to the company’s parent in the form of loans, advances or dividends. See “Risk Factors—We may rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC subsidiary to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2013 presented on:

 

   

an actual basis; and

 

   

as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the redesignation of all of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering into Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, (ii) the issuance and sales of US$20 million convertible note to Sequoia in October 2013, (iii) the automatic conversion of the convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia into Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, based on a conversion price of US$0.96 per ordinary share, which, pursuant to the convertible note, equals to 80% of the public offering price of our ADSs adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio and based on an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, (iv) the issuance and sale of 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in a concurrent private placement at an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS on a per ordinary share basis, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, and (v) the issuance and sale of the Class A ordinary shares in the form of 5,786,000 ADSs offered hereby at an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering and assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option and no other change to the number of ADSs sold by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The as adjusted information below is illustrative only and our capitalization following the closing of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    As of September 30, 2013  
    Actual     As adjusted  
    RMB     US$     RMB     US$  
    (in thousands)  

Convertible note

                           

Shareholders’ equity:

       

Ordinary shares, US$0.00005 par value per share, 931,878,540 shares authorized; 228,768,220 shares issued and outstanding

    84        14                 

Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, 700,000,000 shares authorized; 57,860,000 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

                  18        3   

Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized; 262,101,553 shares issued and outstanding on a pro forma as adjusted basis

                  94        15   

Additional paid-in capital ( 1 )

    258,802        42,288        875,497        143,055   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    17,284        2,824        17,284        2,824   

Accumulated deficit

    (253,875     (41,484     (284,475     (46,483
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

    22,295        3,642        608,418        99,414   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization ( 1 )

    22,295        3,642        608,418        99,414   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total equity and total capitalization by US$5.4 million.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our ADSs, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the public offering price per ADS and our net tangible book value per ADS after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.

Our net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013 was US$3.1 million, or US$0.01 per ordinary share, and US$0.13 per ADS. Net tangible book value per ordinary share is determined by dividing our net tangible book value by the number of outstanding ordinary shares. Our net tangible book value is determined by subtracting the value of our acquired net intangible assets, deferred initial public offering costs and total liabilities from our total assets. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share from the assumed public offering price per ordinary share.

Without taking into account any other changes in such net tangible book value after September 30, 2013, other than to give effect to (i) the redesignation of all of our outstanding ordinary shares immediately prior to this offering into Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, (ii) the issuance and sales of US$20 million convertible note to Sequoia in October 2013, (iii) the automatic conversion of the convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia into Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering, based on a conversion price of US$0.96 per ordinary share, which, pursuant to the convertible note, equals to 80% of the public offering price of our ADSs adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio and based on an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range shown on the front cover of this prospectus, (iv) the issuance and sale of 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in connection with a concurrent private placement at an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS on a per ordinary share basis, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price shown on the front cover of this prospectus, and (v) the issuance and sale of the 5,786,000 ADSs offered in this offering at an assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated public offering price range as set forth on the cover of this prospectus, with estimated net proceeds of US$60.8 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses in connection with this offering, our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013 would have been US$98.8 million, US$0.31 per outstanding ordinary share, including ordinary shares represented by our outstanding ADSs, and US$3.09 per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of US$0.30 per ordinary share, or US$2.96 per ADS, to existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of US$0.89 per ordinary share, or US$8.9 per ADS, to new investors in this offering. The following table illustrates such per ordinary share dilution:

 

Assumed public offering price per Class A ordinary share

   US$ 1.20   

Net tangible book value per ordinary share as of September 30, 2013

   US$ 0.01   

Increase in net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to the sales and conversion of convertible note into ordinary shares

   US$ 0.08   

Increase in net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to price paid by Sequoia for the issuance of 12,500,000 ordinary shares to Sequoia at the midpoint of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS with net proceeds of US$15 million

   US$ 0.06   

Increase in net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to price paid by new investors

   US$ 0.16   

Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after the offering

   US$ 0.31   

Dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in the offering

   US$ 0.89   

Dilution in net tangible book value per ADS to new investors in the offering

   US$ 8.90   

A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by US$5.4 million, the pro

 

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forma net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS after giving effect to this offering, the concurrent private placement and the automatic conversion by US$0.02 per ordinary share and US$0.19 per ADS and the dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share and per ADS to new investors in this offering by US$0.08 per Class A ordinary share and US$0.80 per ADS, assuming (i) no change to the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, (ii) the issuance of Class B ordinary shares by us to Sequoia in connection with the conversion of the convertible note and the concurrent private placement, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of the offering. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the closing of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

The following table summarizes on a pro forma basis the differences as of September 30, 2013 between the existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares represented by ADSs purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of this offering. The information in the following table is illustrative only and the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share equivalent and per ADS equivalent is subject to adjustment based on the actual public offering price of our ADSs and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

    

 

Ordinary Shares Purchased

    Total Consideration     Average
Price per
Ordinary
Share
Equivalent
     Average
Price per
ADS
Equivalent
 
           Number              Percent         Amount      Percent       

Existing shareholders

     228,768,220         71   US$ 27,177,311         22   US$ 0.12       US$ 1.19   

New investors*

     91,193,333         29   US$ 95,772,000         78   US$ 1.05       US$ 10.50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total

     319,961,553         100.0   US$ 122,949,311         100.0   US$ 0.38       US$ 3.84   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

* Includes (i) 20,833,333 ordinary shares issuable upon the automatic conversion of our US$20 million convertible notes, which were issued and sold to Sequoia in October 2013, immediately upon the completion of this offering, and (ii) 12,500,000 ordinary shares issuable in the concurrent private placement to Sequoia.

A US$1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS would increase (decrease) total consideration paid by new investors, total consideration paid by all shareholders and the average price per ADS paid by all shareholders by US$5.4 million, US$5.4 million and US$0.20, respectively, assuming (i) no change in the number of ADSs sold by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, (ii) the issuance of Class B ordinary shares by us to Sequoia in connection with the conversion of the convertible note and the concurrent private placement and without deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses of this offering.

 

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EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and all of our service fees are denominated in Renminbi. This prospectus contains translations of Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations of the RMB into U.S. dollars were made at RMB6.1200 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate on September 30, 2013, as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. We make no representation that the RMB or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On November 15, 2013 the noon buying rate was RMB6.0920 to US$1.00.

The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 

     Exchange Rate  

Period

   Period End      Average (l)      Low      High  
     (RMB per US$1.00)  

2008

     6.8225         6.9193         7.2946         6.7800   

2009

     6.8259         6.8295         6.8470         6.8176   

2010

     6.6000         6.7603         6.8330         6.6000   

2011

     6.2939         6.4630         6.6364         6.2939   

2012

     6.2301         6.2990         6.3879         6.2221   

2013

           

April

     6.1647         6.1861         6.2078         6.1647   

May

     6.1340         6.1416        
6.1665
  
     6.1213   

June

    
6.1374
  
    
6.1342
  
    
6.1488
  
    
6.1248
  

July

    
6.1284
  
    
6.1343
  
    
6.1408
  
    
6.1284
  

August

    
6.1193
  
    
6.1213
  
    
6.1302
  
    
6.1145
  

September

     6.1200         6.1198         6.1213         6.1178   

October

     6.0943         6.1032         6.1209         6.0815   

November (through November 15)

     6.0920         6.0936         6.0993         6.0906   

 

Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release

 

(1) Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.

 

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ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

We are registered under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability. We are registered in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted company, such as political and economic stability, an effective judicial system, a favorable tax system, the absence of foreign exchange control or currency restrictions and the availability of professional and support services. The court system in the Cayman Islands is effective because litigation practice and procedure are based on English law principles of civil procedure. The Grand Court of the Cayman Islands is presided over by the Chief Justice and Grand Court judges permanently residing in the islands. Appeals lie from the Grand Court to the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal, which sits in the Grand Cayman, and from there to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England. However, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and provides protections for investors to a significantly lesser extent. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the federal courts of the United States.

A substantial portion of our assets are located in China. In addition, most of our directors and officers are residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons, or to enforce against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in United States courts judgments obtained in United States courts based on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws against us, our officers and directors.

We have appointed Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc. as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States or any action brought against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New York.

Maples and Calder, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and Han Kun Law Offices, our counsel as to PRC law, have advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would, respectively, (1) recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States, or (2) entertain original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or the PRC against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States.

Maples and Calder has further advised us that a final and conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar fiscal or revenue obligations and which was neither obtained in a manner nor is of a kind enforcement of which is contrary to natural justice or the public policy of the Cayman Islands, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in the courts of the Cayman Islands. However, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely to enforce a punitive judgment of a United States court predicated upon the liabilities provision of the federal securities laws in the United States without retrial on the merits if such judgment gives rise to obligations to make payments that may be regarded as fines, penalties or similar charges. Neither the United States or the PRC has a treaty with the Cayman Islands providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments of courts of the United States or the PRC, respectively.

Han Kun Law Offices has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedure Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedure Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on principles of reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment

 

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violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Furthermore, it will be difficult for the United States shareholders to originate actions against us in China based upon PRC laws due to our identity as a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. It is also difficult for United States shareholders, by virtue only of holding our ADSs or ordinary shares, to establish a connection to the PRC as required by the PRC Civil Procedures Law in order for a PRC court to have jurisdiction.

 

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OUR HISTORY AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Our History

We began operations in the online lottery service industry in 2001 through one of our consolidated affiliated entities, E-Sun Network, in Shenzhen, China. In May 2006, E-Sun Network established its wholly owned subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Network, which became our major operation entity for our online lottery services business. To enable us to raise equity capital from investors outside of China, we set up a holding company structure by establishing our current Cayman Islands holding company, 500.com Limited, on April 20, 2007 under the name Fine Success Limited, which was changed to 500wan.com Limited on May 9, 2011 and further changed to our current name on October 9, 2013. In June 2007, we established our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer. We established two PRC consolidated affiliated entities in December 2008, Youlanguang Technology, and Guangtiandi Technology. In February and March 2011, we established Fine Brand Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, and 500wan HK Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong, respectively, as our wholly owned subsidiaries. We transferred all the equity interests held by 500.com Limited in E-Sun Sky Computer to 500wan HK Limited in May 2011.

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus. See “—Our Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities” for more information on the operations of our corporate entities.

 

LOGO

 

(1) E-Sun Network is approximately 18.8% owned by Jiepin Fu, our director and beneficial owner, approximately 23.8% owned by Ping Yuan, our beneficial owner and wife of our founder, chairman and CEO, Man San Law, approximately 14.3% owned by He Li, brother of our director, Qi Li, 11.0% owned by Xue Li, sister of our director, Qi Li, approximately 14.9% owned by Ying Zou, our employee and beneficial owner, approximately 17.1% owned by Bo Zou, our beneficial owner and employee. All shareholders of E-Sun Network are parties to the contractual arrangements. Our online lottery services were primarily provided through E-Sun Sky Network, the wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network.

 

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(2) Youlanguang Technology is 50% owned by Jin Li and 50% owned by Jing Zhang, both of whom are our employees and parties to the contractual arrangements. Youlanguang Technology provide services to E-Sun Sky Network relating to the management of our users’ registration information and accounts.

 

(3) Guangtiandi Technology is 50% owned by Ying Wang and 50% owned by Liangdong Yuan, both of whom are our employees and parties to the contractual arrangements described below. Guangtiandi Technology provides services to E-Sun Sky Network relating to the implementation of the technical interface with the provincial lottery administration centers and the printing of the lottery tickets.

Our Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities

As of the date of this prospectus, we conduct our operations through the following subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities:

Non-PRC Subsidiaries

 

   

Fine Brand Limited, our wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, was established on February 9, 2011.

 

   

500wan HK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fine Brand Limited, was incorporated in Hong Kong on March 8, 2011.

PRC Subsidiary and Consolidated Affiliated Entities

We currently conduct substantially all of our operations through our PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities:

 

   

E-Sun Sky Computer, our wholly owned subsidiary in the PRC, established on June 18, 2007, provides technical and business support as well as consulting services to our consolidated affiliated entities, including platform and software support and technical services to E-Sun Sky Network, the operating company of our online lottery service platform.

 

   

E-Sun Network, our consolidated affiliated entity, established on December 7, 1999, is the holding company of E-Sun Sky Network, the main operating company of our online lottery service business.

 

   

E-Sun Sky Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network, established on May 22, 2006, is the main operating company for our online lottery service business. E-Sun Sky Network primarily provides online lottery services through our online operation platforms, including our operating websites, namely, www.500wan.com and www.500.com. Through cooperation with the relevant lottery administration centers, E-Sun Sky Network provides online lottery sales services, develops online lottery markets and constructs online distribution channels and network for sports lottery products.

 

   

Youlanguang Technology, our consolidated affiliated entity, established on December 16, 2008, is the management service provider of our online lottery service platform. Youlanguang Technology used to provide services to E-Sun Sky Network in user account registration and information management as well as lottery prize collection and account management. We may adjust the services provided by Youlanguang Technology according to the development of our business.

 

   

Guangtiandi Technology, our consolidated affiliated entity, established on December 16, 2008, provides technical support to our online lottery service platform, including services to E-Sun Sky Network relating to the construction of ticket printing system, and the implementation and management of the technical interface with the relevant lottery administration centers.

Our PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities have entered into a series of contractual arrangements. See “—Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities.”

Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities

PRC laws and regulations currently restrict foreign ownership in companies providing value-added telecommunications services and do not allow foreign investments in the lottery industry. Because we are a

 

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Cayman Islands company, we are classified as a foreign enterprise under PRC laws and regulations and our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, is a foreign-invested enterprise. To comply with PRC laws and regulations, we conduct our operations in China through a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders.

In September 2007, our PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer entered into a set of control agreements with E-Sun Sky Network and its shareholders, which include the Exclusive Technology Consultation and Service Agreement, the Business Operation Agreement, the Equity Interest Disposal Agreement, the Equity Pledge Agreement and the Power of Attorney, or the control agreements. The control agreements, including the Business Operation Agreement, the Equity Interest Disposal Agreement and the Equity Pledge Agreement, were further amended in January 2010 and December 2010, respectively.

Following the establishment of Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology in December 2008, E-Sun Computer entered into an identical set of control agreements with each of Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology and their respective shareholders. The control agreements between E-Sun Sky Computer and Youlanguang Technology and its shareholders, including the Business Operation Agreement, the Equity Interest Disposal Agreement and the Equity Pledge Agreement, were further amended in August 2009 and September 2010. The control agreements between E-Sun Sky Computer and Guangtiandi Technology and its shareholders, including the Business Operation Agreement, the Equity Interest Disposal Agreement and the Equity Pledge Agreement, were amended in August 2009.

We have been relying and expect to continue to rely on our consolidated affiliated entities to operate our online lottery service business in China as long as PRC laws and regulations do not allow us to directly operate such business in China. We revised our contractual arrangements with the consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders on June 1, 2011, and further amended our contractual arrangements with E-Sun Network and Guangtiandi Technology on May 2, 2013. These revised contractual arrangements continue to enable us to:

 

   

exercise effective control over E-Sun Network, Youlanguang Technology, and Guangtiandi Technology;

 

   

receive substantially all of the economic benefits and assume substantially all the losses of E-Sun Network, E-Sun Sky Network, Youlanguang Technology, and Guangtiandi Technology in consideration for the services provided by E-Sun Sky Computer, our PRC subsidiary;

 

   

have an exclusive option to purchase all of the equity interest in E-Sun Network, Youlanguang Technology, and Guangtiandi Technology to the extent permitted under PRC law; and

 

   

provide appropriate funds to the consolidated affiliated entities through E-Sun Sky Computer for major losses resulting from their business and operations if any are incurred.

Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, we consolidate E-Sun Network, Youlanguang Technology, and Guangtiandi Technology as our “variable interest entities” in our consolidated financial statements.

Our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and their shareholders are described in further detail as follows:

Agreements that Transfer Economic Benefits to Us

Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreements .    The exclusive business cooperation agreements are entered into by E-Sun Sky Computer and each of our consolidated affiliated entities. Pursuant to these exclusive business cooperation agreements, E-Sun Sky Computer provides technical services, business consultations, marketing consultancy, product research and development to the affiliated consolidated entities, in exchange for a service fee. The service fee is payable at such time as agreed between E-Sun Sky Computer and the relevant consolidated affiliated entity and approved by the board of such consolidated affiliated entity. The term of each exclusive business cooperation agreement is 10 years from the effective date.

 

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Agreements that Provide Us with Effective Control

Exclusive Option Agreement.     The exclusive option agreements are entered into by E-Sun Sky Computer and the consolidated affiliated entities and each of their respective shareholders. Pursuant to these exclusive option agreements, the shareholders irrevocably granted E-Sun Sky Computer or its designated representative exclusive options to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or part of their equity interest in the consolidated affiliated entities. E-Sun Sky Computer or its designated representative has sole discretion as to when to exercise these options, whether in part or in full. These agreements are for terms of 10 years and are renewable at E-Sun Sky Computer’s discretion.

In November 2012, E-Sun Sky Computer, the consolidated affiliated entities (excluding E-Sun Sky Network) and each of their respective shareholders entered into certain supplementary agreements to exclusive option agreements, pursuant to which the shareholders shall, in the manner permitted by PRC laws, transfer all the capital and assets (including but not limited to dividends, bonuses or any other rights and interests) they gain from the consolidated affiliated entities to E-Sun Sky Computer unconditionally per its request.

Equity Interests Pledge Agreements.     The equity interests pledge agreements are entered into by E-Sun Sky Computer and the consolidated affiliated entities and each of their respective shareholders. Pursuant to these equity interests pledge agreements, the shareholders have pledged their respective equity interests in the relevant consolidated affiliated entity to E-Sun Sky Computer to secure the obligations of such consolidated affiliated entity under its exclusive business cooperation agreement with E-Sun Sky Computer. In addition, except for the performance of the exclusive option agreement executed by them, the shareholders have agreed not to transfer, place or permit the existence of any security interest or other encumbrance on their respective equity interest, without the prior written consent of E-Sun Sky Computer.

Irrevocable Power of Attorney.     Each shareholder of the consolidated affiliated entities executed an irrevocable power of attorney appointing E-Sun Sky Computer as his or her representative to attend shareholders’ meetings of the consolidated affiliated entities and to vote on his or her behalf on all matters requiring shareholder approval, including but not limited to, the sale, transfer, pledge, or disposition of his or her shareholding in the consolidated affiliated entities. E-Sun Sky Computer is entitled to re-authorize or assign the rights granted to it under the power of attorney to any other person or entity at its own discretion. The power of attorney remains valid and irrevocable from the date of its execution, so long as each shareholder remains the shareholder of the consolidated affiliated entities.

Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. and Xiaojun Xu, two former shareholders of E-Sun Network, jointly entered into a share transfer agreement with Bo Zou on November 15, 2012, pursuant to which Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. and Xiaojun Xu transfer all the equity interest they respectively held in E-Sun Network to Bo Zou. E-Sun Network completed registration with relevant branch of SAIC for the aforementioned share transfer on December 5, 2012. Shijie Zhang, a former shareholders of Guangtiandi Technology, entered into a share transfer agreement with Liangdong Yuan on October 31, 2012, pursuant to which Shijie Zhang transfers all the equity interest he held in Guangtiandi Technology to Liangdong Yuan. Guangtiandi Technology completed registration with relevant branch of SAIC for the aforementioned share transfer on March 27, 2013. Accordingly, we updated certain control agreements on May 2, 2013 entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Bo Zou, including the Equity Interests Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement, and its supplementary agreement to replace those entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network, Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. and Xiaojun Xu respectively. We also updated the Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Bo Zou on May 2, 2013 to replace those executed by Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. and Xiaojun Xu respectively. In addition, we superseded agreements entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Shijie Zhang, including the Equity Interests Pledge Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and its supplementary agreement with agreements entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Liangdong Yuan respectively on May 2, 2013. We also superseded the Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Shijie Zhang with the Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Liangdong Yuan on May 2, 2013. Moreover, in May 2013, Bo Zou executed a confirmation letter, under which

 

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he agrees to succeed to and assume any and all the rights and obligations of Xiaojun Xu and Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. under the aforementioned supplementary agreements immediately after the share transfer among Bo Zou, Xiaojun Xu and Guangzhou Shu Lian Information Investment Co., Ltd. completed and Bo Zou was registered as E-Sun Network’s shareholder. On the same date, Liangdong Yuan executed an identical confirmation letter, pursuant to which Liangdong Yuan agrees to succeed to and assume any and all the rights and obligations of Shijie Zhang under the aforementioned supplementary agreements immediately after the share transfer between Liangdong Yuan and Shijie Zhang completed and Liangdong Yuan was registered as Guangtiandi Technology’s shareholder.

We have been advised by our PRC legal counsel, Han Kun Law Offices, that the structure for operating our business in China (including our corporate structure and our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities) complies, and immediately after completion of this offering will continue to comply, with all applicable PRC laws, rules and regulations, and does not violate any applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations. However, there are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws, rules and regulations that are relevant to our business operations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not take a view that is contrary to the opinion of our PRC legal counsel. Our PRC legal counsel has further advised us that if a PRC government authority determines that our corporate structure, the contractual arrangements or the reorganization to establish our current corporate structure violates any applicable PRC laws, rules or regulations, the contractual arrangements may become invalid or unenforceable, and we could be subject to severe penalties and required to obtain additional governmental approvals from the PRC regulatory authorities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure—If the PRC government finds that the agreements that establish the structure for operating our businesses in China do not comply with PRC governmental restrictions on foreign investment in the Internet and the lottery business, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, may be required in connection with this offering. Any requirement to obtain prior CSRC approval could delay, or create uncertainties regarding, this offering, and our failure to obtain this approval, if required, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, reputation and trading price of our ADSs.”

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data for the periods and as of the dates indicated are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Our selected consolidated financial data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our selected consolidated financial data for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 and 2010 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.

Our selected consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2013 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial information on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for the periods presented.

 

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     Year ended December 31,     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2012     2013     2013  
     RMB     RMB     RMB          RMB               US$          RMB     RMB     US$  

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Data

                
     (in thousands, except for per share data)  

Net Revenues

     82,595        157,378        232,332        171,527        28,027        130,736        163,411        26,701   

Operating expenses:

                

Cost of services

     (15,969     (22,052     (24,425     (18,476     (3,019     (13,922     (19,564     (3,197

Sales and marketing

     (3,661     (14,252     (52,471     (45,794     (7,483     (36,322     (61,201     (10,000

General and administrative

     (20,780     (34,255     (101,996     (57,784     (9,442     (39,899     (46,517     (7,601

Service development expenses

     (6,757     (9,299     (19,566     (26,571     (4,342     (17,673     (18,924     (3,092

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

                          (6,404     (1,046     (6,404              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (47,167     (79,858     (198,458     (155,029     (25,332     (114,220     (146,206     (23,890

Other operating income

     2,999        4,667        6,455        4,193        685        4,139        11,371        1,858   

Government grant

                   1,778        2,242        366        2,203        139        23   

Other operating expenses

     (2     (537     (296     (1,821     (298     (1,582     (2,647     (433
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     38,425        81,650        41,811        21,112        3,448        21,276        26,068        4,259   

Interest income

     259        102        243        1,132        185        813        251        41   

Interest expense

                                               (430     (70
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

     38,684        81,752        42,054        22,244        3,633        22,089        25,889        4,230   

Income tax expenses

     (13,177     (43,463     (28,497     (18,001     (2,940     (11,631     (5,291     (865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     25,507        38,289        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive income (loss):

                

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     164        70        (224     58        9        6        1,296        212   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     25,671        38,359        13,333        4,301        702        10,464        21,894        3,577   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to net income attributable to ordinary shareholders:

                

Net income

     25,507        38,289        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   

Accretion of Series A contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

     (11,420     (190                                          

Repurchase of Series B and B-1 contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

            24,392                                             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

     14,087        62,491        13,557        4,243        693        10,458        20,598        3,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

                

Basic

     0.06        0.27        0.06        0.02               0.05        0.09        0.01   

Diluted

     0.06        0.16        0.06        0.02               0.04        0.08        0.01   

Dividend declared per ordinary share

            0.69               0.39        0.06                        

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share (1)

                

Basic

           (0.10  

 

 

 

(0.02

 

      0.08        0.01   

Diluted

           (0.10  

 

 

 

(0.02

 

      0.07        0.01   

Non-GAAP financial data (2)

                

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) (3)

     34,474        73,852        85,193        29,866        4,880        27,928        29,508        4,821   

 

(1)

The pro forma earnings (loss) per share for the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is computed assuming the following transactions were consummated on January 1, 2012, (i) the issuance of 11,677,151 Class A ordinary shares at the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share to pay for RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, (ii) the issuance of 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares from the automatic conversion of the US$20 million convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia on October 20, 2013 upon completion of this offering, based on the assumed conversion price of US$0.96 per ordinary share, equaling to 80% of the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share, (iii) the recognition of the interest expense of the convertible note and the change in fair value of the embedded derivative relating to the convertible note issued and sold to Sequoia in the aggregate amount of US$5 million in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, and (iv) the issuance and sale of

 

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  12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in a concurrent private placement at the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per ordinary share, and is calculated as follows:

 

     For the year ended     For the nine months ended  
     December 31,
2012
    December 31,
2012
    September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB     US$     RMB      US$  
     (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)  

Numerator:

         

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings (loss) per share—basic and diluted

     4,243        693        20,598         3,365   

Pro-forma effect of:

         

Interest expense and change in fair value of the embedded derivative

     (30,600     (5,000               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings (loss) per share—basic and diluted

     (26,357     (4,307     20,598         3,365   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

         

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per share

     229,374,777        229,374,777        228,768,220         228,768,220   

Pro forma effect of:

         

Issuance of 11,677,151 ordinary shares to pay for RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012

     11,677,151        11,677,151        11,677,151         11,677,151   

Issuance of 20,833,333 ordinary shares from the automatic conversion of the convertible note

     20,833,333        20,833,333        20,833,333         20,833,333   

Issuance of 12,500,000 ordinary shares in a concurrent private placement

     12,500,000        12,500,000        12,500,000         12,500,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per share

     274,385,261        274,385,261        273,778,704         273,778,704   

Share options

             17,536,696         17,536,696   

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share

     274,385,261        274,385,261        291,315,400         291,315,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma earnings (loss) per share:

         

Basic

     (0.10     (0.02     0.08         0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     (0.10     (0.02     0.07         0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  * The dilutive effects of employee share options granted were excluded from the computation of 2012 diluted loss per share because their effects would have been anti-dilutive.

 

(2) As a supplement to net income, we use the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income which is U.S. GAAP net income as adjusted to exclude share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities. This non-GAAP financial measure is provided as additional information to help our investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and prospects for the future. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in addition to or as a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP net income. In addition, our definition of adjusted net income may be different from the definition of such term used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

 

 

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(3) We present adjusted net income (non-GAAP) excluding share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis difference from our consolidated affiliated entities. The following table reconciled our adjusted net income (non-GAAP) in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 to the net income calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

     Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended September 30,
 
     2009      2010      2011      2012      2012      2013  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
     (in thousands)  

Net income

     25,507         38,289         13,557         4,243         693         10,458         20,598         3,365   

Adjustment for share-based compensation

                     50,154         13,704         2,239         11,000         3,021         494   

Adjustment for deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences

     8,967         35,563         21,482         11,919         1,948         6,470         5,889         962   

Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)

     34,474         73,852         85,193         29,866         4,880         27,928         29,508         4,821   

 

     As of December 31,      As of
September 30,
 
     2009      2010      2011      2012      2013  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      US$  
    

(in thousands)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Total current assets

     178,980         206,534         308,523         329,821         53,893         417,225         68,174   

Total assets

     190,703         224,251         337,258         379,343         61,984         465,063         75,990   

Total current liabilities

     37,272         155,520         182,437         282,016         46,081         338,163         55,255   

Total liabilities

     58,418         213,389         262,909         381,963         62,412         442,768         72,348   

Contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

     186,059                                                   

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     (53,774      10,862         74,349         (2,620      (428      22,295         3,642   

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     190,703         224,251         337,258         379,343         61,984         465,063         75,990   

The following tables set forth our user information and their purchase amounts during the indicated periods:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
         2009             2010         2011          2012          2013  
    

(in thousands)

 

Active Accounts (1) :

               

Newly Registered Accounts (2)

     525           968        1,287         430         489   

Existing Accounts (3)

     156           418           606         518         295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     681        1,386        1,893         948         784   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       Year ended December 31,      Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
         2009             2010         2011          2012          2013  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     

RMB

     US$     

RMB

    

US$

 
     (in thousands)  

Purchase Amount:

                  

Newly Registered Accounts (2)

     490,325        830,857        1,026,761         374,005         60,939         619,303         101,193   

Existing Accounts (3)

     467,105        964,662        1,489,472         1,299,493         211,733         1,356,182         221,598   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     957,430        1,795,519        2,516,233         1,673,498         272,672         1,975,485         322,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Defined as registered accounts which made at least one purchase during the year or the period.

 

(2) Defined as accounts registered during the year or the period.

 

(3) Defined as accounts registered prior to the year or the period.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the sections entitled “Summary Consolidated Financial and Operating Data” and “Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

We are a leading online sports lottery service provider in China, with the largest market share in the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the second largest market share in 2012 in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products in the six months ended June 30, 2013, according to the iResearch Report. We act as an aggregator and processor of lottery purchase orders from our registered user accounts and currently derive substantially all of our revenues from service fees paid to us by provincial sports lottery administration centers for the purchase orders of sports lottery products that we direct to such centers. We offer a comprehensive and integrated suite of online lottery services, information, user tools and virtual community venues to our users. We were among the first companies to provide online lottery services in China, and we are one of the two entities that are authorized by the MOF to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center, the government authority in charge of the issuance and sale of sports lottery products in China.

Prior to 2013, we provided online sales services for, and generated service fees from, both sports and welfare lottery product. During the voluntary suspension from March to November 2012, we continued to provide lottery sales services via our mobile applications and online platform via our mobile applications to mobile users and via our online platform to a limited number of loyal customers as a means of customer maintenance. Approximately 78.5% of our service fees during the voluntary suspension period were generated from our mobile applications. We resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012 after we obtained the relevant approval for such lottery products from the MOF. Simultaneously, we ceased to provide sales services for welfare lottery products.

Our net revenues were RMB157.4 million, RMB232.3 million and RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 47.6% increase from 2010 to 2011 and a 26.2% decrease from 2011 to 2012, respectively. The majority of our service fees were generated from sports lottery products, which accounted for 76.9%, 78.7% and 86.0% of our total service fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The increases in percentages of revenue contribution from sports lottery products were results of our efforts to promote the sales of such products during the periods. Our net income was RMB38.3 million, RMB13.6 million and RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 64.5% decrease from 2010 to 2011 and a 69.1% decrease from 2011 to 2012. Our net income in 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by share-based compensation expenses of RMB50.2 million and RMB13.7 million (US$2.2 million), respectively. In addition, our net income in 2010, 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by deferred tax expenses relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities of RMB35.6 million and RMB21.5 million and RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million), respectively. Our service fees increased by 49.3% from RMB142.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB212.2 million (US$34.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. All of our service fees in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were generated from sports lottery products. Our net revenues increased by 25.0% from RMB130.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB163.4 million (US$26.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Our net income increased by 96.2% from RMB10.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB20.6 million (US$3.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

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Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

There are a number of factors that affect our results of operations, including:

 

   

continued growth in China’s economy and in the PRC lottery market in general

 

   

growth in China’s Internet, e-commerce and online lottery industry

 

   

number of registered and active accounts

 

   

our ability to implement our strategies and enter into and maintain service agreements with provincial lottery administration centers

 

   

PRC regulations affecting the Internet and online lottery industries

Continued growth in China’s economy and in the PRC lottery market in general

We conduct all of our business and operations in China. Accordingly, our results of operations have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by the general performance of China’s economy. Since the inception of our business, we have benefited significantly from overall economic growth in China. The lottery market in China has experienced higher growth rates compared with the growth rates of China’s economy in recent years. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, from 2000 to 2012, China’s GDP grew from RMB9.9 trillion to RMB51.9 trillion (US$8.5 trillion), while in the same period the total lottery sales amount grew from RMB18 billion to RMB261.5 billion (US$42.6 billion) according to the MOF, representing a growth of more than 10 times. Although there is no assurance that the lottery market in China will continue to grow faster than China’s GDP, as a leading online lottery service provider, our financial results have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by the performance of the lottery market in China. In addition, introduction of new lottery products by lottery administration centers will enable us to provide new services to our users and as a result increase our revenue.

Growth in China’s Internet, e-commerce and online lottery industry

We are an online service provider. As such, our results of operations are heavily dependent on the successful and continued development of China’s Internet, e-commerce and online lottery sectors. According to the iResearch Report, the Internet users in China grew from 457.3 million in 2010 to 513.1 million in 2011. The Internet has emerged as an increasingly attractive and cost-effective lottery distribution channel in China, especially as the number of Internet users, disposable income and network infrastructure in China has increased. According to the iResearch Report, the percentage of online lottery purchasers to the number of Internet users also grew from 1.1% in 2010 to 2.7% in 2012. As a result of increasing Internet penetration and usage in China, we anticipate demand for online lottery services in China will continue to grow. In addition, the continued development and improvement of the online payment system will also benefit the growth of the online lottery industry.

Number of registered and active accounts

Our online lottery services depend on our ability to maintain and expand our highly engaged user base. Active accounts as of the year end are registered accounts which had at least one purchase order during the year. The growth of number of active accounts is driven by our ability to continue to, among other things, enhance recognition of our brand, increase types of lottery products we service and offer high-quality services to our users. From 2010 to 2011, the number of our registered accounts and active accounts have increased significantly. Our user active level in 2012 was adversely affected by the voluntary suspension. We had 8.8 million, 13.8 million, 16.6 million and 18.4 million total registered accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Among total registered accounts, 1.4 million, 1.9 million, 0.9 million and 0.8 million were active accounts in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Since we resumed online sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012, we have experienced a recovery of our user activity level. The purchase amount of our users

 

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was RMB540.0 million, RMB699.9 million and RMB735.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 63.8%, 29.6% and 5.1% increase from their respective preceding quarters. Our number of active accounts was approximately 297,000, 389,000 and 374,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 6.0% and 5.3% increase and a 3.9% decrease from their respective preceding quarters. As the Chinese online lottery industry continues to grow, we expect further expansion of our user base in the near future.

Our ability to implement our strategies and maintain service agreements with provincial lottery administration centers

We currently derive substantially all our net revenues from service fees paid to us by the provincial lottery administration centers for orders we direct to such centers. We have established mutually beneficial partnerships with provincial lottery administration centers, such as Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center with which we have ongoing service agreement that is effective until 2017. We have been strengthening our partnerships with provincial lottery administration centers in recent years to implement our strategy to promote sales of sports match lottery products, as this particular type of lottery products are most suitable to be purchased online. The chances of winning of sports match lottery products depend on results of the respective sports matches and as a result have greater information and knowledge requirements of lottery purchasers than other types of lottery products whose chances of winning are purely based on mathematic odds. We promote sales of sports match lottery products in a number of ways. Firstly, we provide comprehensive information on soccer and basketball matches on our websites which helps our users to make informed purchase decision. Secondly, our pool purchase service offers inexperienced users a chance to follow more experienced users in choosing sports match lottery products to enhance their chances of winning. Thirdly, our online user platform offers our users a forum to discuss sports matches and fosters a sense of community. As a result, service fees generated from sports match lottery products accounted for 53.4%, 57.3%, 70.2% and 85.1% of total service fees generated from lottery products in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

PRC regulations affecting the Internet and online lottery industries

The PRC government regulates the Internet and online lottery industries in China extensively. PRC laws, rules and regulations cover virtually every aspect of these industries, including entry into the industries, the scope of permissible business activities and foreign investment in the industries. The PRC government also exerts considerable direct and indirect influence over these industries by imposing industry policies and other economic measures. Many of these regulations have recently been implemented and are expected to be refined and adjusted over time. It also regulates Internet access and the distribution of news, information or other content, as well as provision of products and services, through the Internet.

The PRC laws governing the online sales of lotteries are relatively new. On September 26, 2010, the MOF issued the Interim Measures for the Administration of the Internet Sales of Lottery, which is the first comprehensive regulation governing the sales of lotteries through the Internet. This regulation allows qualified service providers to provide online lottery services once approved by the MOF. On January 18, 2012, the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports of China jointly promulgated the Implementing Rules of Regulation on Administration of Lottery which set forth, among other things, detailed requirements and qualifications for entities to obtain approval to conduct online lottery sales. From March to November 2012, we voluntarily suspended our online lottery sales services to substantially all of our customers in response to the Urgent Notice, which resulted in a decrease in our net revenues in 2012 as compared to 2011. We obtained the relevant approval to conduct online sales services for sports lottery products from the MOF in November 2012. Since the relevant rules and regulations are relatively new, our results of operations may be affected by their interpretation and implementation in the future.

Net Revenues

Our net revenues were RMB157.4 million, RMB232.3 million and RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 47.6% increase from 2010 to 2011 and a 26.2% decrease from

 

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2011 to 2012, respectively. Our net revenues were RMB130.7 million and RMB163.4 million (US$26.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing a 25.0% increase over the corresponding periods. We currently derive substantially all of our net revenues from service fees paid to us by the provincial lottery administration centers for orders we direct to such centers. The remaining of our net revenues were derived from service fees paid to us by third party aggregators for orders we direct to such aggregators, who in turn direct such orders to provincial lottery administration centers. The table below sets forth our net revenues in aggregate and derived from service fees paid to us by provincial lottery administration centers and from service fees paid to us by third-party aggregators for the periods indicated:

 

     Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2011     2012     2012     2013  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)  

Provincial lottery administration centers

     155,771        221,216        169,444        27,687        130,142        201,962        33,000   

Third party aggregators

     9,786        25,110        15,107        2,468        11,927        10,248        1,675   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total service fees

     165,557        246,326        184,551        30,155        142,069        212,210        34,675   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deductibles (1)

     (8,179     (13,994     (13,024     (2,128     (11,333     (48,799     (7,974
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenues

     157,378        232,332        171,527        28,027        130,736        163,411        26,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The table below sets forth the breakdowns of the deductibles for the periods indicated:

 

     Year ended December 31,      Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2011      2012      2012      2013  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      US$      RMB      RMB      US$  
    

(in thousands)

 

Residual payments to complete lottery pool purchases

     6,441         9,526         3,111         508         2,893         9,703         1,585   

Super VIP incentive

     1,738         4,468         1,667         272         1,594         16,616         2,715   

Promotional incentives granted to users

                     8,246         1,348         6,846         22,480         3,674   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,179         13,994         13,024         2,128         11,333         48,799         7,974   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our net revenues by lottery type for the periods indicated:

 

    Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2010     2011     2012     2012     2013  
    RMB     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %  
   

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Sports Lottery

    127,382        76.9        193,874        78.7        158,683        25,928        86.0        119,469        84.1        212,210        34,675        100   

Welfare Lottery

    38,175        23.1        52,452        21.3        25,868        4,227        14.0        22,600        15.9                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total service fees

    165,557        100        246,326        100        184,551        30,155        100        142,069        100        212,210        34,675        100   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deductibles

    (8,179       (13,994       (13,024     (2,128       (11,333       (48,799     (7,974  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net revenues

    157,378          232,332          171,527        28,027          130,736          163,411        26,701     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Service fees generated from sports lottery products accounted for 76.9%, 78.7%, 86.0% and 100% of total service fees generated from lottery products in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The increases in percentage of revenue contribution from sports lottery products from 2010 to 2012 were results of our efforts to promote the sales of sports match lottery products during the periods. After we ceased to provide sales services for welfare lottery products in November 2012, all our service fees were generated from sports lottery products.

Lottery products can also be divided into three types as set forth by the MOF, namely, sports match lottery, Lotto (including high frequency lottery) and instant lottery. Both sports lottery administration centers and welfare lottery administration centers issue Lotto and instant lottery products, while only sports lottery administration

 

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centers issue sports match lottery products. We do not provide services for any instant lottery products as they are currently only sold through traditional channels. The table below sets forth the breakdown of our net revenues by lottery type for the periods indicated. We list high frequency lottery products as a separate revenue category because of its relatively significant proportion of our net revenues.

 

    Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2010     2011     2012     2012     2013  
    RMB     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %  
    (in thousand, except for percentages)        

Sports match lottery

    88,381        53.4        141,116        57.3        129,562        21,170        70.2        96,600        68.0        180,580        29,507        85.1   

Lotto*

    39,099        23.6        58,260        23.7        35,629        5,822        19.3        29,785        21.0        8,336        1,362        3.9   

High frequency lottery

    38,077        23.0        46,950        19.0        19,360        3,163        10.5        15,684        11.0        23,294        3,806        11.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total service fees

    165,557        100        246,326        100        184,551        30,155        100       
142,069
  
    100        212,210        34,675        100   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deductibles

    (8,179       (13,994       (13,024     (2,128       (11,333       (48,799     (7,974  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net Revenues

    157,378          232,332          171,527        28,027          130,736          163,411        26,701     
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* excluding high frequency lottery

We derived the majority of our service fees from sports match lottery products, which accounted for 53.4%, 57.3%, 70.2% and 85.1% of total service fees generated from lottery products in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. We expect sales from the three types of lottery products to grow in the next few years, due to the continued growth of the online lottery market as well as introductions of new types of lottery products by lottery administration centers. In particular, we expect the growth of service fees generated from sports match lottery products to increase the fastest among the three types of lottery products, due to our continued efforts to promote sales of such lottery products. For more details, see “—Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations—Our ability to implement our strategies and maintain service agreements with provincial lottery administration centers.”

Operating Expenses

The table below sets forth our operating expenses by amount and as a percentage of our net revenues for the periods indicated:

 

    Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2010     2011     2012     2012     2013  
    RMB     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %  
   

(in thousands, except for percentages)

 

Operating Expenses:

                       

Cost of services

    22,052        14.0        24,425        10.5        18,476        3,019        10.8        13,922        10.7        19,564        3,197        12.0   

Sales and marketing

    14,252        9.1        52,471        22.6        45,794        7,483        26.7        36,322        27.8        61,201        10,000        37.4   

General and administrative

    34,255        21.8        101,996 (1)       43.9        57,784 (2)       9,442        33.7        39,899        30.5        46,517        7,601        28.5   

Service development expenses

    9,299        5.9        19,566        8.4        26,571        4,342        15.5        17,673        13.5        18,924        3,092        11.6   

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expense

                                6,404        1,046        3.7        6,404        4.9                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    79,858        50.8        198,458        85.4        155,029        25,332        90.4        114,220        87.4        146,206        23,890        89.5   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) including share-based compensation expenses of RMB47.4 million and the audit fees of RMB8.9 million for professional services rendered by our principal auditor related to this offering.
(2) including share-based compensation expenses of RMB10.9 million (US$1.8 million).

Our operating expenses consist primarily of cost of services, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and service development expenses.

 

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Cost of Services

Our cost of services is primarily related to the online lottery services we provide, and is largely directly linked to the level of our net revenues. Our cost of services as a percentage of our net revenues was 14.0%, 10.5% and 10.8% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and 10.7% and 12.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The increase in percentage from the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 2013 was primarily due to the increase in account handling expenses. As our business continues to recover and grow, we expect the absolute amount of our cost of service will continue to increase but we expect the cost of service as a percentage of our net revenues to gradually stabilize.

Our cost of services primarily consists of:

 

   

business tax , which consists of business taxes, surcharges and cultural development fees that are levied on our online lottery services, was RMB5.3 million, RMB7.6 million and RMB5.5 million (US$0.9 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB4.4 million (US$0.7 million) and RMB5.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 3.4%, 3.3%, 3.2%, 3.4% and 3.5% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

account handling expenses , which consist primarily of transaction fees payable to banks and third-party payment processors for cash transfers between our users’ accounts on our websites and their accounts with banks or third-party payment processors, were RMB4.5 million, RMB5.2 million and RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB1.9 million and RMB4.6 million (US$0.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 2.9%, 2.2%, 1.4%, 1.5% and 2.8% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

salary and benefit expenses for our lottery ticket processing staff were RMB2.6 million, RMB3.4 million and RMB3.1 million (US$0.5 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB2.1 million and RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.8%, 1.6% and 1.5% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods; and

 

   

server leasing and maintenance expenses , which consist primarily of leasing expense of servers and other equipment used in providing online services, were RMB2.8 million, RMB4.8 million and RMB4.7 million (US$0.8 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB3.5 million and RMB4.5 million (US$0.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 1.8%, 2.1%, 2.7%, 2.6% and 2.7% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods.

Sales and marketing expenses

Our sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of our net revenues were 9.1%, 22.6% and 26.7% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and 27.8% and 37.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The increase in percentage from the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 2013 was primarily due to our increased sales and marketing efforts in 2013. Going forward, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to continue to increase as we grow our business. In particular, we decided to focus on marketing and promotion of our brand in 2013 in order to recover and grow our user base and user activity level following the voluntary suspension.

Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of:

 

   

commissions to third-party Internet companies , which are the portion of service fees we pay to third-party Internet companies for purchase orders placed on our websites by users redirected from their websites. The amount of such commissions paid to third-party Internet companies for each redirected order depends on an agreed-upon allocation ratio. The commissions to third-party Internet companies were RMB10.2 million, RMB14.5 million and RMB8.1 million (US$1.3 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB6.7 million and RMB9.1 million (US$1.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 6.5%, 6.2%, 4.7%, 5.1% and 5.6% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

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salary and benefit expenses for sales and marketing staff , which were RMB1.4 million, RMB3.6 million and RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB3.0 million and RMB2.7 million (US$0.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 0.9%, 1.6%, 2.5%, 2.3% and 1.7% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

advertising expenses , which consist primarily of expenses associated with advertisements we placed on TV channels and other media, were RMB2.3 million, RMB20.8 million and RMB12.1 million (US$2.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB11.6 million and RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 1.5%, 9.0%, 7.1%, 8.8% and 11.7% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods; and

 

   

promotional event expenses , which primarily consist of expenses associated with various promotional events including our sponsorship for the CFA 500.com Star Project and Hangzhou Greentown Soccer Club, were nil, RMB5.3 million, RMB13.7 million (US$2.2 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB10.0 million and RMB13.5 million (US$2.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing nil, 2.3%, 8.0%, 7.7% and 8.3% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods.

General and administrative expenses

Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of our net revenues were 21.8%, 43.9% and 33.7% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and 30.5% and 28.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. General and administrative expenses in 2011 consisted mainly of share-based compensation expenses we incurred for shares and share options we issued to our directors, employees and consultants on April 8, 2011, for the purpose of retaining them and motivating them to serve our Company in their best efforts. For the number of options granted to our directors, employees and consultants, see note 14 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will continue to increase as we incur additional costs in growing our business and after becoming a publicly traded company, including share-based compensation expenses for management, depreciation of new property, plant and equipment purchased and costs to enhance our internal control, but we expect general and administrative expense as a percentage of our net revenues to gradually decrease.

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of:

 

   

salary and benefit expenses for our management and general administrative staff , which were RMB16.1 million, RMB21.3 million and RMB23.3 million (US$3.8 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB15.9 million and RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 10.2%, 9.2%, 13.6%, 12.2% and 11.7% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

office expenses , which consist primarily of office rental and other office administrative expenses, were RMB7.4 million, RMB13.6 million and RMB10.7 million (US$1.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB8.0 million and RMB10.1 million (US$1.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 4.7%, 5.8%, 6.2%, 6.1% and 6.5% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

travel, communication and other business expenses , which consist primarily of expenses associated with business travels, were RMB5.4 million, RMB5.7 million and RMB6.0 million (US$1.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB4.0 million and RMB6.8 million (US$1.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 3.4%, 2.4%, 3.5%, 3.1% and 4.2% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods;

 

   

third-party professional service fees , which consist primarily of professional service fees paid to third-party professionals, were RMB3.2 million, RMB11.1 million and RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB0.6 million and RMB1.5 million (US$0.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 2.0%, 4.8%, 1.4%, 0.5% and 0.9% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods; and

 

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share-based compensation expenses , which were RMB47.4 million and RMB10.9 million (US$1.8 million) in 2011 and 2012 and RMB8.8 million and RMB2.1 million (US$0.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, representing 20.4%, 6.4%, 6.7% and 1.3% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods. We did not incur any share-based compensation expenses in 2010.

Service development expenses

Our service development expenses are primarily related to our research and development activities. Service development expenses as a percentage of our net revenues were 5.9%, 8.4% and 15.5% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and 13.5% and 11.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Our service development expenses consist primarily of salary and benefit expenses for our research and development staff, which were RMB7.2 million, RMB15.5 million and RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB12.7 million and RMB14.2 million (US$2.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, representing 4.6%, 6.7%, 11.2%, 9.7% and 8.7% of our net revenues in the corresponding periods.

Other Operating Income

Our other operating income consists primarily of pool purchase prize amounts to which we are entitled from pool purchase prize distributions in respect of residual payments we make to complete lottery pool purchases. Our other operating income was RMB4.7 million, RMB6.5 million and RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB4.1 million and RMB11.4 million (US$1.9 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Government Grant

In 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we obtained grants from Shenzhen local government in an aggregate amount of RMB1.8 million, RMB2.2 million, and RMB0.1 million (US$16,000), respectively, including grants to key local Internet businesses, project development, and a reimbursement for expense incurred in connection with the proposed listing. We might obtain similar grants from time to time in the future, but there is no assurance that we will continue to obtain such grants on a regular basis.

Income Tax

Cayman Islands

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, upon payments of dividends by us to our shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

China

The EIT Law became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax, or EIT, rate to both foreign invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. Accordingly, E-Sun Sky Computer, Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology were subject to an EIT rate of 25% in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

The EIT Law provides a transition period from its effective date for the enterprises which were established before the promulgation date of the EIT Law and which were entitled to a preferential tax treatment such as a reduced tax rate or a tax holiday. According to the transitional rule, certain categories of enterprises, including the enterprises located in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone which previously enjoyed a preferential EIT rate of 15%, are eligible for a five-year transition period during which the EIT rate will be gradually increased to the uniform rate of 25%. Therefore, E-Sun Network was subject to transitional EIT rates of 22%, 24%, 25% and 25% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

E-Sun Sky Network qualifies as a “software enterprise” and was granted exemption from EIT for its first two years of operations and a reduction in half for the succeeding three years commencing from the first profit-making year. 2006 was the first year of EIT exemption for E-Sun Sky Network. In addition, E-Sun Sky Network

 

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is subject to the transition rule discussed above. As a result, E-Sun Sky Network was subject to EIT at rates of 11%, 24% and 25% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In February 2011, E-Sun Sky Network obtained the certificate of “Key Software Enterprise” and therefore was granted a preferential income tax rate of 10% for the year ended December 31, 2010. In October 2011, E-Sun Sky Network obtained the certificate of “High-tech Enterprise” and was granted a preferential income tax rate of 15% for the three years commencing from 2011. In April 2013, E-Sun Sky Network was qualified as a “national key software enterprise” and was entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 10% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012.

In March 2011, E-Sun Sky Computer became qualified as a “software enterprise” and was granted exemption from EIT for its first two years of operations commencing from its first profit-making year and a reduction in EIT rate by half for the succeeding three years.

Our tax expenses include a deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities. This deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences was RMB35.6 million and RMB21.5 million and RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and RMB6.5 million and RMB5.9 million (US$1.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences arises from (i) aggregate undistributed earnings and share capital of the consolidated affiliated entities that are available for distribution to E-Sun Sky Computer, a PRC tax resident company, and (ii) aggregate undistributed earnings of our PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, that are available for distribution to the Company, a non-PRC tax resident company. The decrease in the income tax expense from 2010 to 2012 is mainly due to the decrease in the deferred tax liabilities arising from aggregate undistributed earnings of the consolidated affiliated entities that are available for distribution to E-Sun Sky Computer. The decrease in the income tax expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is mainly due to the change of income tax rate of E-Sun Sky Network from 15% to 10%. The effect of the change in tax rate of RMB6.4 million (US$1.0 million) was recognized as a discrete event in the current period accordingly.

For 2011 and 2012, we recognized an income tax expense of RMB28.5 million and an income tax expense of RMB18.0 million (US$2.9 million), respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries that were available for distribution to the Company were considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no provision was made for income taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of those amounts to us. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities related to these earnings was not practicable. For the year ended December 31, 2012, our management reassessed the adequacy of working capital and determined that the foreign earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested. As a result, we recorded a deferred tax liability related to the aggregate undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2013, we have recognized RMB10.7 million (US$1.8 million) as an accrual for unrecognized tax positions and related interest and penalties.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of each set of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each financial reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates and assumptions is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is made, and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically could materially impact the consolidated financial statements. We believe the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The following descriptions of critical accounting policies, judgments and

 

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estimates should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues are derived principally from online lottery purchase services. We recognize revenues only when (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) the service has been rendered; (iii) the fees are fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Specifically, we recognize revenues based on the following revenue recognition principles:

Online lottery purchase services

We earn service fees for online lottery purchase services and revenues that are generated from processing lottery purchase orders from our registered users which we refer to as “service fees.” The registered users enter into certain terms and conditions when they first open their accounts with us. Lottery purchase orders are placed by users through our websites. Then we process these orders with the lottery administration centers. Prior to processing orders, users prepay all purchase amounts. Service fees that we receive from the lottery centers are based on pre-determined and negotiated service fee rates and the total amount of the processed orders. Pursuant to ASC 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations, we record service fees on a net basis because we are not the primary obligor in the arrangement, but instead we act as an agent in providing such purchase services.

Contingent service fee

We are entitled to receive additional service fees from lottery centers when the total amounts of our purchase orders reach an agreed threshold, which we refer to as “contingent service fees.” As we are the agent in providing lottery purchase services, when the agreed thresholds are reached, any contingent service fees received are recorded as net revenues. A monthly reconciliation is performed by us to determine whether such thresholds are reached. Once the agreed threshold is reached, the contingent service fee is then fixed and not subject to any adjustments.

Super VIP incentives

Certain qualified registered users, or Super VIPs, are entitled to receive incentives from us based on actual purchase amount of each transaction. As we do not receive an additional service or benefit from the Super VIP other than service fee earned from lottery administration centers by us from the transaction, the incentives are recognized as a reduction of revenue at each year end in accordance with ASC 605-50, Customer Payments and Incentives.

Lottery pool purchase service

A user may start a lottery pool on our websites. As we contribute the residual amount to the lottery pool in order to complete the lottery pool and earn service fees from the purchase made by the lottery pool, we recognize the lottery fees that we pay to the lottery centers in respect of residual amounts of lottery pools as a reduction in revenue. As our principal activity is to provide lottery purchase services to our users, we recognize the residual amount of the lottery pool we receive after distribution of the prizes as other income upon the announcement of lottery results.

Income Taxes

We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are expected to reverse. We record a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our analyses of future taxable income are subject to a wide range of variables, many of which involve estimates.

 

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Uncertainty regarding future events and changes in tax regulation could materially alter our valuation of deferred tax liabilities and assets. If we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, we would increase our valuation allowance and make a corresponding change to our earnings for the period in which we make such determination. If we later determine that we are more likely than not to realize our deferred tax assets, we would reverse the applicable portion of the previously provided valuation allowance. On January 1, 2007, we adopted ASC 740-10, Income taxes: Overall , to account for uncertainties in income taxes. There was no cumulative effect of the adoption of ASC 740-10 to beginning retained earnings. Interest and penalties arising from underpayment of income taxes are computed in accordance with the related PRC tax law. The amount of interest expense is computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between the tax position recognized and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Interest and penalties recognized in accordance with ASC 740-10 is classified in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as income tax expense.

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10, we recognize the impact of a tax position if a tax return position or future tax position is “more likely than not” to prevail based on the facts and technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than a fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Our estimated liability for unrecognized tax benefits which is included in “long-term payables” is periodically assessed for adequacy and may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax authorities, changes and developments with respect to tax audits, and expiration of the statute of limitations. The outcome for a particular audit cannot be determined with certainty prior to the conclusion of the audit and, in some cases, appeal or litigation process. The actual benefits ultimately realized may differ from our estimates. As each audit is concluded, adjustments, if any, are recorded in our financial statements. Additionally, in future periods, changes in facts, circumstances, and new information may require us to adjust the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recognized in the period in which the changes occur. In certain situations, the PRC tax authorities may challenge positions adopted in our income tax filings. In accounting for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements presented, we have made estimates based on assumptions with respect to the expectations of the outcome of the tax position we have taken. If those expectations were to change, our financial position and results of operations could be materially affected.

Share-based compensation

On March 28, 2011, our shareholders and board of directors approved the 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of options, restricted shares and other share-based awards. All options granted under the Plan shall have their exercise prices denominated in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of the Company. The board of directors has authorized under the Plan the issuance of up to 12% of our issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares from time to time, on an as-exercised and fully diluted basis, upon exercise of awards granted under the Plan. The maximum term of any issued stock option is 10 years from the grant date.

On April 8, 2011, we granted 13,864,000 stock options to a director and certain employees with an exercise price of US$0.40. For these awards, 5,506,600 options will be vested upon the first anniversary of the grant date, 5,225,800 options will be vested upon the second anniversary of the grant date, 1,565,800 options will be vested upon the third anniversary of the grant date, and 1,565,800 options will be vested upon the fourth anniversary of the grant date. On the same day, we granted 5,003,980 stock options to another director with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share, and all were vested on the grant date. On the same day, we granted 12,600,000 stock options to certain consultants with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share, and all were vested on the grant date.

Share options granted to employees and the directors are accounted for under ASC 718, Share-Based Payment . In accordance with ASC 718, we determine whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or an equity award. All grants of share options to employees and the director classified as

 

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equity awards are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. There were no liability awards granted during any of the periods stated herein. We recognize compensation expenses using the straight-line method for share options granted with graded vesting based on service conditions. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in the subsequent period if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical and future expectation of employee turnover rate and is adjusted to reflect future change in circumstances and facts, if any. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures such that expense was recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest. To the extent we revise this estimate in the future, the share-based payments could be materially impacted in the period of revision, as well as in subsequent periods.

We record share-based compensation expense for awards granted to consultants in exchange for services at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, Equity based payment to non-employees . As the share options granted to non-employees were fully vested on the grant date, the related compensation expense was fully recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on the grant date.

On June 8, 2012 (the “modification date”), the Board of Directors modified the exercise price of both vested and unvested options that were previously granted to 88 employees from US$0.4 to US$0.2. The modification was intended to provide additional incentives for these employees.

In accordance with ASC 718-20, Compensation—Stock Compensation , the effects of a modification resulted in incremental compensation cost of US$0.7 million, which was measured as the excess of the fair value of the modified award of US$3.5 million over the fair value of the original award of US$2.8 million at the modification date.

We, with the assistance of an independent valuation firm, determined the fair values of the share-based compensation options recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The binomial option pricing model is applied in determining the estimated fair value of the options granted to employees and non-employees.

The binomial model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility and the sub-optimal early exercise factor. For expected volatilities, we have made reference to historical volatilities of several comparable companies. The sub-optimal early exercise factor was estimated based on the vesting and contractual terms of the awards and management’s expectation of exercise behavior of the grantees. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on market yield of U.S. Treasury Bond in effect at the time of grant. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options granted are as follows:

 

     For the year
ended
December 31,
 
       2011         2012    

Expected volatility

     50.34     50.11

Risk-free interest rate

     3.69     1.34

Dividend yield

     0.00     0.00

Forfeiture rate

     0.00     0.00

Suboptional early exercise factor

     2        2   

Fair value of our ordinary shares

As we have been a private company with no quoted market prices for our ordinary shares, we had to make estimates of the fair value of our ordinary shares at each date of the grant of share options to our senior management. The fair value of our ordinary shares as of April 8, 2011 and June 8, 2012 are US$0.67 and US$0.46 per share, respectively. Given the absence of an active market for our ordinary shares prior to this offering, we engaged a third party appraisal firm to assist in performing contemporaneous valuations of our ordinary shares. The appraisal was performed using the retrospective method to determine the fair value of our ordinary shares as of each valuation date. Such appraisal provided us with guidelines in determining the fair value of the ordinary shares, but the determination was made by our management. The fair value of our ordinary

 

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shares was developed through the application of the income valuation technique known as the discounted cash flow method, or the DCF method. The determination of the fair value of our ordinary shares requires complex and subjective judgments to be made regarding our projected financial and operating results, our unique business risks, our operating history and prospects as of the valuation date, the liquidity of our shares such as the anticipated timing of a sale of our company or an initial public offering, which is based on the plans made by our board and management. In addition to our estimated cash flows, which were based on our business prospects and financial forecasts as of different valuation dates, the following major assumptions were used in calculating the fair value of our ordinary shares:

Weighted average cost of capital or WACC

The WACCs were determined by using the capital asset pricing model, or CAPM, a method that market participants commonly use to price securities. Under CAPM, the discount rate was estimated based on a consideration of a number of factors, including risk-free rate, country risk premium, equity risk premium, company size, the company’s state of development and company-specific factors as of the valuation date. The risks associated with achieving our forecasts were appropriately assessed in our determination of the appropriate discount rates. If different discount rates had been used, the valuations could have been significantly different.

Comparable companies : In deriving the WACCs, which are used as the discount rates under the income approach, certain publicly traded companies in the e-commerce industry were selected for reference as our guideline companies.

To reflect the operating environment in China and the general sentiment in the U.S. capital markets towards the direct marketing and customer loyalty industry, the guideline companies were selected with consideration of the following factors: (i) the comparable companies should operate the direct marketing and customer loyalty business; and (ii) the comparable companies should either have their principal operations in Asia Pacific, as we mainly operate in China, or be publicly listed in the United States, as we plan to become a public company in the United States.

Discount for lack of marketability, or DLOM

The independent third-party valuation firm applied a DLOM of 7.35% and 26.00% for the valuation as of April 8, 2011 and June 8, 2012, respectively, by taking into consideration factors such as timing of a liquidity event (such as an initial public offering) and estimated volatility of equity securities. The further the valuation date is from an expected liquidity event, the higher the put option value and thus the higher the implied DLOM. The lower DLOM is used for the valuation, the higher is the determined fair value of the ordinary shares. The DCF method involves applying appropriate discount rates to estimated cash flows that are based on earnings forecasts.

However, these fair values are inherently uncertain and highly subjective. The assumptions used in deriving the fair values are consistent with our business plan. These assumptions include: no material changes in the existing political, legal and economic conditions in China; our ability to retain competent management, key personnel and staff to support our ongoing operations; and no material deviation in market conditions from economic forecasts.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Prior to this offering, we have been a private company with limited accounting personnel and other resources to address our internal controls and procedures. In preparing our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and for 2012, two material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and a control deficiency were identified, as defined in the standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The material weaknesses identified relate to (i) insufficient personnel with U.S. GAAP expertise in the preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements; and (ii) lack of an effective independent oversight function to prevent and detect misstatements in financial statements. The control deficiency identified related to lack of written

 

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evidence of certain agreements. As a result, there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We are in the process of implementing improvements and remedial measures in response to these assessments and recommendations. We:

 

   

will appoint three additional independent directors to our board of directors and establish an audit committee, which will be effective upon closing of this offering. Our audit committee will be composed of the three independent directors and chaired by a qualified financial expert as set forth under the applicable rules of SEC;

 

   

appointed a chief risk officer with the relevant accounting expertise and adequate experience in compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

assembled a team from our finance department to be responsible for the preparation of financial statements under U.S. GAAP. We hired a reporting manager with the knowledge and experience in the preparation of financial statements to join our finance department and will continue to hire addition qualified personnel if necessary;

 

   

organized regular training sessions on U.S. GAAP for our finance department in the form of workshops, seminars and newsletters as well as requiring our finance personnel to participate in annual in-house or public U.S. GAAP training courses;

 

   

intend to set up an internal audit department or engage an outside consulting firm to review our internal control processes, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

set up a compliance team consisting of people selected from our finance, legal, operations, IT and human resources departments, which will be responsible for reviewing our policies and procedures relating to internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis and regularly reviewing and updating internal control documents; and

 

   

will establish a custody policy for the retention of key control documentation, which will be distributed to all employees and be subject to periodic compliance tests by our compliance team or internal audit department.

We have also developed a process to present related-party transactions to the audit committee for approval upon listing. We are working to implement these measures, although we cannot assure you that we will complete such implementation in a timely manner or that such measures will fully rectify the material weaknesses and control deficiencies described above.

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States that will be subject to Sarbanes-Oxley. Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and applicable rules and regulations thereunder will require that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual report on Form 20-F beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm may be required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

JOBS Act and Adoption of Accounting Standards

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” Under the JOBS Act, “emerging growth companies” are not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for up to the end of the fifth full fiscal year following the date of their initial public offerings. The

 

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JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company does not need to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards until such date that a private company is otherwise required to comply with such new or revised accounting standards. However, we have elected to “opt out” of this provision and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards as required when they are adopted for public companies. This decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

Results of Operations

The following table presents a summary of financial data from our consolidated statement of comprehensive income by amount and as a percentage of our net revenues for the periods indicated. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to predict future operating results. We believe that period-to-period comparisons of results of operations should not be relied upon as indicative of our future performance.

 

    Year ended December 31,     For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
    2010     2011     2012     2012     2013     2013  
    RMB     %     RMB     %     RMB     US$     %     RMB     RMB     US$     %  
Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income Data:
 

(in thousands, except for percentages)

       

Net Revenues

    157,378        100        232,332        100        171,527        28,027        100        130,736        163,411        26,701        100   

Operating expenses:

                     

Cost of services

    (22,052     (14.0     (24,425     (10.5     (18,476     (3,019     (10.8     (13,922     (19,564     (3,197     (12.0

Sales and marketing

    (14,252     (9.1     (52,471     (22.6     (45,794     (7,483     (26.7     (36,322     (61,201     (10,000     (37.5

General and administrative

    (34,255     (21.8     (101,996     (43.9     (57,784     (9,442     (33.7     (39,899     (46,517     (7,601     (28.5

Service development expenses

    (9,299     (5.9     (19,566     (8.4     (26,571     (4,342     (15.5     (17,673     (18,924     (3,092     (11.6

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

                                (6,404     (1,046     (3.7     (6,404                     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (79,858     (50.8     (198,458     (85.4     (155,029     (25,332     (90.4     (114,220     (146,206     (23,890     (89.6

Other operating income

    4,667        3.0        6,455        2.8        4,193        685        2.4        4,139        11,371        1,858        7.0   

Government grant

                  1,778        0.8        2,242        366        1.3        2,203        139        23        0.1   

Other operating expenses

    (537     (0.4     (296     (0.1     (1,821     (298     (1.0     (1,582     (2,647     (433     (1.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    82,650        51.8        41,811        18.1        21,112        3,448        12.3        21,276        26,068        4,259        15.9   

Interest income

    102        0.1        243        0.1        1,132        185        0.7        813        251        41        0.2   

Interest expense

                                                            (430     (70     (0.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

    81,752        51.9        42,054        18.2        22,244        3,633        13.0        22,089        25,889        4,230        15.8   

Income expense

    (43,463     (27.6     (28,497     (12.3     (18,001     (2,940     (10.5     (11,631     (5,291     (865     (3.2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    38,289        24.3        13,557        5.9        4,243        693        2.5        10,458        20,598        3,365        12.6   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2012

Net revenues

Our net revenues increased by 25.0% from RMB130.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB163.4 million (US$26.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to an increase of total service fees by 49.3% from RMB142.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB212.2 million (US$34.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of the recovery and growth of the activity level of our users since we resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012. The increase in service fees was partially offset by an increase of deductibles from RMB11.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB48.8 million (US$8.0 million) primarily due to the increase in super VIP incentive and promotional incentives granted to users.

Our total service fees generated from sports lottery products increased by 77.6% from RMB119.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB212.2 million (US$34.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of the recovery and growth of the activity level of our users, which was in turn partially attributable to our sales and marketing efforts following the resumption of online sales services

 

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for sports lottery products. Our service fees generated from welfare lottery products were RMB22.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which accounted for 15.9% of total service fees of the same period. We ceased to provide sales services for, and did not generate any service fees from, welfare lottery products in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Operating expenses

Our operating expenses increased by 28.0% from RMB114.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB146.2 million (US$23.9 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Our operating expenses consisted of the following:

Cost of Services.     Our cost of services increased by 40.5% from RMB13.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB19.6 million (US$3.2 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily due to a 142.1% increase in account handling expenses from RMB1.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB4.6 million (US$0.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to additional transaction fees we paid to banks and third-party payment processors for transferring cash from users’ accounts on our websites to their bank accounts starting in 2013.

Sales and marketing expenses.     Sales and marketing expenses increased by 68.5% from RMB36.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB61.2 million (US$10.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily due to our increased sales and marketing efforts after we obtained the approval for online sales services for sports lottery products, including:

 

   

a 65.5% increase in advertising expense from RMB11.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which was primarily due to our increased advertising, such as advertisement with CCTV and other media; and

 

   

a 35.8% increase in commissions to third-party Internet companies from RMB6.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB9.1 million (US$1.5 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which was primarily due to additional third-party Internet companies that redirected user purchase orders to our websites in 2013.

General and administrative expenses.     General and administrative expenses increased by 16.6% from RMB39.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB46.5 million (US$7.6 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

a 20.8% increase in salary and benefit expenses from RMB15.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013; and

 

   

a 70.0% increase in travel, communication and other business expenses from RMB4.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB6.8 million (US$1.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to the increase in business travels.

Service development expenses.     Service development expenses increased by 7.1% from RMB17.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB18.9 million (US$3.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily due to a 11.8% increase in salary and benefit expenses for our research and development staff from RMB12.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB14.2 million (US$2.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Other operating income

Other operating income increased by 174.7% from RMB4.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB11.4 million (US$1.9 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

a 177.3% increase in residual prize amounts to which we were entitled from pool purchase prizes from RMB2.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB6.1 million (US$1.0 million) in

 

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the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to the increase in the amount of pool purchases from our users; and

 

   

a significant increase in tax refund from government from RMB1.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB4.7 million (US$0.8 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to a discrete event of government refund of VAT tax.

Operating profit

As a result of the forgoing, our operating profit increased by 22.5% from RMB21.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB26.1 million (US$4.3 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense was RMB5.3 million (US$0.9 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to RMB11.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the change of income tax rate of E-Sun Sky Network from 15% to 10% for 2011 and 2012 as it qualified as a “national key software enterprise”, as a result an RMB6.4 million (US$1.0 million) tax benefit was recognized as a discrete event in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Net income

As a result of the forgoing factors, our net income increased by 97.0% from RMB10.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB20.6 million (US$3.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Year ended December 31, 2012 compared to year ended December 31, 2011

Net revenues

Our net revenues decreased by 26.2% from RMB232.3 million in 2011 to RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million) in 2012. This decrease in net revenues was primarily attributable to the voluntary suspension from March to November 2012. In particular, our net revenues were RMB63.1 million (US$10.3 million), RMB78.4 million (US$12.8 million) and RMB30.0 million (US$4.9 million) prior to, during and after the voluntary suspension. Service fees generated by our mobile applications accounted for 78.5% of the total service fees during the voluntary suspension period. The decrease in net revenue was specifically attributable to:

 

   

an 8.3% decrease in service fees from sports match lottery from RMB141.1 million in 2011 to RMB129.6 million (US$21.1 million) in 2012;

 

   

a 38.9% decrease in service fees from Lotto from RMB58.3 million in 2011 to RMB35.6 million (US$5.8 million) in 2012; and

 

   

a 58.7% decrease in service fees from high frequency lottery from RMB47.0 million in 2011 to RMB19.4 million (US$3.2 million) in 2012.

The impact of the voluntary suspension was also reflected in our active accounts, which decreased by 52.6% from 1.9 million in 2011 to 0.9 million in 2012. Total purchase amounts also decreased by 32% from RMB2.5 billion in 2011 to RMB1.7 billion (US$277.0 million) in 2012. In particular, we had purchase amount of RMB605.9 million (US$98.7 million), RMB848.0 million (US$138.2 million) and RMB219.8 million (US$35.8 million) prior to, during and after the voluntary suspension, respectively, representing approximately purchase amount of RMB9.5 million (US$1.5 million), RMB3.4 million (US$0.6 million) and RMB4.4 million (US$0.7 million) per day, respectively.

Historically the substantial majority of our service fees were generated from service fees for sports lottery products. We resumed the suspended online sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012 after we obtained the relevant approval by the MOF.

 

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Operating expenses

Our operating expenses decreased by 22% from RMB198.5 million in 2011 to RMB155.0 million (US$25.3 million) in 2012. The decrease was in line with the decrease of our net revenues in the same periods. Our operating expenses consisted of the following:

Cost of services .    Our cost of services decreased by 24.2% from RMB24.4 million in 2011 to RMB18.5 million (US$3.0 million) in 2012. The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

a 28.0% decrease in business tax from RMB7.6 million in 2011 to RMB5.5 million (US$0.9 million) in 2012, which was in line with the decrease in our net revenues; and

 

   

a 54.0% decrease in account handling expenses from RMB5.2 million in 2011 to RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2012 which was in line with the decrease of our net revenues.

Sales and marketing expenses .    Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 13.0% from RMB52.5 million in 2011 to RMB45.8 million (US$7.5 million) in 2012. The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

a 42.0% decrease in advertising expenses from RMB20.8 million in 2011 to RMB12.1 million (US$2.0 million) in 2012, due to our increased advertising and marketing efforts to promote our websites and brand name in 2011;

 

   

a 44.0% decrease in commissions to third-party Internet companies from RMB14.5 million in 2011 to RMB8.1 million (US$1.3 million) in 2012, primarily attributable to the discontinuation of our collaboration with certain third-party websites to redirect users to our websites for lottery purchase, which was in turn resulted from the voluntary suspension.

The decrease was partially offset by

 

   

a 158.5% increase in promotional events expenses from RMB5.3 million in 2011 to RMB13.7 million (US$2.2 million) in 2012, due to expenses related to our sponsorship for the CFA 500.com Star Project.

General and administrative expenses .    General and administrative expenses decreased by 43.3% from RMB102.0 million in 2011 to RMB57.8 million (US$9.4 million) in 2012. The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

a significant decrease in share-based compensation expenses from RMB47.4 million in 2011 to RMB10.9 million (US$1.8 million) in 2012, as we granted options to directors, management and administration staff and consultants on April 8, 2011; and

 

   

a significant decrease in third-party professional service fees from RMB11.1 million in 2011 to RMB2.4 million (US$0.4 million) in 2012 primarily attributable to audit fees paid in connection with this offering in 2011.

Service development expenses .    Service development expenses increased by 36.0% from RMB19.6 million in 2011 to RMB26.6 million (US$4.3 million) in 2012. The increase was primarily due to a 23.9% increase in salary and benefit for our research and development staff from RMB15.5 million in 2011 to RMB19.2 million (US$3.1 million) in 2012, attributable to our continued effort in research and development.

Other operating income

Our other operating income decreased by 35.4% from RMB6.5 million in 2011 to RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2012. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in residual prize amounts to which we were entitled from pool purchase prize distributions in respect of payments we made to complete lottery pool purchases, attributable to a decrease in total pool purchase amount and in line with the decrease of our net revenues in 2012.

Operating profit

As a result of the forgoing and in particular due to the voluntary suspension, our operating profit decreased by 49% from RMB42.0 million in 2011 to RMB21.1 million (US$3.5 million) in 2012.

 

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Income tax

Our income tax expense decreased by 36.8% from RMB28.5 million in 2011 to RMB18.0 million (US$2.9 million) in 2012. This was primarily due to (i) the decrease in the applicable income tax for E-Sun Sky Network from RMB7.0 million in 2011 to RMB5.4 million (US$0.9 million) in 2012; and (ii) the decrease in outside basis difference from RMB21.5 million in 2011 to RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million) in 2012 in relation to our consolidated affiliated entities.

Net income

As a result of the foregoing factors, we recorded a net income of RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2012 as compared to a net income of RMB13.6 million in 2011.

Year ended December 31, 2011 compared to year ended December 31, 2010

Net revenues

Our net revenues increased by 47.6% from RMB157.4 million in 2010 to RMB232.3 million in 2011. This increase in net revenues was attributable to growth in all aspects of our business as well as favorable lottery market conditions in China. The increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to:

 

   

a 59.6% increase in service fees from sports match lottery from RMB88.4 million in 2010 to RMB141.1 million in 2011; and

 

   

a 49.1% increase in service fees from Lotto from RMB39.1 million in 2010 to RMB58.3 million in 2011.

In addition, the number of active accounts increased by 35.6% from 1.4 million in 2010 to 1.9 million in 2011. Total purchase amounts also increased by 38.9% from RMB1.8 billion in 2010 to RMB2.5 billion in 2011.

Operating expenses

Our operating expenses increased by 148.8% from RMB79.9 million in 2010 to RMB198.5 million in 2011. The increase was due to the expansion of our business and operations as follows:

Cost of services .    Our cost of services increased by 12.2% from RMB22.1 million in 2010 to RMB24.4 million in 2011. The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

a 50.9% increase in business tax from RMB5.3 million in 2010 to RMB7.6 million in 2011, which was in line with the increase of our net revenues; and

 

   

a 71.4% increase in server leasing and maintenance expenses from RMB2.8 million in 2010 to RMB4.8 million in 2011 resulting from our business expansion.

Sales and marketing expenses .    Sales and marketing expenses increased significantly from RMB14.3 million in 2010 to RMB52.5 million in 2011, primarily due to:

 

   

a significant increase in advertising expenses from RMB2.3 million in 2010 to RMB20.8 million in 2011, due to our enhanced advertising and marketing efforts to promote our websites and brand name in a variety of media including portal websites and traditional advertising media;

 

   

a significant increase in promotional events expenses from nil in 2010 to RMB5.3 million in 2011, due to expenses related to our sponsorship for the CFA 500.com Star Project; and

 

   

a 42.2% increase in commissions to third-party Internet companies from RMB10.2 million in 2010 to RMB14.5 million in 2011, primarily attributable to the increase in revenues generated from users directed to us from such third-party websites.

 

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General and administrative expenses .    General and administrative expenses increased significantly from RMB34.3 million in 2010 to RMB102.0 million in 2011, primarily due to:

 

   

a significant increase in share-based compensation expenses from nil in 2010 to RMB47.4 million in 2011, as we granted options to directors, management and administration staff and consultants on April 8, 2011; and

 

   

a significant increase in third-party professional service fees from RMB3.2 million in 2010 to RMB11.1 million in 2011 primarily attributable to audit fees paid in connection with this offering.

Service development expenses .    Service development expenses increased by 110.8% from RMB9.3 million in 2010 to RMB19.6 million in 2011. The increase was primarily due to a 116.1% increase in salary and benefit for our research and development staff from RMB7.2 million in 2010 to RMB15.5 million in 2011, attributable to our increasing effort in research and development.

Other operating income

Our other operating income increased by 38.3% from RMB4.7 million in 2010 to RMB6.5 million in 2011. The increase was primarily due to an increase in residual prize amounts to which we are entitled from pool purchase prize distributions in respect of payments we made to complete lottery pool purchases, attributable to an increase in total pool purchase amount from RMB532.9 million in 2010 to RMB640.3 million in 2011.

Operating profit

As a result of the forgoing and in particular due to the significant increase in our share-based compensation expenses from nil in 2010 to RMB50.2 million in 2011, our operating profit decreased by 48.8% from RMB81.7 million in 2010 to RMB41.8 million in 2011.

Income tax

Our income tax expense decreased by 34.5% from RMB43.5 million in 2010 to RMB28.5 million in 2011. This was primarily due to (i) the decrease in the applicable income tax for E-Sun Sky Network from RMB8.7 million in 2010 to RMB7.0 million in 2011; and (ii) the decrease in outside basis difference from RMB35.6 million in 2010 to RMB21.5 million in 2011 in relation to our consolidated affiliated entities.

Net income

As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income decreased by 64.5% from RMB38.3 million in 2010 to RMB13.6 million in 2011.

 

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Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of the 11 quarters in the period from January 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated quarterly financial information on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our operating results for the quarters presented.

 

    Three months ended  
    March 31,
2011
    June 30,
2011
    September 30,
2011
    December 31,
2011
    March 31,
2012
    June 30,
2012
    September 30,
2012
    December 31,
2012
    March 31,
2013
    June 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
    (RMB in thousands)        

Net Revenues

    47,041        54,101        57,823        73,367        73,165        34,481        23,090        40,791        39,485        54,689        69,237   

Operating expenses:

                     

Cost of services

    (4,173     (6,952     (5,541     (7,759     (6,565     (3,997     (3,360     (4,554     (5,339     (6,729     (7,496

Sales and marketing

    (6,993     (6,728     (15,968     (22,782     (16,486     (11,106     (8,730     (9,472     (15,875     (20,659     (24,667

General and administrative

    (8,370     (55,869     (14,981     (22,776     (14,527     (12,431     (12,941     (17,885     (16,657     (14,875     (14,985

Service development expenses

    (2,380     (4,201     (5,664     (7,321     (5,739     (5,901     (6,033     (8,898     (6,033     (6,201     (6,690

Write-off initial public offering expenses

                                (6,365     (39                                   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    (21,916     (73,750     (42,154     (60,638     (49,682     (33,474     (31,064     (40,809     (43,904     (48,464     (53,838

Other operating income

    1,728        1,414        1,407        1,906        2,705        1,126        308        54        1,945        6,849        2,577   

Government grant

    400                      1,378               2,200        3        39        46        46        47   

Other operating expense

                  (279     (17     (223     (23     (1,336     (239     (344     (2,028     (275
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    27,253        (18,235     16,797        15,996        25,965        4,310        (8,999     (164     (2,772     11,092        17,748   

Interest income

    17        52        96        78        277        287        249        319        101        79        71   

Interest expense

                                                                   (152     (278
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax 

    27,270        (18,183     16,893        16,074        26,242        4,597        (8,750     155        (2,671     11,019        17,541   

Income tax (benefit) expense

    (15,494     (791     23,980        (36,192     (8,482     (3,693     544        (6,370     (933     703        (5,061
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

    11,776        (18,974     40,873        (20,118     17,760        904        (8,206     (6,215     (3,604     11,722        12,480   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

    11,776        (18,974     40,873        (20,118     17,760        904        (8,206     (6,215     (3,604     11,722        12,480   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net income/(loss) (non-GAAP)

    21,048        18,894        19,453        25,798        27,124        6,009        (5,205     1,938        1,455        14,455        13,598   

 

(1) As a supplement to net income, we use the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income which is U.S. GAAP net income as adjusted to exclude share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities. This non-GAAP financial measure is provided as additional information to help our investors compare business trends among different reporting periods on a consistent basis and to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and prospects for the future. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in addition to or as a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP net income. In addition, our definition of adjusted net income may be different from the definition of such term used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

 

(2) We present adjusted net income (non-GAAP) excluding share-based compensation and deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences from our consolidated affiliated entities. The following table reconciles our adjusted net income (non-GAAP) for each of the 11 quarters in the period from January 1, 2011 to September 30, 2013 to the net income calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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    Three months ended  
   

March 31,

   

June 30,

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

   

March 31,

   

June 30,

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

    March 31,     June 30,     September 30,  
    2011     2011     2011     2011     2012     2012     2012     2012     2013     2013     2013  
   

(RMB In thousands)

       

Net income/(loss)

    11,776        (18,974     40,873        (20,118     17,760        904        (8,206     (6,215     (3,604     11,722        12,480   

Adjustment for share-based compensation

           40,080        5,102        4,972        4,911        3,373        2,716        2,704        1,983        519        519   

Adjustment for deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences

    9,272        (2,212     (26,522     40,944        4,453        1,732        285        5,449        3,076        2,214        599   

Adjusted net income/(loss) (non-GAAP)

    21,048        18,894        19,453        25,798        27,124        6,009        (5,205     1,938        1,455        14,455        13,598   

We experienced growth in our quarterly net revenues in 2011. The growth in net revenues was mainly attributable to increased purchase amount of lotteries from an increased base of total registered accounts and the growth in the lottery market in China. Our net revenues in the first three quarters of 2012 decreased as compared to their respective preceding quarters as a result of the voluntary suspension. Our net revenues increased in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first three quarters of 2013 as compared to their respective preceding quarters after we resumed online sales services for sports lottery products. Although there is no guarantee the recovery of revenue growth can be maintained, we expect our net revenues to continue a trend of growth in the foreseeable future.

Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and may continue to fluctuate depending upon a number of factors, including seasonality of sports events on which sport lotteries are based, changes in the lottery issuance schedules by the lottery issuance authorities, and general economic conditions. Historically, the expenditures on online lottery purchase in China tend to decrease during the first quarter of each year primarily due to the Chinese New Year holiday in that quarter. See “Risk Factors—Risk Related to Our Business and Industry—Our quarterly revenues and operating results may fluctuate, which makes our results of operations difficult to predict and may cause our quarterly results of operations to fall short of expectations.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash generated from our operating activities and proceeds from our issuances of preferred shares and ordinary shares. As of September 30, 2013, we had RMB49.3 million (US$8.1 million) in cash and cash equivalents. In 2010, our board of directors declared a distribution of dividends totaling RMB159.9 million (US$26.1 million) to our ordinary shareholders. On December 6, 2012, our board of directors declared a distribution of dividends totaling RMB90.0 million (US$14.7 million) to our ordinary shareholders. As of September 30, 2013, RMB94.5 million (US$15.4 million) in dividends remained unpaid, which was repaid in full as of the date of this prospectus. As a holding company with no material operations of our own, we conduct our operations primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities in China. Our PRC subsidiary’s ability to make dividends or other cash payments to us are subject to various restrictions under PRC laws and regulations. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure— We may rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC and Hong Kong subsidiaries to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC and Hong Kong subsidiaries to pay dividends to us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Governmental control of currency conversion may affect the value of your investment.” Although we consolidate the results of our PRC consolidated affiliated entities, we do not have direct access to their cash and cash equivalents or future earnings. However, we can direct the use of their cash through agreements that provide us with effective control of these entities. Moreover, we are entitled to receive service fees from them in exchange for certain technology consulting and other services provided by us and the use of certain intellectual properties

 

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owned by us. See “Our History and Corporate Structure.” As of September 30, 2013, we had working capital of RMB79.1 million (US$12.9 million).

In October 2013, we issued a convertible note in the aggregate principal amount of US$20 million to Sequoia, which will be automatically converted into our Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering.

We believe that our current cash, anticipated cash flow from operations, and the net proceeds we expect to receive from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months. See “Use of Proceeds.” We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity securities or debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. Financing may be unavailable in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

     Year ended December 31,     Nine months ended
September 30
 
     2010     2011     2012     2012     2013  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$     RMB     RMB     US$  
     (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities

     63,159        69,425        92,499        15,114        82,990        (19,562     (3,197

Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities

     162        (35,334     (124,869     (20,403     (113,597     (9,318     (1,522

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     (56,683     (2,830     (5     (1     1,600        46,621        7,618   

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     26,031        32,669        63,930        10,446        63,930        31,555        5,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     32,669        63,930        31,555        5,156        34,923        49,296        8,055   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was RMB19.6 million (US$3.2 million), which was primarily attributable to (i) net income of RMB20.6 million (US$3.4 million); (ii) a RMB8.1 million (US$1.3 million) increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Net cash used in operating activities in the nine months ended 2013 was partially offset by (i) a RMB26.7 million (US$4.4 million) increase in accounts receivable (ii) a RMB28.0 million (US$4.6 million) increase in prepayments and other current assets as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Net cash generated from operating activities in 2012 was RMB92.5 million (US$15.1 million), which was primarily attributable to (i) a RMB25.7 million (US$4.2 million) decrease in prepayments and other current assets primarily due to a decrease in deposits we paid for the purchase of lottery products as of December 31, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011, which was in line with the decrease in our net revenues during the same periods; (ii) a RMB12.5 million (US$2.0 million) decrease in account receivables as of December 31, 2012

 

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as compared to December 31, 2011, which was in line with the decrease in our net revenues during the same periods.

Net cash generated from operating activities was RMB69.4 million in 2011, which was primarily attributable to (i) net income of RMB13.6 million; (ii) a RMB50.2 million adjustment to net income to reconcile net cash for shared-based compensation in connection with the options we granted, for more details, see “Management—Share Incentive Plan”; (iii) a RMB20.6 million adjustment to net income to reconcile net cash for deferred tax expense; and (iv) a RMB28.1 million increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010 primarily due to increases in advance payments from our users prior to purchase of lottery products, which was in line with the increase in our net revenues during the same period. Increase in net cash generated from operating activities in 2011 was partially offset by (i) a RMB29.6 million increase in prepayments and other current assets primarily due to increase in receivables from financial institutions and lottery administration centers which was in line with the increase in our net revenues during the same period; and (ii) a RMB16.1 million increase in account receivables from lottery administration centers which was in line with the increase in our net revenues during the same period.

Net cash generated from operating activities was RMB63.2 million in 2010, which was primarily attributable to (i) net income of RMB38.3 million; (ii) an adjustment of deferred tax expense of RMB34.3 million and (iii) increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of RMB10.6 million due largely to increases in advances from our users to reflect our increased business activities, which was partially offset by increase in prepayments and other current assets of RMB21.0 million due largely to increases in our prepayments to lottery administration centers, in line with our increased business activities.

Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was RMB9.3 million (US$1.5 million), which was primarily attributable to a RMB141.5 million (US$23.1 million) decrease in amounts due from related parties as of September 30, 2013 as compared to September 30, 2012, which was partially offset by (i) a RMB144.7 million increase in restricted cash as of September 30, 2013 as compared to September 30, 2012; and (ii) cash paid for acquisition of property and equipment of RMB5.9 million in connection with the purchase of information-related equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2012 was RMB124.9 million (US$20.4 million), which was primarily attributable to (i) a RMB85.6 million (US$13.9 million) increase in the amount of loans we granted to certain related parties as of December 31, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011; and (ii) cash paid for acquisition of property and equipment of RMB29.8 million (US$4.9 million) in connection with the decoration of our new office building.

Net cash used in investing activities in 2011 was RMB35.3 million, which was primarily attributable to (i) a RMB23.8 million increase in the amount of loans we granted to certain related parties as of December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010; and (ii) cash paid for acquisition of property and equipment of RMB9.3 million in connection with the purchase of information-related equipment.

Net cash generated from investing activities was RMB0.2 million in 2010, primarily attributable to decrease in amounts due from related parties of RMB5.2 million, partially offset by cash paid for acquisition of property and equipment of RMB3.8 million and cash paid for acquisition of intangible assets of RMB1.2 million.

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

Net cash generated from financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was RMB46.6 million (US$7.6 million) which was primarily attributable to a RMB149.8 million (US$24.5 million) proceeds from short-term bank borrowings and partially offset by a RMB100.0 million (US$16.3 million) payment of dividends.

We did not generate or use any significant cash from financing activities in 2012.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities in 2011 was RMB2.8 million which was attributable to cost incurred in connection with this offering.

Net cash used in financing activities was RMB56.7 million in 2010, primarily due to cash paid for the repurchase of our Series B and B-1 preferred shares on March 17, 2010 for an aggregate purchase price of RMB112.2 million and cash paid for distribution of dividends of RMB55.4 million, partially offset by cash received from issuance of 2,206,073 pre-split ordinary shares for an aggregate purchase price of RMB112.4 million.

Capital Expenditures

We made capital expenditures, including for property and equipment and intangible assets, of RMB5.0 million, RMB10.1 million, RMB32.1 million and RMB6.1 million (US$1.0 million) in 2010, 2011, 2012, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. In addition, our capital expenditures in 2012 included decoration expenses of our new office building in Shenzhen. We expect our capital expenditures in 2013 to primarily consist of purchases of additional information technology-related equipment. In addition, we expect that our capital expenditures will increase in the future as we make technological improvements to our transaction and service platform.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table sets forth our future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases of office rent with initial terms in excess of one year as of the indicated dates.

 

       As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
 
     (RMB)      (US$)      (RMB)      (US$)  
     (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

2013

     3,273         535         907         148   

2014

     2,918         477         2,989         488   

2015

     2,918         477         2,918         477   

2016

     2,918         477         2,918         477   

2017 and thereafter

     2,584         422         2,584         422   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     14,611         2,388         12,316         2,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, we did not have any long-term debt obligations or purchase obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements

We do not currently have any outstanding off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments. We have no plans to enter into transactions involving, or otherwise form relationships with, unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments.

Inflation

Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially affected our results of operations. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the annual average percent changes in the consumer price index in China for 2010, 2011 and 2012 were a decrease of 0.7%, an increase of 3.3% and an increase of 2.02%, respectively.

 

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Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in China.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign Exchange Risk

Substantially all of our revenues and expenses are denominated in RMB. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used any derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposure to such risk. Although in general, our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited, the value of your investment in our ADSs will be affected by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RMB because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RMB, while the ADSs will be traded in U.S. dollars.

The value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the revised policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy resulted in a more than 20% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar in the following three years. Since July 2008, however, the RMB has traded within a narrow range against the U.S. dollar. As a consequence, the RMB has fluctuated significantly since July 2008 against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the U.S. dollar. On June 20, 2010, the People’s Bank of China announced that the PRC government would further reform the RMB exchange rate regime and increase the flexibility of the exchange rate. It is difficult to predict how this new policy may impact the RMB exchange rate. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into RMB for our operations, appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RMB amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert the RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately US$75.8 million from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering, based on the public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia into RMB, a 10% appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, from a rate of RMB6.120 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB5.5636 to US$1.00, will result in a decrease of RMB42.2 million (US$6.9 million) of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the RMB against the U.S. dollar, from a rate of RMB6.120 to US$1.00 to a rate of RMB6.800 to US$1.00, will result in an increase of RMB51.5 million (US$8.4 million) of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia.

Interest Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank accounts. We have not been exposed to, nor do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in market interest rates. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations due to changes in market interest rates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740) or ASU 2013-11, to provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred

 

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tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. The modifications to ASC Topic 740 resulting from the issuance of ASU 2013-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014. Starting from January 1, 2014, the Company will present unrecognized tax benefit or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit as deduction of deferred tax assets if applicable.

 

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INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

Chinese Lottery Market

The Chinese lottery market has experienced strong growth in recent years as a result of positive macro trends in China, such as robust economic growth, increases in disposable income and a more positive shift in public perception towards the lottery business. Total lottery sales in China amounted to RMB166.3 billion, RMB221.6 billion and RMB261.5 billion (US$42.7 billion), in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 33.3% and 18.0% increases in 2011 and 2012 as compared to 2010 and 2011, respectively, according to a report by the MOF. According to the iResearch Report, although no accurate projection of the future growth of the Chinese lottery market can be guaranteed, the Chinese lottery market is expected to continue to grow at a comparable rate in the near future due to the continued growth of China’s GDP and individual disposable income and the increasingly favorable regulatory environment for the development of the lottery market in China. Total lottery sales in China is projected to be RMB308.0 billion, RMB374.3 billion and RMB450.3 billion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, representing a 46.2% increase from 2013 to 2015 according to the iResearch Report.

The following chart shows total lottery sales in China from 2010 to 2012 and projected total lottery sales in China from 2013 to 2015:

 

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Source: the iResearch Report

Lottery sales through the Internet has also enjoyed substantial growth in recent years. Total online lottery sales amounted to approximately RMB5.5 billion, RMB11.0 billion and RMB14.7 billion (US$2.4 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, accounting for 3.3%, 5.0% and 5.6% of total lottery sales for the same years, respectively, according to the iResearch Report. According to the same report, over the next few years lottery purchasers will increasingly utilize alternative lottery purchasing channels, such as the Internet and mobile phone networks, which enhance the convenience of lottery products purchase and provide a variety of services not available through traditional channels. Total online lottery sales is projected to reach RMB20.5 billion, RMB29.3 billion and RMB41.3 billion in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, representing approximately 6.7%, 7.8% and 9.2% of the total lottery sales amount for the same years, respectively, according to the iResearch Report.

 

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The following charts show the total online lottery sales amount and online sales amount for sports lottery products from 2010 to 2012 in China and the projected online lottery sales amount in China from 2013 to 2015:

 

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Source: the iResearch Report

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Source: the iResearch Report

 

(1) Projections are based on the assumption that the number of Chinese Internet users and the e-commerce market in China will continue to grow and detailed rules and regulations for the online lottery industry will continue to be enacted and implemented in the next few years to promote the further development of the online lottery industry.

Drivers for the Growth of the Online Lottery Market

Online lottery sales are affected by many factors, including general economic conditions, individual disposable income, and lottery purchaser demography. We believe the growth of the online lottery market will be driven by:

Growth of GDP and individual disposable income . Growth of GDP and individual disposable income are among the main growth drivers of the online lottery market in China.

In recent years, growth of online lottery market sales in China has been much faster than the growth of GDP and individual disposable income. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, from 2010 to 2012, China’s GDP grew from RMB40.2 trillion to RMB51.9 trillion (US$8.5 trillion), representing a 29.1% increase, and the individual disposable income for urban population grew from RMB19,109 to RMB24,565 (US$4,014), representing a 28.6% increase. Total online lottery sales grew from RMB5.5 billion to RMB14.7 billion

 

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(US$2.4 billion) from 2010 to 2012 representing a 167% increase. Although there is no guarantee that the growth rate of the online lottery market in China will continue to be faster than that of China’s GDP and individual disposable income, online lottery sales are expected to continue to grow as China’s GDP and individual disposable income grow.

Government regulations and evolving public acceptance of the lottery industry . The Chinese government has shown increasing support for the lottery market in general and the online lottery market in particular through a series of legislation. See “Regulations” for a more detailed discussion of this legislation. According to an announcement by the MOF, the MOF applied RMB8.5 billion of lottery income to a wide range of social welfare endeavors, including earthquake relief, medical care in rural and urban areas, education subsidy, handicapped assistance, and red-cross activities, in 2011. The MOF regards the development of the Chinese lottery market as healthy and beneficial. According to the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” approved by the PRC National People’s Congress in March 2011, the central government will expand social security fund source by increasing lottery issuance. At the same time, the recent implementation of the Urgent Notice and the subsequent investigations and penalties on certain online lottery sales service provider who does not have the relevant approvals could have a significant impact on the competitive landscape of the online lottery market. The Urgent Notice and the subsequent government actions have brought significant risks and uncertainties to online lottery sales service providers who do not have the relevant approvals, and as a result may reduce competition for online lottery sales service providers that possess relevant approvals in the near future.

Increase in the number of lottery purchasers . The increase in the number of lottery purchasers in general and the increase in the number of online purchasers in particular are important factors in online lottery market growth. The number of general and online lottery purchasers are expected to continue to grow in the next few years. According to iResearch, the number of lottery purchasers grew from 250 million in 2010 to 338 million in 2012 and the number of purchasers is projected to grow to 531 million by the end of 2015. Similarly, according to the estimate in the iResearch Report, the number of active online lottery purchasers grew from 5.0 million in 2010 to 16.5 million in 2012, representing a 230% increase, and is expected to grow to 58.9 million by 2015.

Increasing Internet penetration in lottery distribution . The Internet and Internet applications have experienced significant growth in China in recent years. As a result, both the number of Internet users and the percentage of online lottery purchasers to the number of Internet users have grown. According to the iResearch Report, there were 250 million, 290 million and 338 million lottery purchasers in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, among which 2.0%, 3.2% and 4.9% were online lottery purchasers, respectively. The increase in the number of online lottery purchasers was attributable to a variety of factors, including, among other things, the ease of online payment, the ease of access, the reliability of the prize collection process, the availability of information, and the popularity of lottery pool purchases.

Lottery Products

The government authority in charge of the Chinese lottery market is the MOF, which is responsible for drafting and enacting laws, rules and regulations on Chinese lottery sales and administration, as well as monitoring the sales and promotion of lottery products.

Lottery products by issuing entities

Two categories of lottery products are currently approved by the MOF, namely sports lottery products and welfare lottery products, which are issued by China Sports Lottery Administration Center and China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center, respectively. National lottery products are sold through provincial lottery administration centers that are authorized to license the sales of national lottery products directly to lottery sales agents. Provincial lottery administration centers are also authorized to issue provincial-level sports or welfare lottery products upon the approval of the corresponding state lottery administration center.

Welfare lottery products.     In China, welfare lottery products are defined as lottery products issued by China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center and provincial welfare lottery administration centers.

 

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Welfare lottery products were first issued in China in 1987. Most welfare lottery products are number-based lottery products, the outcomes of which depend on combinations of numbers.

Sports lottery products.     In China, sports lottery products are defined as lottery products issued by China Sports Lottery Administration Center and provincial sports lottery administration centers. There are generally two types of sports lottery products: those based on outcomes of sports matches and those that are number-based.

Total sales amount of welfare lottery products in China was RMB96.8 billion, RMB127.8 billion and RMB151.0 billion (US$24.7 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, accounting for 58.2%, 57.7% and 57.7% of total lottery sales amount in the same years, respectively. Total sales amount of sports lottery products in China was RMB69.5 billion, RMB93.8 billion and RMB110.5 billion (US$18.1 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, accounting for 41.8%, 42.3% and 42.3% of total lottery sales in the same years, respectively.

The following chart shows total welfare lottery products sales in China from 2010 to 2012 and projected total welfare lottery products sales from 2013 to 2015:

 

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Source: the iResearch Report

The following chart shows total sports lottery products sales in China from 2010 to 2012 and projected total sports lottery products sales from 2013 to 2015:

 

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Source: the iResearch Report

 

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Lottery products by types

There are three types of lottery products depending on the rules or outcomes: Lotto, sports match lottery, and instant lottery.

Lotto .    Lotto is a type of lottery product whose outcome depends on combinations of numbers. A purchaser of a lotto ticket will select a combination of numbers at the time of purchase, and the result and payout depend on how well the selected number combination matches the prize winning number combination, which is randomly drawn at a set time. The grand prize of each lotto ticket in China is usually RMB10 million, although the issuing lottery administration centers have the discretion to add extra prize money amounts as incentives. High-frequency lottery is a new type of lotto product which is characterized by a high frequency of lottery draws, usually every few minutes. It has experienced rapid development since 2009. According to a report by the MOF, sales of Lotto products accounted for 66.9%, 64.4% and 66.5% of total lottery sales in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Sports Match Lottery .    Sports match lottery is a type of lottery product whose outcome depends on the outcome of sports matches. The majority of sports match lottery products in China relate to soccer lottery products, where a lottery purchaser predicts one or more results of a soccer match or a combination of soccer matches, such as the winners and final scores, and the lottery result and payout amount depends on the outcome of the match or matches and the odds published by lottery administration centers. Sports match lottery products have greater information and knowledge requirements than other types of lotteries, and a purchaser needs to make a rational decision based on certain information, such as player status and official odds, which needs to be real-time or constantly updated to be meaningful references. As such, sports match lottery products are mostly suitable to be purchased online, where such information is readily available and updated. Benefiting from the introduction of popular sports match lottery products following a series of international sports matches, sales of sports match lottery products have grown significantly in recent years. According to the iResearch Report, sales amount of sports match lottery products accounted for 8.9%, 9.9% and 10.3% of total lottery sales amounts in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and is expected to continue to grow in the next few years.

Instant Lottery .    Instant lottery is a type of lottery product for which the winning tickets and prize amounts are predetermined. The tickets are pre-printed and a ticket purchaser will know instantly if he or she has won a prize once the ticket is opened. Given their nature, instant lottery products are currently only sold through traditional sales channels.

Instant lottery products accounted for 24.2%, 25.7% and 14.6% of total lottery sales amount in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, according to a report by the MOF.

Lottery Sales Channels

Traditional sales channels

The majority of lottery products are sold through authorized lottery stations throughout China, in the form of physical lottery tickets.

Online sales channels

Internet users can also place purchase orders on online lottery service platforms, which in turn direct the purchase orders to the relevant provincial level lottery administration centers. The iResearch Report estimated that total lottery sales through online channels were approximately RMB5.5 billion, RMB11.0 billion and RMB14.7 billion (US$2.4 billion) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Mobile devices are new lottery distribution channels that have been developing in recent years. Mobile phone users can place purchase orders on their handsets through services such as mobile Internet. According to the iResearch Report, lottery sales through mobile channels have increased significantly in recent years. The iResearch Report estimated total lottery sales through mobile devices to be approximately RMB530 million, RMB1.07 billion and RMB2.03 billion (US$331.7

 

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million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Compared to traditional sales channels, online sales channels have the following advantages:

Easy access .     Online users can submit purchase orders at lottery service websites at any time and from anywhere with an Internet connection. In comparison, traditional lottery stations can only sell lottery tickets to purchasers who physically come to the station during business hours. In addition, online lottery service websites have near-unlimited capacity to take multiple purchase orders at the same time, while lottery stations can only serve a certain number of purchasers at a given time. Purchasers at traditional lottery stations often have to wait in line to purchase new or popular lottery products for which transaction volumes are high.

Services and supports .     Besides sales service, online sales channels provide a variety of services to users. Information services are valuable to online users at the time of purchase, especially for certain types of lottery products such as sports match lottery products. Online forum services provide venues for users to discuss lottery-related topics and socialize. Data services provide users valuable information to study and research lottery products. In comparison, only a limited number of larger and well equipped lottery stations in China have the capacity to provide information services such as news feeds and real-time information updates.

Lottery pool purchase is a purchase mode favored by many lottery purchasers. Online sales channels greatly facilitate the pool purchase process. Purchasers can initiate purchase pools or join existing pools online conveniently. In comparison, purchase pools formed offline usually involve participants having to meet in person. An online community is an ideal venue for pool initiators to advertise their pools and find pool participants. In addition, the transfer of individual purchase amounts and the allocation of prize money among participants can be handled electronically, which is fast and automated, reducing chances of error or misappropriation.

Convenient prize collection .     Traditionally, winners of lottery draws needed to go to the lottery station from which they purchased the winning tickets and present the winning tickets as proof for prize collection. If the winning tickets were lost or severely damaged, the prize could not be collected. Users who purchase lottery products online are able to have the prize money wire-transferred to their online accounts, which reduces the chance of error and protects the anonymity of the winners. Purchase records are stored in the online service providers’ database and no physical lottery ticket is required to be presented by the purchaser in the process.

Among the different types of lottery products, Lotto, sports match lottery products and high frequency lottery products are more suited to online purchase. According to the iResearch Report, in 2012, sales of Lotto, sports match lottery products and high frequency lottery products accounted for approximately 25%, 50% and 25% of total online lottery sales amount, respectively.

Lottery Purchasers

According to the iResearch Report, there were 250 million, 290 million and 338 million lottery purchasers in China in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 35.2% increase from 2010 to 2012. According to the iResearch Report, there were 5.0 million, 9.3 million and 16.5 million active online lottery purchasers in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, accounting for 2.0%, 3.2% and 4.9% of total lottery purchasers in the same years, respectively. The majority of online lottery purchasers in China are young adults with relatively high individual disposable income. According to the iResearch Report, in 2010 the weighted average age of online lottery purchasers is 30.4 years old, among which 37.1% are between the age of 25 and 29, and 26.6% are between the age of 30 and 34. The weighted average monthly salary of online lottery purchasers is RMB5,400, among which 20.3% are between RMB5,001 and RMB8,000, and 28.9% are between RMB3,001 and RMB5,000. This core group of online lottery purchasers represents a demography that is receptive to e-commerce, and is expected to continue to grow significantly.

 

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The following chart shows the number of lottery purchasers in China from 2010 to 2012 and the projected number of lottery purchasers in China from 2013 to 2015:

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Source: the iResearch Report

 

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OUR BUSINESS

Overview

We are a leading online sports lottery service provider in China with the largest market share in the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the second largest market share in 2012 in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products, according to the iResearch Report. We act as an aggregator and processor of lottery purchase orders from our registered user accounts and currently derive substantially all of our revenues from service fees paid to us by provincial sports lottery administration centers for the purchase orders of sports lottery products that we direct to such centers. We offer a comprehensive and integrated suite of online lottery services, information, user tools and virtual community venues to our users. We were among the first companies to provide online lottery services in China, and we are one of the two entities that are authorized by the MOF to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center, the government authority in charge of the issuance and sale of sports lottery products in China. To the best of our knowledge, the other approved entity has not commenced the provision of online lottery sales services as of the date of this prospectus. Through continued and significant investments in the past 12 years, we have built a prominent brand, 500wan, which means “five million” in Chinese and is the typical amount of top prizes of most lottery products in China. We believe our brand is known in the industry and by our users for its credibility and reliability.

Historically, we provided online sales services for, and generated service fees from, both sports and welfare lottery products. From March to November 2012, we effectuated the voluntary suspension in response to the Urgent Notice which mandates, among other things, that online lottery sales services can only be provided by entities approved by the MOF. During this period, we continued to provide lottery sales services via our mobile applications to mobile users and via our online platform to a limited number of loyal customers as a means of customer maintenance. Approximately 78.5% of our service fees during the voluntary suspension period were generated from our mobile applications. We resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012 after we obtained the relevant approval for such lottery products from the MOF. Simultaneously, we ceased to provide sales services for welfare lottery products.

Historically, we have one of the largest and fastest-growing user bases among online lottery service providers in China. We had 8.8 million, 13.8 million, 16.6 million and 18.4 million registered user accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The activity level of our users was adversely affected by the voluntary suspension. We had 1.4 million, 1.9 million, 0.9 million and 0.8 million active accounts in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The purchase amount of our users was RMB1.8 billion, RMB2.5 billion, RMB1.7 billion (US$272.7 million) and RMB2.0 billion (US$322.8 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Since we resumed online lottery sales services for sports lottery products on November 12, 2012, our user activity level has been recovering steadily. Our number of active accounts was approximately 282,000, 297,000, 389,000 and 374,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, and September 30, 2013 respectively, representing a 6.0%, 5.3% and 31.0% increase and a 3.9% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters. In comparison, we had approximately 635,000, 309,000 and 266,000 active accounts in the three months ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2012, respectively, representing a 13.6%, 51.3% and 13.9% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters. The purchase amount per active account was RMB1,169, RMB1,818, RMB1,799 and RMB1,967 in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 25.8% increase, a 55.5% increase, a 1.0% decrease and a 9.3% increase from those in the respective preceding quarters. In comparison, the purchase amount per active account was RMB1,143, RMB1,200 and RMB929 in the three months ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, respectively, representing a 4.2% increase, a 5.1% increase and a 22.6% decrease from those in the respective preceding quarters.

Our net revenues were RMB157.4 million, RMB232.3 million and RMB171.5 million (US$28.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 47.6% increase from 2010 to 2011 and a 26.2% decrease from 2011 to 2012, respectively. The majority of our service fees were generated from sports lottery products, which accounted for 76.9%, 78.7% and 86.0% of our total service fees in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The

 

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increases in percentages of revenue contribution from sports lottery products were results of our efforts to promote the sales of such products during the periods. Our net income was RMB38.3 million, RMB13.6 million and RMB4.2 million (US$0.7 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, representing a 64.5% decrease from 2010 to 2011 and a 68.7% decrease from 2011 to 2012. Our net income in 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by share-based compensation expenses of RMB50.2 million and RMB13.7 million (US$2.2 million), respectively. In addition, our net income in 2010, 2011 and 2012 was adversely impacted by deferred tax expenses relating to outside basis differences in our consolidated affiliated entities of RMB35.6 million, RMB21.5 million and RMB11.9 million (US$1.9 million), respectively. Our service fees increased by 49.3% from RMB142.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB212.2 million (US$34.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. All of our service fees in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were generated from sports lottery products. Our net revenues increased by 25.0% from RMB130.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB163.4 million (US$26.7 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Our net income increased by 96.2% from RMB10.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to RMB20.6 million (US$3.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe the following strengths have helped to make us a leading online lottery service provider in China and differentiate us from other companies in our industry:

A leading online lottery service platform in China with established and trusted brand

We are a leading sports online lottery service provider in China with a highly regarded brand name. According to the iResearch Report, we had the largest market share in the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the second largest market share in 2012 in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products, and are recognized by users as a reputable service provider due to our established track record of operations. We were among the earliest online lottery service providers and enjoyed first mover advantage in China. Our market leader position and the quality of our services have contributed to the establishment of our prominent brand name, “500wan”, which is known for its credibility and reliability. The strength of our brand name in the industry have also helped us to attract new users. The purchase amount of our users was RMB1.8 billion, RMB2.5 billion, RMB1.7 billion (US$272.7 million) and RMB2.0 billion (US$322.8 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The decrease in 2012 was primarily due to the voluntary suspension, but we have recovered our user activity steadily since we resumed online sales services for sports lottery products in November 2012. Our purchase amount of sports lottery products in the third quarter of 2013 became the highest on a quarterly basis in our operational history. We believe, as the only MOF-approved online lottery sales service provider with an operational track record and expertise in the online lottery industry, we will continue our reputation as a reliable and trustworthy source for online lottery purchases in the future. With 12 years of operating experience in the industry, we believe we have built a strong brand name and extensive user base.

Comprehensive and innovative services that enhance user experience

As one of the earliest online lottery service providers in China, our goal has been to provide specialized and sophisticated lottery services to our users, which we believe solidify our reputation as the professional service provider dedicated to online lottery services. Over the 12 years of operations, our continued focus and investment on research and development has enabled us to provide our users with innovative and proprietary tools with increasing utility and variety. Such tools are designed to address various aspects of users’ needs in the lottery purchase process, such as availability of information on a real-time basis, assistance of professional analysis on odds and trends, and capability to combine purchases to increase payout amounts. As a result, the combination of such tools enables our users to make well-informed and carefully-planned lottery purchases and enhance their purchase experience.

Information platform .    We strive to provide our users with most comprehensive and up-to-date lottery related information, which is crucial to decision-making for most sports lottery products. We are among the few

 

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online lottery service providers that have dedicated and direct data interface with China Sports Lottery Administration Center, which enables us to publish real-time sports match scores and odds for sports match lottery products. In addition, in September 2013, we entered into an agreement with BetBrain, a European professional odds publisher, from which we will obtain a real-time feed of odds information published in Europe and provide our users an additional channel of reference.

Analytic tools .    We are dedicated to fostering a community experience and increasing the adhesion of our users by assisting them in making informed and planned lottery purchases. We offer a variety of tools which enable users to analyze, through filtering, modeling and other means, the abundant information available on our websites before their purchases. In addition, in March 2013, we started to offer a self-developed purchase toolbox service, which, among other things, enables users to browse their individual purchase histories, analyze their purchase patterns, and review their winning records for soccer match lottery products.

Innovative purchase modes .    Our services also feature a variety of self-developed purchase modes within the framework of the lottery purchase system in China. We developed and first offered the lottery pool purchase services which has became a standard feature offered by all online lottery service providers. We also developed purchase modes such as automatic tag-along, recurring purchase and locked-in numbers which simplify and streamline lottery purchases. In August 2013, we started to offer a new service, namely, optimization of prize allocation, which helps users decide allocation of purchase amounts in the combined purchases.

In addition, we have established a strong and effective online lottery service platform capable of handling high levels of user traffic and transaction volume, to ensure expediency, security and reliability in purchase order placement and prize-collection process.

Large and active user base

Our online lottery service platform hosts one of the largest communities of users in the online lottery industry. We had 8.8 million, 13.8 million, 16.6 million and 18.4 million total registered accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Our trusted brand name, comprehensive and diversified services and user support, extensive user base and strong partnerships with lottery administration centers continue to attract new users to our websites and retain existing users. In addition, these attributes also help to attract third-party e-commerce and directory portal websites to form strategic relationships with us and redirect users to our websites.

A loyal and growing user base is a valuable asset and a key element for success of an online service business. From 2010 to 2011, our users have shown loyalty to us through their high activity levels. Among total registered accounts, we had 1.4 million and 1.9 million active accounts in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, each active account entered into an average of 67 transactions, spending an average of RMB1,329. The activity level and loyalty of our active accounts have contributed significantly to our revenues during that period. In 2012, our user activity level was adversely impacted by the voluntary suspension. In 2012 we had 0.9 million active accounts and each active account placed an average of 62 lottery purchase orders and spent an average of RMB1,766. Both our number of active accounts and purchase amount began to grow again after we resumed our online lottery sales services for sports lottery products on November 12, 2012. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we increased our sales and marketing efforts to recover and grow our user base and user activity level. The purchase amount of our users was RMB329.7 million, RMB540.0 million and RMB699.9 million and RMB735.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 33.4%, 63.8%, 29.6% and 5.1% increase from their respective preceding quarters. Our number of active accounts was approximately 282,000, 297,000, 389,000 and 374,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively, representing a 6.0%, 5.3% and 31.0% increases and a 3.9% decrease from their respective preceding quarters. Each active account spent an average of RMB2,520 (US$411.8) in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. For more details, see “—Our users”.

 

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The only MOF-approved online lottery sales service provider with an operational track record and expertise among the online lottery sales service providers that currently operate in China

In October 2012, we became one of the two entities that were approved by the MOF to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center. Such approval is the first ever granted by the MOF pursuant to the Lottery Measures and the Implementing Rules. The regulatory framework for the online lottery market in China is still in its development phase, and the approval process implemented by the MOF and the relevant governmental authorities manifests PRC government’s intention to strengthen the market regulation and serves as a significant entry barrier to the market. Following the implementation of the Urgent Notice, the relevant government authorities have initiated investigations and levied penalties on a number of online lottery sales service providers who do not have the relevant approvals, according to the iResearch Report. According to the same report, the Urgent Notice and the subsequent government actions brought significant risks and uncertainties to online lottery sales service providers who do not have the relevant approvals. Although the MOF approval process is relatively new and there is uncertainty as to when and how many approvals the MOF would issue going forward, the scarcity of companies approved by the MOF to conduct online lottery sales to date allows us to enjoy a unique and advantageous position in the current online lottery market in China.

Between the two approved entities, we are the only one that has operational experience in the online lottery service business. To the best of our knowledge, the other approved entity has not commenced the provision of online lottery sales services as of the date of this prospectus. We believe we were granted the approval because the MOF valued our track record and accumulated expertise in the online lottery service business. The application submitted to the MOF on our behalf included our management and employee qualifications, infrastructure status and financial statements for 2009, 2010 and 2011, which demonstrated that we had accumulated valuable operational expertise and brand recognition as one of the earliest online lottery service providers in China. In addition, we believe the MOF acknowledged our reliable and secured operations and excellent customer services, as evidenced by our large customer base and good market reputation, and issued its approval for us to be one of the two authorized entities to provide online lottery sales services under the new regulations so that we can act as an example for the developing the online lottery market in China.

Experienced and dedicated management team

Under our management’s leadership, our business has experienced significant growth. We were an early market entrant into the online lottery service business and our founders and management team include leaders and pioneers in the industry. Our founder, chairman and CEO, Mr. Man San Law, was the key person behind the establishment of our company, which was among the earliest online lottery service providers in China. Mr. Law has been at the forefront of developing innovative online products and solutions and establishing strategic partnerships with market participants. Our long-term track record as a leader in the market under Mr. Law’s leadership has strengthened our market position and enhanced our brand name. Most of the members of our senior management team have over 12 years of experience in information technology or Internet related industries. Although the past achievements of our management team may not be indicative of similar future performance, we believe the continued services of our management team provides us with a competitive advantage. In addition, our focus, dedication and track record in online lottery service business differentiates us from other service providers that have entered the market more recently and offer online lottery products as an ancillary part of their business.

 

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Our Strategies

Our goal is to maintain and enhance our position as a leading online lottery service provider in China and to accelerate our growth by building an integrated online service platform. To achieve our goal, we intend to leverage our existing strengths and pursue the following strategies:

Strengthen our brand name by concerted sales and marketing efforts

Having obtained the MOF approval, we intend to intensify our marketing campaigns with major media channels and sports event sponsors to strengthen our brand name and solidify our market leadership. We plan to promote our brand simultaneously on the three major media channels of the sports market in China, namely, television, online and newspaper, in 2013 and the near future. In 2013, we placed commercials on the sports channel of CCTV, the central and most watched television station in China. We also entered into online advertisement arrangements with PPTV, one of the largest online sports live broadcasters in China, and placed print advertisement with Sports Weekly, the most popular sports newspaper in China.

We also actively sponsor major sports events to promote our brand. We were the official and sole sponsor of the CFA 500.com Star Project, a project we jointly launched with the Chinese Football Association, or the CFA, from August 2011 to 2013. The launch of the project received wide media coverage and positive feedback from major Chinese Internet portals. In 2013, we became an official sponsor of Hangzhou Greentown Soccer Club, a professional soccer team in Chinese Football Association Super League. We will continue to explore opportunities of strategic alliances with and joint sponsorships of sports teams and official athletic organizations to promote public awareness of sports lottery and our brand name. In particular, we plan to focus our sales and marketing efforts on events in connection with the World Cup for Soccer in 2014.

Further enhance our specialized and sophisticated lottery purchase services

We believe our reputation as a professional service provider dedicated to online lottery services is essential to our continued success. We plan to enhance and diversify our specialized and sophisticated lottery services by further pursuing following goals:

Promoting one-stop shop services . Our information platform and analytic tools are integral to our sales services. In addition to being a purchase servicer and facilitator, we plan to continue to seek innovative means to assist with the lottery purchase behaviors of our users, to foster their community experience and to increase their loyalty. For example, we plan to further enhance functionality and expand lottery coverage of our newly developed purchase toolbox feature, in order to provide users with greater latitude to analyze and optimize their own purchase behaviors. Moreover, in addition to expanding our data coverage, we plan to continue to research and develop our data mining capability to offer our users more meaningful assistance with such data.

Building professional and specialized teams . We believe compartmentalizing various aspects of our business creates synergy, which is also essential to offer all-around satisfactory user experience. Towards that end, we plan to continue to build our professional teams of research and development, customer service and sales and marketing through active training and recruiting.

Focus on the development of mobile services

We plan to focus on the development of our mobile services in the near feature, which we believe will diversify our revenue sources and expand our user base. We have a department of 45 employees dedicated to mobile business development that covers marketing, operation, product design, product testing and research and development of our mobile services. In 2013, we have been continuously updating and optimizing our mobile applications, which are offered in over 20 app stores and mobile download cites on iOS, Android and other major mobile platforms. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, purchase amount through mobile applications was RMB277.1 million (US$45.3 million), representing 14.0% of our total purchase amount in the same period. We plan to continue to broaden our customer reach through the mobile channel by:

 

   

actively seeking cooperations with major mobile service providers and portal sites, such as Alipay, 91.com and UC mobile browser, to provide diversified lottery sales and information services to mobile phone users;

 

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further improving our mobile applications on all major mobile platforms by providing more features and optimizing cross-platform services; and

 

   

enhancing our customer services in connection with mobile sales of lottery products.

We plan to use part of the proceeds from this offering to fund the research and development as well as the sales and marketing expenses of our mobile services.

Enhance infrastructure and security system to ensure reliability and better user satisfaction

We believe our platform will play an increasingly important role in our operations as we continue to gain new users and add new functions and tools, and focus on expanding our presence into new channels. We will continue to devote management and IT resources to enhance the scope and functionality of our information infrastructure and systems. This will enable our management to better monitor our operations and analyze user preferences and purchase behavior in order to provide our users with greater functionality and easier access. In enhancing our information infrastructure and operating platform, we also intend to ensure the ongoing strength and reliability of our security systems. Maintaining strong security systems ensures that our major lottery administration center partners and our users have confidence in our ability to provide reliable and uncompromised information and services. We believe that continued improvement in our information infrastructure and security systems will improve our services, facilitate our expansion into new distribution channels and enhance partner and user loyalty.

Pursue strategic partnerships and acquisitions

In order to maintain and strengthen our market position and expand our service offerings, we intend to selectively pursue business partnerships or acquisitions of businesses whose user bases, content, products and distribution channels are complementary to ours. We believe potential strategic partnerships will reinforce our competitive advantages as a leading lottery service provider in China and will open up new e-commerce opportunities for us. In addition, although currently we do not have any definitive acquisition plan or specific acquisition target, we will seek prudent opportunities for strategic acquisitions, as we expect the online lottery sales services market to undergo consolidation as a result of the continued tightening of regulations on the market and further implementation of the licensing and approval process following the implementation of relevant rules and regulations on the online lottery industry.

Our Services

We provide our registered users with a variety of services as described below.

Lottery Sales Services

Individual Lottery Purchase .    Historically we provide online purchase services for both sports lottery products and welfare lottery products. Currently, we only provide our users with online purchase services to sports lottery products. Users place purchase orders for sports lottery products through our websites after registering, opening and funding an online account.

Lottery Pool Purchase.      Lottery pools enable individual users to purchase a share in a pooled lottery outcome or group of outcomes with other users. Lottery pool purchase is a service developed and first offered by us in China utilizing the unique advantages of the Internet, and it has become a standard feature on all websites that offer online lottery services. According to the iResearch Report, 33.6% of online lottery purchasers in 2010 ranked lottery pool purchase as the service that was most attractive to them. Lottery pool purchasing has become the purchase mode most favored by our users, with total lottery pool purchases amounting to RMB532.9 million and RMB640.3 million, RMB169.8 million (US$27.7 million) and RMB330.6 million (US$54.0 million) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, which accounted for 29.7%, 25.4%, 10.1% and 16.7% of total purchase amount of the same periods, respectively. The decrease in 2012 was primarily attributable to the voluntary suspension.

 

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Through our lottery pool service, an initiator starts a lottery pool by specifying a range of parameters, such as the lottery portfolio, total purchase amount and payout scheme. The initiator is required to commit a minimum of 5.0% of the total purchase amount when he initiates a pool. Other players may then join the pool by agreeing to the conditions set by the initiator and putting down commitment amounts of their choices. When the total purchase amount as specified by the initiator is reached, the system will close the pool and deliver the purchase order for the lottery portfolio in the manner as specified by the initiator.

A user familiar with a particular sport or experienced with sports lotteries in general may develop a reputation for having a more educated anticipation of the results of particular matches, or for picking a lottery portfolio with a combined winning probability that is higher than that of randomly selected combinations, thereby attracting other players to participate in pools he initiates. Our lottery pool service offers less experienced users a chance to join a more experienced user or a user with a track record of winning results. It also enables users who lack the time or resources to study the odds to join another user who has done relevant research, potentially enhancing their chances of winning. For number based lotteries, users can pool their commitment amounts together and purchase multiple numbers. This enables users to spread their commitments over a wide range of lottery numbers and thereby increase the pool’s probability of winning. Pooling small purchase orders provides us with a stable revenue flow as it generates purchase momentum among users.

We offer a number of features that facilitate the initiation and consummation of a lottery pool purchase. The default prize payout to each participant of a pool is pro rata to the participant’s commitment amount, but an initiator can set an alternative payment scheme to claim a certain percentage of the prize, which rewards experienced users and may serve as an incentive for them to initiate more pools. The initiator guarantee feature allows an initiator to promise to provide a certain amount of commitment if the total purchase amount is not reached before the lottery pool purchase deadline. The minimum amount of a guaranteed commitment is 20.0% of the total purchase amount. In order to implement the guarantee, we reserve the amount of the guaranteed commitment from the initiator’s account at the time the guarantee is made until the total purchase amount has been reached or, if the total purchase amount is not reached by the purchase deadline, charge the difference from the reserved amount. If, by the purchase deadline, total commitments from participants of a pool (including the guarantee from the initiator) do not reach the full amount but are more than 90% of the total purchase amount, we make up the difference and complete the pool. We contribute the remaining outstanding purchase amount, or the residual amount of lottery pool, through bank accounts which are registered in individual employees’ names but are under our strict control. The pool will be cancelled and the commitments returned to each participant’s account if the guaranteed amount plus commitments from participants fail to cross the 90% threshold percentage at the purchase deadline.

Automatic Tag-along Purchase.     Automatic tag-along purchase is another service we provide that distinguishes us from traditional offline lottery agents. Through this service, a user can choose to automatically and periodically join a lottery pool initiated by another user. A user can customize the automatic tag-along feature by specifying the pools he wishes to automatically join, the commitment to be put down for each automatic pool and other specifications. Users may also use the “following” feature to be notified of the pooling activities initiated by certain users without automatically tagging-along. We place the option to automatically join or follow a user’s pool on such user’s profile page. A profile page also contains a user’s basic information, such as winning record, number of pools initiated and consummated, number of followers and date of registration, to allow other users to judge whether to follow or join pools initiated by this particular user.

Recurring Purchase.     Users may select our recurring purchase service to repeatedly purchase a particular number or a combination of numbers. The user sets the combination once, and specifies the type and number of rounds or dates of lotteries he wants to purchase with the selected combination. We process the purchase orders automatically. Users may cancel a recurring purchase prior to the date of any particular lottery. We also offer a filtering tool that helps users set certain parameters in choosing the combination of numbers.

Locked-in Lottery Number Purchase.     For number-based lottery products, some users like to lock in certain numbers for each of their purchases. For instance, a user may prefer the number “8” to occur somewhere in their selected combination. The number locked-in service lets users specify numbers they want and randomly generate the remaining to form a lottery pick.

 

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Information Platform

We operate a proprietary and in-house developed information platform that offers real-time and historical lottery related news and data to help our users make purchase decisions and provides them with updated information regarding the lottery business. Our information services cover the latest news in the lottery business, including comprehensive information on all 13 national level lottery products and 55 provincial level lottery products as of September 30, 2013. For number-based lottery products, we provide sophisticated analytical charts of probabilities and distributions for upcoming lottery draws, based on comprehensive historical data of such lottery products as well as analysis on probabilities and numerical distributions of winning numbers of many other lottery products. For sports match lottery products, we have a dedicated information channel, which provides a variety of information, including analytical data we purchased from a professional sports information agency, historical charts, and in-depth analysis of matches by experts in relation to official odds, as well as real-time scores and league standings for major global soccer and basketball matches. Content generated by our users are also an important source of information that is appreciated by our users. We have many experienced users who frequently post analyses and discussion on various lottery products of interest to them on our online forum. Posts from more experienced and reputable users are particularly well-received and actively discussed by other users.

Analytic Tools

We developed and offer a number of analytic tools in order to assist our users with making informed and planned lottery purchases, including:

Purchase toolbox . Purchase toolbox is a bundle of features that, among other things, enable users to browse their individual purchase histories, analyze their purchase patterns, and review their winning records for soccer match lottery products. Such features enable users to analyze their purchasing behavior, adjust their methodology and potentially enhance their winning odds.

Instant filter . Instant filter is a customizable tool which users can use to filter sports matches and real-time information related to such sports matches, such as published odds. This feature helps users to choose from a wide variety of sport match lottery products available for purchase at any given moment, and is especially helpful for picking sport matches for combo purchases.

Optimization of purchase allocation . Optimization of prize allocation is a feature that is complementary to the combo purchase services, by assisting users in designing a payout scheme for their combo purchases. This feature calculates theoretical minimum and maximum prize amounts for a payout scheme based on purchase allocation and winning odds, which helps users in their efforts to maximize potential prize amount for a given purchase amount.

Personal Centers and User Networking Platform

To enhance the loyalty and stickiness of our users, we provide a variety of services to our user community, including an online forum and personal centers for users. Our user personal centers maintain a rating system that gives a rating to each user based on such user’s purchase record and winning record. A winning track record helps to establish a user’s reputation in the user community on our platform and enables the user to become a lottery pool initiator with a high pool consummation rate. Personal centers also maintain users’ trading history for their reference. A user who has built a long trading history on our websites is likely to continue to build up his record, which gives him an overview of his activities as well as a sense of continuity.

Lottery pool purchase is also an important tool for community building as it helps to increase user loyalty and interaction. The popularity of lottery pool and automatic tag-along purchase services depend to a large extent on the credibility and track record of the initiator. A user who has a good rating on our system or has built a reputation in our user community is less likely to switch to another service provider. In addition, initiators with a large number of followers and consummated lottery pools are viewed as leaders of the user community, which, in addition to monetary incentives, motivates them to remain active on our websites. Continued and frequent activity from experienced and well-known users are also endorsements to our reputation as a sophisticated and

 

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trusted service provider. For less experienced users, joining a lottery pool gives them guidance and provides them with a gradual introduction to more sophisticated types of lotteries, which smoothes the learning curve and encourage purchase activities.

Users utilize our online forum to seek advice, discuss lottery-related topics, search for users to form lottery pools, or to socialize. We hold monthly soccer match lottery competitions which provide users with a way to enhance their lottery-related knowledge and practice such knowledge by way of a simulation game.

Mobile Applications

Starting from April 2011, we offer our users mobile applications that provide a comprehensive set of lottery services, including purchase, result inquiry, and purchase account management. Users can purchase sports lottery products through such mobile applications. The mobile applications utilize encoded data transfer system to ensure data security. The mobile applications are offered for smart phones that operate under iOS, Android and other major mobile platforms in over 20 app stores and mobile download sites. From January to September 2013, we published seven major updates of our mobile applications and added various new functions and performance upgrades. In addition, we maintain a mobile website that offers a variety of general and mobile-specific functions including registration, payment, account management, and push messages. Net revenues generated from our mobile applications accounted for 28.4% of our total net revenues in 2012. In particular, net revenues generated from our mobile applications accounted for 10.3%, 78.5% and 11.3% of our total net revenue prior to, during and after the voluntary suspension in 2012. Service fees generated from our mobile applications accounted for 14.1% of our total service fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We expect net revenues generated from mobile applications to continue to grow.

Our Users

From 2010 to 2011, our user base has shown loyalty to our platform through their high activity levels. In 2012, our user activity level was adversely impacted by the voluntary suspension from March to November 2012. As a result, we experienced decreases in both the number of active accounts and the purchase amount in the second and third quarter of 2012 from their respective preceding quarters. After we resumed our online lottery sales services for sports lottery products on November 12, 2012, our user activity level has been recovering steadily. Both the number of active accounts and the purchase amount increased in the fourth quarter of 2012 and in the first and second quarters of 2013 from their respective preceding quarters. Purchase amount increased in the third quarter of 2013 from the previous quarter even though the total number of active accounts decreased slightly. The following table sets forth the number of our active accounts, purchase amount and purchase amount per active account for the periods indicated:

 

     Active accounts      Purchase amount      Purchase amount
per  active account
 
            RMB      US$      RMB      US$  
     (in thousand)      (in thousand)      (in thousand)                

Three months ended

              

March 31, 2012

     635         725,740         118,249         1,143         186   

June 30, 2012

     309         371,029         60,454         1,200         196   

September 30, 2012

     266         247,048         40,253         929         151   

December 31, 2012

     282         329,680         53,717         1,169         190   

March 31, 2013

     297         540,000         87,985         1,818         296   

June 30, 2013

     389         699,851         114,030         1,799         293   

September 30, 2013

     374         735,640         120,203         1,967         321   

We had 8.8 million, 13.8 million, 16.6 million and 18.4 million total registered user accounts as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively. Among the total registered accounts, 1.4 million, 1.9 million, 0.9 million and 0.8 million were active accounts in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The number of active accounts decreased by 53.2% from approximately 635,000 in the first quarter of 2012 to 297,000 in the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to the

 

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adverse impact on our user activity level by the voluntary suspension. The number of active accounts increased by 25.9% from approximately 309,000 in the second quarter of 2012 to approximately 389,000 in the second quarter of 2013, primarily due to our sales and marketing efforts in the six months ended June 30, 2013 to recover our user base and activity level after the resumption of online sales services for sport lottery products. The effects of our sales and marketing efforts in 2013 are also evidenced by a 31.0% increase in the number of active accounts in the second quarter of 2013 from its preceding quarter, as compared to a 6.0% and 5.3% increase in the fourth quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2013 from their respective preceding quarters. The number of active accounts decreased by 3.9% in the third quarter of 2013 compared with the previous quarter following the rapid growth in the previous two quarters.

Our purchase amount per active account was RMB1,818, RMB1,799 and RMB1,967 in the first, second and third quarter of 2013, respectively, representing a 59.1%, 49.9% and 111.7% increase from the first, second and third quarter of 2012. Purchase amount per active account increased by 25.8% in the fourth quarter of 2012, increased by 55.5% in the first quarter of 2013, decreased by 1.0% in the second quarter of 2013 and increased by 9.3% in the third quarter of 2013 from their respective preceding quarters. The slight decrease from the first to the second quarter of 2013 was primarily due to the significant increase in the number of active accounts from the first to the second quarter of 2013, as new active accounts tend to have a lower average purchase amount compared with existing active accounts. The purchase amount per active user resumed increasing as the number of active accounts stabilized in the third quarter of 2013.

Purchase Order Processing and Prize Collection

We take special care to ensure the credibility and transparency of our purchase price collection and delivery process. Every registered user has an online cash account which can be funded directly from the user’s bank account or through other online payment methods. When an order is placed, the purchase price is deducted from the user’s online cash account. A user needs to have enough balance in his online cash account before he can submit a purchase order. To reduce chances of misappropriation, we keep balances in our users’ accounts in designated separate bank accounts.

When a user wins a prize, we distribute the equivalent prize money amount to such user’s account immediately after the prize announcement date. We then collect the prize money from the lottery administration center later. Under the current prize payout scheme of national and provincial lottery products, prize money can only be claimed by natural persons who present the winning lottery tickets at the time of collection. Since we do not distribute physical tickets to individual users and need to collect prizes on behalf of winning users, we rely on certain of our employees to maintain bank accounts opened in their individual names for the purpose of prize money collections. We employ several measures to ensure that the individual bank accounts are under our control to the best extent possible. We keep a record of the account numbers, passwords, online login information and electronic banking keys of such individual accounts, and monitor the account activities constantly. We also designate an employee to accompany the individual account holder to collect prize money from the lottery administration center. Upon collection, the prize money is immediately deposited into the appointed individual account and our accounting department is notified. The bank also sends an automatic SMS notification generated by its system to the accounting manager immediately after the deposit has taken place. Upon receipt of the SMS notification, the accounting manager transfers the prize money online into our corporate account using the electronic key and passwords. The accounting department then verifies the transfer amount to ensure the entire prize money amount is transferred into our corporate account.

Our Revenue Model

All of our net revenues come from service fees paid to us by provincial lottery administration centers for purchase orders of national and provincial lottery products we direct to them. Historically, we provided online sales services for both sports and welfare lotteries. From March to October 2012, we voluntarily suspended our online lottery sales services to substantially all of our customers in response to the implementation of the Urgent Notice, which mandate, among other things, that lottery services can only be provided by authorized agencies with the relevant approvals by the MOF. During this period, we continued to provide lottery sales services via

 

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our mobile applications to mobile users and via our online platform to a limited number of loyal customers as a means of customer maintenance. We resumed our online lottery sales services for sports lotteries in November 2012 after obtaining the relevant approval for sports lottery products from the MOF, and simultaneously ceased to provide sales services for welfare lottery products. Currently we provide our users comprehensive information on various national and provincial level welfare lottery products but not online purchase services for such welfare lottery products.

We have entered into service agreements with a number of provincial lottery administration centers. Pursuant to these service agreements, each provincial lottery administration center generally pays us a fixed percentage of the total purchase amount received from us as a service fee.

Aside from our operating websites, namely, www.500wan.com and www.500.com, we also offer our services in a number of other service channels. We provide content to third-party websites that offer lottery information services to their users. Such third-party websites offer their users an option to submit lottery purchase order through us by redirecting such users to our websites. We pay the third-party websites a pre-determined fixed percentage of the total purchase amount generated from such redirected orders with third-party websites pursuant to agreed-upon allocations ratios.

The residual amount of lottery pool purchases we contribute is recognized as a reduction of revenue. If the lottery pool wins a prize, we distribute the prize money to the pool participants based on the predetermined payout ratio, and the residual amount after distribution is received by us and recorded as other operating income.

User Support Operations

We have a user support team to provide high-quality user support services on a 24/7 basis, including service consulting, user hotline, and complaint processing. To ensure availability and efficiency of our user support services, we provide our users with access through a variety of channels, including telephone, instant messaging, email and bulletin board services. We have a dedicated team that provides services to our VIP users, including purchase reminder, application training, purchase order enhancement and customizable services. In addition, our user support team continuously improves our operation systems, which now consist of, among others, a user management system, a case management system, an information database and a quality control system.

We also have a service team dedicated to the prize collection process, which monitors the winning results of all lottery products we service and initiates the prize collection process as soon as a user wins a prize. We give users detailed instructions and are available to answer inquiries throughout the prize collection process which is especially helpful to first-time prize winners. We have an identity verification process to ensure prizes are distributed to the correct users while protecting their anonymity, which is particularly important for high prize winners. Since our inception, there has not been any legal claim brought against us by users in connection with lottery prize distribution.

Sales, Marketing and Branding

We were among the first companies to offer online lottery services in China and have built a strong brand name and reputation.

Our sales and marketing team conducts various traditional and online marketing programs and promotional activities, including in-game events and announcements, online and traditional advertising, and offline promotions. We regularly advertise on portals and directory portal websites in China. We advertise through sports-related websites and portals, through advertising at sporting events, and in national and regional newspapers and magazines. We also selectively sponsor sporting events to promote our services and enter into arrangements with sports promoters to cross-market our services.

In addition, due to our longer operating history compared to other online lottery service websites in China and the larger purchase volume platform we offer compared to traditional offline lottery agents, we currently record the largest number of prize winning lotteries. As of September 30, 2013, three prizes of over RMB10 million, 55 prizes between RMB5 million and RMB10 million, and 365 prizes between RMB1 million and RMB5 million have been awarded to users who purchased their lottery products using our online lottery service

 

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platform. We believe this record influences player sentiment and helps to strengthen our brand name, increase loyalty of existing users and attract new users. We are also continuing to expand our partnership with third-party websites to further enrich our user acquisition channels. In August 2011, we launched the CFA 500.com Star Project jointly with the CFA. As the official and sole sponsor of this project, we financed the dispatch of 24 young Chinese soccer players to study, train and play in a dozen soccer clubs in the Portuguese primary and secondary leagues for two years. This project is the CFA’s third major project in the last two decades to send young talents to be trained overseas in order to improve China’s competitiveness in soccer, one of the most popular sports in China. Like the previous two projects, CFA 500.com Star Project has received wide media coverage and positive feedback from major Chinese Internet portals as well as various newspapers. In addition, we officially sponsored a tennis open tournament in association with Women’s Tennis Professionals in Shenzhen at end of 2012. Our brand name and logo was featured in the advertisement, promotional materials and relevant media in connection with the tournament. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we increased our sales and marketing efforts following the receipt of the approval for online sales services for sports lottery products in order to recover and grow our user base and activity level. We placed TV commercials with CCTV and other online and traditional media and we became an official sponsor of Hangzhou Greentown Soccer Club, a professional soccer team in China. As a result, we experienced a steady recovery of user activity level, evidenced by the increase in purchase amounts and active accounts in the first and second quarters of 2013 compared with their respective preceding quarters.

Competition

Our main competitors are the other online lottery service providers and traditional offline lottery agents. We believe we currently possess distinctive competitive advantages over our competitors in both online and offline channels.

Our major online competitor is taobao.com, which had approximately 32% and 33% market share in terms of total purchase amount in 2011 and 2012, respectively, as compared to our market share of 23% and 12% for the same year, according to the iResearch Report. In 2012, we had 23% and the second largest market share in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products, also behind taobao.com’s largest market share of 31%, according to the iResearch Report. We had the largest market share of 29% in terms of purchase amount of sports lottery products in the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to taobao’s 24%, according to the iResearch Report. We are dedicated exclusively to servicing the lottery business and our websites offers users a community experience, provides experienced users with a lottery focused environment and provides new users a sense of trust given our track record.

In October 2012, we became one of the two entities that are approved by the MOF to provide online lottery sales services on behalf of China Sports Lottery Administration Center. Such approvals were the first ever granted by the MOF. Although the MOF approval process is relatively new and there is uncertainty as to when and how many approvals the MOF would issue going forward, the scarcity of companies approved by the MOF to conduct online lottery sales to date serves as a significant entry barrier to the market and puts us in a unique and advantageous position in the current online lottery market in China. In addition, according to the iResearch Report, the recent implementation of the Urgent Notice and the subsequent investigations and penalties on certain online lottery sales service provider who does not have the relevant approvals could have a significant impact on the competitive landscape of the online lottery market. Although there are online lottery sales service providers who currently operate without relevant approvals, the Urgent Notice and the subsequent government actions have brought significant risks and uncertainties to such service providers.

We believe there are certain other significant entry barriers to the online lottery service industry, such as brand and reputation development, cost and experience barriers. Brand and reputation development in particular would require substantial investment. We believe our users’ winning record is one of the factors in our ability to attract new users and retain existing users. Such a record has been built over the past 12 years of our operation and we believe is not easily replicable by new market entrants. In addition, it is difficult to assemble an experienced management team in this highly specialized market. Online lottery service providers that operate professionally and on a relatively large scale also need to enter into service agreements with state or provincial

 

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lottery administration centers in order to ensure stable and economical transaction processing and competitive commissions. Such agreements are entered into at the discretion of these lottery administration centers, to which a candidate’s lack of operating experience and prior history of cooperation are major deterring factors. In addition, structures and functions of online lottery websites are usually complicated, and users who are familiar with an existing website are less likely to spend time and effort to learn and switch to new structures and functions, which is an additional barrier for setting up a new competing website. In addition, we believe our in-depth and user-friendly online lottery information and database differentiate us from most of our competitors.

We also compete with traditional lottery agents that distribute lotteries at physical locations. Traditional lottery agents were until very recently the only sales channel of lotteries in China. Compared with online lottery agents, traditional lottery agents do not face the same level of regulatory uncertainty. Although online lottery sales are rapidly gaining market share, physical lottery sales is, and for the foreseeable future will, continue to be the dominant distribution channel for lotteries in China. According to the iResearch Report, approximately 97.5%, 96.7%, 95.0% and 94.4% of lotteries sales were through offline lottery agents in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively, but the market share of online lottery sales are expected to rapidly increase in the near future.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current or future competitors. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry—We operate in an intensely competitive environment, which may lead to declining revenue growth or other circumstances that would negatively affect our results of operations.”

Product Development

We have a technology and product development team of 136 employees as of September 30, 2013, representing 38.5% of our total number of employees. The members of the core development team all have previous experience in major Chinese Internet enterprises, some of whom are the first generation Internet professionals in China. We are dedicated to expanding our product development team and to attracting highly experienced professionals. We provide our team members with frequent and up-to-date training to ensure that they are fully updated on industry trends and developments, and are capable of and efficient in handling any technical challenges we might face in our operations. Our current focus is on the development of new functions and improvement of existing technologies in a number of crucial areas, such as sever capacity, user interface, client-side software, mobile site and mobile client side software, infrastructure optimization and user data mining. The product development department has subgroups that focus on various areas of research and development, such as product design, user interface design, product operation and product support. The product design group focuses on enhancing existing services and researching and developing new lottery services. The product operation and support groups are dedicated to building a safe, stable and highly efficient operating environment to handle our high volume of user traffic and data transmission. As a result, we operate an online lottery service platform that is stable, secure and fast. We plan to develop and improve our systems and technologies, and co-develop new lottery products in cooperation with lottery administration centers, which we believe will help to distinguish us from our competitors.

Employees

Our ability to maintain a trained management team and other employees is critical to the success of our business. We had a total of 304, 403 and 353 employees as of December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The table below sets forth the number of employees categorized by function as of September 30, 2013.

 

Function

   Number of employees  

Management and Administration

     9   

Sales, Marketing and Website Operation

     62   

Service and User Support

     98   

Technology and Product Development

     136   

Administrative Support

     48   
  

 

 

 

Total

     353   
  

 

 

 

 

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The remuneration package of our employees includes salary, bonus, stock options and other cash benefits. In accordance with applicable regulations in China, we participate in a pension contribution plan, a medical insurance plan, an unemployment insurance plan, a personal injury insurance plan, a maternity insurance plan and a housing reserve fund for the benefit of all of our employees. The total amounts for such employee benefits required by applicable regulations was RMB3.0 million, RMB5.0 million, RMB6.6 million (US$1.1 million) and RMB6.5 million (US$1.1 million) in 2010, 2011, 2012, and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

We have not experienced any material labor disputes or disputes with the labor department of the PRC government since our inception.

Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret protection laws in the PRC and other jurisdictions, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property and our brand. “500wan” is a registered trademark in the PRC owned by E-Sun Network. We have also registered domain names including “500wan.com,” “500wan.com.cn,” “500wan.cn,” “500wan.net.cn,” and “500.com.” We own 30 software copyright registrations in PRC through Guangtiandi Technology and E-Sun Sky Computer and E-Sun Sky Network as of October 15, 2013, mostly for our client software. We have registered 43 trademarks relating to “500wan” and 39 trademarks relating to “500.com” with the PRC Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, or the Trademark Office.

Facilities

Our principal executive offices are located at 500.com Building, Shenxianling Sports Center, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China and occupy a total of 8,188 square meters. We also have a representative office in Beijing. We lease our premises from unrelated third parties. Each of the lessors for the leased premises either has valid title to the property or has proper authorization from the title owner to sublease the property.

Legal Proceedings

We are currently involved in an arbitration proceeding in relation to a dispute over an online advertising contract, or Advertising Contract, entered into in September 2011 between E-Sun Sky Network and Beijing Tianying Chuangzhi Advertising Limited Company, or Tianying Chuangzhi. E-Sun Sky Network cease to perform the Advertising Contract due to Tianying Chuangzhi’s failure to meet certain performance targets as set forth in the Advertising Contract. In June 2013, Tianying Chuangzhi instituted the said arbitration before Beijing Arbitration Commission, claiming for the payment of RMB3.32 million and other arbitration expenses. We lodged a counterclaim in July 2013, counterclaiming for a refund of RMB786,067, other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and arbitration expenses. The arbitration application filed by Tianying Chuangzhi was accepted by Beijing Arbitration Commission on June 27, 2013 and our counterclaim application was accepted by the Beijing Arbitration Commission on July 25, 2013. We reached a conciliation agreement with Tianying Chuangzhi on November 4, 2013 pursuant to which we paid RMB2.8 million to Tianying Chuangzhi. We applied for withdrawal of our counterclaim application with Beijing Arbitration Commission on November 4, 2013 and Tianying Chuangzhi applied for withdrawal of the arbitration application with Beijing Arbitration Commission on November 6, 2013. We are currently waiting for the written decision of Beijing Arbitration Commission regarding the said withdrawals.

 

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REGULATIONS

This section sets forth a summary of the most significant regulations or requirements that affect our business activities in China or our shareholders’ rights to receive dividends and other distributions from us.

As regulations on the online lottery services industry are developing and evolving in China, authorities may adopt from time to time new laws and regulations that will address new issues or require us to obtain licenses and permits in addition to those that we currently have. As a result, substantial uncertainties exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of current and any future Chinese laws and regulations applicable to the online lottery services industry. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The rules and regulations on online lottery sales service market in China are relatively new and subject to interpretation, and their implementation involves uncertainty.

As an online lottery service provider in China, our core business is to provide services that enable our users to place purchase orders for national and provincial welfare and sports lotteries issued by the relevant authorities. In addition, we provide other services such as information services and user online forum service to our users. Our operations are subject to laws and regulations generally applicable to the telecommunication and Internet information services as well as laws and regulations governing the lottery services in particular.

We maintain policies and procedures to ensure that orders for lottery products from IP addresses from the United States will not be accepted through our websites. Accordingly, we do not believe our operations are subject to the regulatory authority of the United States.

Regulations on Lottery Services Industry and Online Lottery Sales

Since 1991, the Chinese government has promulgated a series of rules and regulations to regulate the lottery industry in China. The major rules and regulations currently in effect and applicable to our online lottery services include Regulation on Administration of Lottery, promulgated by the State Council on May 4, 2009 and effective as of July 1, 2009, or the Lottery Regulation, and the Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Sales of Lottery, promulgated by the MOF on September 26, 2010, or the Lottery Measures, and effective upon the promulgation. On January 18, 2012, the MOF, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sports of China jointly promulgated the Implementing Rules, which became effective on March 1, 2012. On February 28, 2012, General Administration of Sports of China promulgated the Urgent Notice. Under currently effective rules and regulations, only qualified service providers approved by the MOF may engage in online lottery sales. Such qualified service providers will act as agencies for the relevant lottery administration centers and must obtain a Lottery Agency License from and enter into lottery agency agreements with the competent lottery administration centers before engaging in lottery sales on their behalf.

Certain rules and regulations previously promulgated by the MOF and other regulatory authorities had previously prohibited the sales of lotteries through the Internet, but after the promulgation of the Lottery Measures those rules and regulations have ceased to have legal effect.

Online Lottery Sales

The Lottery Measures set forth detailed requirements for the administration of online lottery sales as well as the requirements for qualified online lottery service providers. According to the Lottery Measures, the MOF is the supervisory and regulatory body of online lottery sales in the PRC, and China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center and China Sports Lottery Administration Center (collectively, “Lottery Issuance Agencies”) are responsible for the overall planning and management of online lottery sales for welfare lottery and sports lottery, respectively. The Lottery Issuance Agencies may collaborate with other entities or authorize relevant lottery sales agencies to conduct online lottery sales, or appoint qualified entities as their online lottery sales agents. The Lottery Measures require qualified online lottery service providers to meet certain criteria, including, among others, that (i) they have a minimum registered capital of RMB50 million, (ii) they maintain adequate organizational, internal control and risk management systems, (iii) they and their senior management have a clean criminal and credit history for the past five years, and (iv) they have obtained an Internet content provider license. The Lottery Issuance Agencies are required to selectively submit to the MOF information on

 

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the online lottery service providers that apply to become qualified to engage in online lottery business under the Lottery Measures. Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center notified us that it submitted an application for qualification and approval for the online lottery sales services for sports lottery products that we provided on our websites to the China Sports Lottery Administration Center in January 2011, and that this application would be further submitted by China Sports Lottery Administration Center to the MOF for approval. In October 2012, we were notified by China Sports Lottery Administration Center that we were approved by the MOF to provide online sales services for sports lottery products on its behalf. Chongqing Welfare Lottery Administration Center notified us that it submitted an application for qualification and approval for the online lottery sales services for welfare lottery products to the China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center on November 15, 2010, and such application will be further submitted by the China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center to the MOF for approval. As of August 30, 2013, we were still waiting for notification from the Chongqing Welfare Lottery Administration Center with regard to the status of the application for welfare lottery products. Since the relevant regulations do not set forth a specific time limit for the MOF to issue such approval, it is not clear when we will be able to obtain the MOF’s approval, or at all.

Lottery Regulatory Authorities

Under the current regulations and provisions, the State Council is vested with the power to authorize the issuance of welfare lottery and sports lottery, and is also the highest authority for granting the right to issue lotteries. The MOF is responsible for administering, regulating and supervising the national lottery industry. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the General Administration of Sport of China are responsible for administering and regulating welfare lottery and sports lottery, respectively, and have established China Welfare Lottery Issuance and Administration Center and China Sports Lottery Administration Center, respectively, pursuant to regulations for the issuance and sales of welfare lottery and sports lottery. The civil affairs departments and sports administration departments of provincial governments are responsible for the administration of welfare lotteries and sports lotteries within their respective administrative regions. The following organization chart illustrates the overall governmental administrative authority in the China lottery operation:

 

LOGO

Regulations on Lottery Administration

On May 4, 2009, the State Council promulgated the Lottery Regulations, which set forth general provisions for the issuance, sales and administration of lottery products. According to the Lottery Regulations, the welfare

 

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and sports lotteries sold in China must be issued by the lottery issuance authorities, established by the civil affairs’ department and sports administration department of the PRC State Council, or the Lottery Issuance Agencies, and must be sold through Lottery Issuance Agencies or lottery sales offices established by the civil affairs’ departments and sports administration departments of the people’s government at the provincial level (“Lottery Sales Agencies”). Lottery Issuance Agencies and Lottery Sales Agencies may, by entering into agency agreements, appoint other entities or individuals as their agents in distributing lotteries. The Lottery Regulation also listed circumstances where the Lottery Issuance Agencies and Lottery Sales Agencies may terminate such agency agreements, including situations where the agent subcontracts the sales of the lottery products to any other persons or entities or sells lottery products to underage buyers.

The Lottery Regulations prohibits the Lottery Issuance Agencies, the Lottery Sales Agencies and their sales agents from (i) advertising false or misleading information, (ii) competing unfairly by discrediting others in the same industry, (iii) selling lottery or paying lottery prizes to underage purchasers and (iv) selling lottery on credit. If the Lottery Issuance Agencies or the Lottery Sales Agencies fail to comply with these requirements, the MOF or its relevant branches will have the power to (i) require the Lottery Issuance Agencies or the Lottery Sales Agencies to correct or cease their operations; (ii) confiscate the illegal income received by the Lottery Issuance Agencies or the Lottery Sales Agencies and impose fines; and/or (iii) impose administrative sanctions against persons that are responsible. If any lottery sales agent sells lotteries to the underage buyers, its relevant income may be confiscated and it may be subject to administrative fines up to RMB10,000, and the Lottery Issuance Agencies or the Lottery Sales Agencies may have the right to terminate the agency agreement with the lottery sales agent. In addition, the Lottery Measures prohibits the opening of online lottery accounts for or the granting of lottery prizes to underage buyers.

Prior to the promulgation of the Lottery Regulation, the issuance and sales of the lottery products were governed by the Interim Provisions for the Administration of the Lottery Issuance and Sales, or the Interim Provisions, promulgated by the MOF on March 1, 2002. The Interim Provisions were replaced by the Administrative Measures for Lottery Issuance and Sales promulgated by the MOF on December 28, 2012. The Administrative Measures for Lottery Issuance and Sales provided that any Lottery Issuance Agency, which wishes to apply to create, change or abolish a specific type of welfare or sports lottery, is required to apply to the Ministry of Civil Affairs or the General Administration of Sport of China for creating, changing or abolishing a specific type of welfare or sports lottery. If the application has been approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs or the General Administration of Sport of China, such application will be further submitted to the MOF for the MOF’s examination and approval before the implementation. After the creation or change of specific type of welfare or sports lottery has been approved by the MOF, the Lottery Issuance Agency receiving MOF approval or its related Lottery Sales Agencies shall submit sales implementation plans to the MOF or its provincial counterparts for approval prior to the sales of the specific type of lottery. The sales implementation plan shall include, among other things, the proposed sales commencement date, promotion plans and risk control measures. In order to sell the specific type of welfare or sports lottery so created or changed, the Lottery Issuance Agencies or the Lottery Sales Agencies may engage specific sales agents by entering into lottery sales agency agreements with such sales agents.

Regulation of Telecommunication Services

The telecommunication industry, including the Internet sector, is highly regulated in China. Regulations issued or implemented by the State Council of China, the MIIT, and other relevant government authorities cover many aspects of the operation of telecommunication and the Internet information services, including access to the telecommunication industry, the scope of permissible business activities, and licenses and permits required for various business activities and foreign investment.

The principal regulations governing telecommunication and Internet information services include:

 

   

the Telecommunication Regulations promulgated by the State Council on September 25, 2000;

 

   

the Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating License promulgated by the MIIT on March 5, 2009; and

 

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the Catalogue of Classes of Telecommunications Businesses promulgated by the Ministry of Information Industry, former of MIIT, also as MIIT on February 21, 2003.

Under these regulations, telecommunication services in China are categorized as either basic telecommunication services or value-added telecommunication services, both of which require relevant operating licenses.

Regulations on Value-Added Telecommunication and Internet Information Services

On September 25, 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunication Regulations, or the Telecom Regulations. The Telecom Regulations categorize all telecommunication businesses in the PRC as either basic or value-added. Value-added telecommunication services are defined as telecommunication and information services provided through public network infrastructure. The “Catalog of Classes of Telecommunication Business,” an attachment to the Telecom Regulations and updated by the MII’s Notice on Adjusting the Catalog of the Class of Telecommunication Business, effective from April 1, 2003, categorizes various types of telecommunication and telecommunication-related activities into basic or value-added telecommunication services, according to which, Internet content provision services, or ICP services, are classified as value-added telecommunication businesses, or VAS business. Under the Telecom Regulations, commercial operators of value-added telecommunication services must first obtain an operating license for value-added telecommunication services, or the VAS license, from the MIIT or its provincial level counterparts before commencing any operations.

The State Council issued the Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services, or the Internet Measures, on September 25, 2000 and subsequently amended the Internet Measures on January 8, 2011. According to the Internet Measures, a commercial ICP service operator must obtain an VAS license from the relevant government authorities before providing any commercial ICP service within the PRC. When the ICP service involves regulated industries, such as news, publication, education, medicine, health, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, prior approval from the respective regulating authorities must be obtained prior to applying for the VAS license from MIIT or its local branch at the provincial level. Moreover, an ICP service operator must display its VAS license number in a conspicuous location on its website and must monitor its website to remove categories of harmful content that are broadly defined.

On December 26, 2001, the MIIT promulgated the Administrative Measures for Telecommunication Business Operating License, or the Telecom License Measures. On March 5, 2009, the MIIT issued amended Telecom License Measures, which took effect on April 10, 2009. The Telecom License Measures set forth more specific provisions regarding the types of licenses required to operate value-added telecommunication services, the qualifications and procedures for obtaining such licenses and the administration and supervision of such licenses. For example, the appendix to the VAS license is to detail the permitted activities to be conducted by the VAS operator and the VAS operator must conduct its business in accordance with the specifications recorded on its VAS license. The VAS license is subject to annual review and results of the annual review is to be recorded as an appendix to the VAS license, published to the public and notified to the Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Currently, E-Sun Sky Network holds a regional value-added telecommunication business operating license issued by MIIT, that is effective until September 5, 2017, for providing Internet information services within the Guangdong province.

Regulations on Internet Content Services

Under various laws and regulations governing ICP services, ICP services operators are required to monitor and censor the content on their websites. They may not produce, duplicate, post or disseminate, and must remove from their websites, any content that falls within the prohibited categories, including any content that: (i) opposes the fundamental principles determined in the PRC constitution; (ii) compromises state security, divulges state secrets, subverts state power or damages national unity; (iii) harms the dignity or interests of the State, incites ethnic hatred or racial discrimination or damages inter-ethnic unity; (iv) sabotages China’s religious policy or

 

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propagates heretical teachings or feudal superstitions; (v) disseminates rumors, disturbs social order or disrupts social stability; (vi) propagates obscenity, pornography, gambling, violence, murder or fear or incites the commission of crimes; (vii) insults or slanders a third party or infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party; or (viii) or includes other content prohibited by laws or administrative regulations.

The PRC government may shut down the websites of VAS license holders that violate any of the content restrictions and requirements, revoke their VAS licenses or impose other penalties pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations.

Regulations on Foreign Investment in Lottery and Value-Added Telecommunications Services.

According to the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (the “Guidance Catalogue”) jointly promulgated by the National Development & Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce on December 24, 2011 and effective from January 30, 2012, foreign investments are not allowed to operate in the lottery industry. As the development of the lottery industry is still in its early stage, there are no further regulations relating to foreign investment in the lottery industry.

Under the Guidance Catalogue, foreign ownership in value-added telecommunication services shall not exceed 50%. Aside from the Guidance Catalogue, the Regulations for Administration of Foreign-Invested Telecommunication Enterprises, or the FITE Regulations, promulgated by the State Council on December 11, 2001 and amended on September 10, 2008, set forth detailed requirements with respect to, among other things, capitalization, investor qualifications and application procedures in connection with the establishment of a foreign-invested telecommunication enterprise. Under the FITE Regulations, a foreign entity is prohibited from owning more than 50% of the total equity interest in any value-added telecommunication service providers in China and the major foreign investor in any value-added telecommunication service business in China is to have a good track record in the industry.

On July 13, 2006, the MIIT issued the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and Operation of Value-added Telecommunication Business. Under this circular, a domestic PRC company that holds a VAS license is prohibited from leasing, transferring or selling the VAS license to foreign investors in any form, and from providing any assistance, including resources, sites or facilities, to foreign investors that conduct value-added telecommunication business illegally in China. Further, the domain names and registered trademarks used by an operating company providing value-added telecommunication service is to be legally owned by a domestic PRC company and/or its shareholders. In addition, the company’s operation premises and equipment would have to comply with its approved VAS license, and the company should establish and improve its internal Internet and information security policies and standards and emergency management procedures.

We conduct our businesses in China primarily through contractual arrangements. E-Sun Sky Computer has contractual arrangements with each of our consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders. There is no explicit provision under the Guidance Catalogue, the FITE Regulations or the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Investment in and Operation of Value-added Telecommunication Business, which classifies the contractual arrangements between our PRC subsidiary and each of our consolidated affiliated entities, including, among others, the Equity Interests Pledge Agreements and the Irrevocable Power of Attorney, either by each agreement itself or taken as a whole, as a transaction that is subject to the approval of relevant government authorities. E-Sun Sky Network currently holds a regional VAS business operating license.

Regulations on Intellectual Property

Trademark

The PRC Trademark Law, adopted on August 23, 1982 and amended in 1993 and 2001, protects the proprietary rights of registered trademarks. The Trademark Office handles trademark registrations and grants proprietary rights for an initial term of 10 years to registered trademarks. Upon the expiration of the initial term, a second term of 10 years may be granted upon renewal. Trademark licensing agreements must be filed with the Trademark Office or its regional offices. In addition, if a registered trademark is recognized as a well-known

 

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trademark in a specific case, proprietary rights of the trademark holder may be extended beyond the registered scope of products and services to which the trademark relates.

Software Products

On October 27, 2000, the MIIT issued the Administrative Measures on Software Products, or the Software Measures, to strengthen the regulation of software products and to encourage the development of the PRC software industry. On March 5, 2009, the MIIT issued amended Software Measures, which became effective on April 10, 2009. The Software Measures provide a registration and filing system with respect to software products made in or imported into China. These software products may be registered with competent local authorities in charge of software industry administration. Registered software products may enjoy preferential treatment status granted by relevant software industry regulations. Software products can be registered for five years and the registration is renewable upon expiration.

In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations, promulgated by the State Council on December 20, 2001 and amended on January 30, 2013, the National Copyright Administration of the PRC issued Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures on February 20, 2002, which apply to the registration of the software copyright, licensing agreements and transfer agreements.

Domain Names

The Implementing Rules for Domain Name Registration, issued and amended by China Internet Network Information Center, or CNNIC, in September 2002 and May 2012, respectively, sets forth detailed rules for the registration of domain names. On November 5, 2004, the MIIT promulgated the Measures for Administration of Domain Names for the Chinese Internet, or the Domain Name Measures. The Domain Name Measures regulate the registration of domain names, such as the first-tier domain name “.cn.” The Measures on Domain Name Dispute Resolution and its implementing rules, issued and amended by CNNIC in February 2006 and May 2012, respectively, allows the CNNIC to authorize a domain name dispute resolution institution to resolve disputes.

Regulations on Foreign Exchange

Regulations on Foreign Exchange Registration of Overseas Investment by PRC Residents

In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 75 states that PRC citizens or residents must register with the relevant local SAFE branch or central SAFE in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving a roundtrip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the PRC citizens or residents. In addition, such PRC citizens or residents must amend their SAFE registrations when the offshore special purpose company undergoes material events relating to increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, mergers or divisions, long-term equity or debt investments, external guarantees, or other material events that do not involve roundtrip investments. Since May 2007, SAFE has issued guidance to its local branches regarding the operational procedures for such registration, which provides more specific and stringent requirements on the registration relating to SAFE Circular 75. The latest guidance was issued by SAFE on November 19, 2012 and took effect on December 17, 2012.

We conduct businesses in China primarily through our consolidated affiliated entities. We enter into contractual arrangements with our PRC consolidated affiliated entities and their respective shareholders, including Ping Yuan, Jiepin Fu, Bo Zou, Ying Zou, He Li and Xue Li, who are PRC residents and also beneficial owners of our company. As of the date of this prospectus, Yuan Ping, Jiepin Fu, Zou Bo, Ying Zou, Li He, Li Xue and Man San Law have completed their SAFE Circular 75 registrations with the Shenzhen branch of SAFE and they are expected to update and amend such registrations to reflect the development of our company, including reservation of ordinary shares under our 2011 share incentive plan, the redemption and issuance of our ordinary shares in 2012, Xiaojun Xu ceasing to be our beneficial shareholder, the issuance and sales of the

 

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convertible note and exchangeable notes, the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, recent change of our company name, the issuance and sales of our ordinary shares in October 2013 and this offering. However, we cannot assure you that Ping Yuan, Jiepin Fu, Bo Zou, Ying Zou, He Li, Xue Li and Man San Law can successfully amend their foreign exchange registrations with SAFE in full compliance with Circular 75 after this offering. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—A failure by our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC citizens or residents to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities or subject us to liability under PRC laws, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.”

Regulations on Employee Stock Option Granted by Offshore Listed Companies

In December 2006, the People’s Bank of China promulgated the Administrative Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange, or the Individual Foreign Exchange Regulations, setting forth the requirements for foreign exchange transactions by individuals (both PRC and non-PRC citizens) under the current account and the capital account. In January 2007, SAFE issued the implementation rules for the Individual Foreign Exchange Regulations, which, among other things, specified the approval and registration requirement for certain capital account transactions, such as a PRC citizen’s participation in employee share ownership and share option plans of overseas listed companies.

The Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Share Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, or the Share Option Rules, promulgated by SAFE on February 15, 2012, replacing the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Share Ownership Plans, or Share Option Plans of Overseas Publicly-Listed Companies, issued by SAFE on March 28, 2007, require (i) PRC residents who are granted shares or share options by companies listed on overseas share exchanges based on share incentive plans to register with SAFE or its local branches, and (ii) PRC residents participating in the share incentive plans of an overseas publicly-listed companies to retain a qualified PRC agent, which could be a PRC subsidiary of the overseas publicly-listed company or another qualified institution selected by such PRC subsidiary, to conduct the SAFE registration and other procedures with respect to the share incentive plans on behalf of these participants.

Such participants must also retain an overseas entrusted institution to handle matters in connection with their exercise of share options, purchase and sale of corresponding shares or interests, and fund transfer. In addition, the PRC agents are required to amend the SAFE registration with respect to the share incentive plan if there is any material change to the share incentive plan, the PRC agents, or the overseas entrusted institution. The PRC agents shall, on behalf of the PRC residents who have the right to exercise the employee share options, apply to SAFE or its local branches for an annual quota for the payment of foreign currencies in connection with the PRC residents’ exercise of the employee share options. The foreign exchange proceeds received by the PRC residents from the sale of shares granted under the share incentive plans and dividends distributed by the overseas listed companies must be remitted into the bank accounts in the PRC opened by the PRC agents before distribution to such PRC residents. In addition, the PRC agents is to file the form for record-filing of information of the domestic individuals participating in the share incentive plans of overseas listed companies with SAFE or its local branches every quarter. We and our PRC citizen employees who have been granted share options will be subject to these rules upon the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NYSE.

M&A Regulations and Overseas Listings

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, promulgated the 2006 M&A Rules, which were later amended on June 22, 2009. Pursuant to the 2006 M&A Rules, an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, refers to an overseas company controlled directly or indirectly by PRC domestic companies or individuals for purposes of overseas listing of equity interests in domestic companies (defined as enterprises in the PRC other than foreign-invested enterprises). If an SPV purchases, for the purpose of overseas listing, equity interests of any PRC company that are held by PRC companies or individuals controlling such SPV, then the overseas listing by the SPV must obtain the approval of the CSRC. The application of the 2006 M&A Rules

 

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remains unclear and there is currently no consensus among PRC law firms regarding the scope of CSRC’s jurisdiction. As of the date of this prospectus, the CSRC has not issued any rules or written interpretation clarifying whether offerings like ours under this prospectus are subject to this new procedure.

Our PRC counsel, Han Kun Law Offices, has advised us that the 2006 M&A Rules do not require us to obtain prior CSRC approval for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the NYSE, given that:

 

   

the CSRC approval requirement applies to SPVs that acquired equity interests of any PRC company that are held by PRC companies or individuals controlling such SPV and seek overseas listing; and

 

   

our PRC operating subsidiary was incorporated as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise by means of direct investment rather than by merger or acquisition by our company of the equity interest or assets of any “domestic company” as defined under the 2006 M&A Rules, and no provision in the 2006 M&A Rules classifies the contractual arrangements between our company, our PRC operating subsidiary and any of the affiliated consolidated entities as a type of acquisition transaction falling under the 2006 M&A Rules.

Regulations on Foreign Currency Exchange

Pursuant to applicable PRC regulations on foreign currency exchange, the Renminbi is freely convertible only to the extent that it relates to current account items, such as trade-related receipts and payments, interest and dividends. Capital account items, such as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, require the prior approval from the SAFE or its local branch for conversion of Renminbi into a foreign currency, such as U.S. dollars. Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in Renminbi. Domestic companies or individuals can repatriate foreign currency payments received from abroad into the PRC, or deposit these payments abroad, subject to compliance with the requirements promulgated by the SAFE. Foreign currencies received for current account items can be either retained or sold to financial institutions that have foreign exchange settlement or sales business without prior approval from the SAFE, subject to certain regulations. Foreign exchange income under capital account can be retained or sold to financial institutions that have foreign exchange settlement and sales business, with prior approval from the SAFE, unless otherwise provided.

In addition, another notice issued by the SAFE, the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or Circular 142, regulates the conversion by foreign-invested enterprises of foreign currency into Renminbi by restricting how the converted Renminbi may be used. Circular 142 requires that Renminbi converted from the foreign currency-dominated capital of a foreign-invested enterprise may only be used for purposes within the business scope approved by the relevant government authority and may not be used to make equity investments in the PRC, unless specifically provided otherwise. The SAFE further strengthened its oversight over the flow and use of Renminbi funds converted from the foreign currency-dominated capital of a foreign-invested enterprise. The use of such Renminbi may not be changed without approval from the SAFE, and may not be used to repay Renminbi loans if the proceeds of such loans have not yet been used. Any violation of Circular 142 may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines. On November 9, 2011, SAFE issued the Notice on Further Clarifying and Standardizing Related Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for Part of Capital Account Items to further regulate the payment and settlement of foreign currency exchange of foreign-invested enterprises.

Regulations on Dividend Distribution

Under applicable PRC laws and regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund statutory reserve funds, unless these reserves have reached 50% of the registered capital of the respective enterprises. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.

 

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Regulations Regarding the Enterprise Income Tax and Dividend Withholding Tax

The EIT Law, effective on January 1, 2008, imposes a uniform enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on all domestic enterprises, including foreign-invested enterprises unless they qualify for certain exceptions, and terminates most of the tax exemptions, reductions and preferential treatments available under previous tax laws and regulations. Under the EIT Law and a notice issued by the PRC State Council on transition preferential policies, commencing January 1, 2008, (i) those enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and were formerly entitled to preferential policies of lower taxation will undergo a gradual transition to statutory tax rates within five years; and (ii) those enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and were formerly entitled to preferential income tax reduction policies, such as “two-years exempt and three-years halved” and “five-years exempt and five-years halved”, shall continue to enjoy such preferential policies as stipulated in the former taxation laws, administrative regulations and relevant documents until the end of the terms of these policies, provided however that for those enterprises not profitable enough to enjoy the aforementioned tax preferences, the preference time limits shall commence from 2008.

Pursuant to the EIT Law and its Implementation Rules, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC EIT purposes. The term “de facto management body” is defined as the establishment that carries out substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and business operation, production, personnel, accounting and properties of an enterprise. Pursuant to Circular 82, a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following requirements are satisfied: (i) the place where the senior management and core management departments that are in charge of its daily operations perform their duties is mainly located in the PRC; (ii) its financial and human resources decisions are made by or are subject to approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the enterprise’s directors or senior management with voting rights frequently reside in the PRC. Although the circular only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises and not those controlled by PRC individuals or foreigners, it is believed that the determining criteria set forth in the circular may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises, individuals or foreigners. However, given that the EIT Law is relatively new and contains ambiguous definitions, requirements and procedures, it remains uncertain how tax authorities will determine tax residency status based on the facts of each case.

Furthermore, the EIT Law and its Implementation Rules provide that the “non-resident enterprises” are subject to the EIT rate of 10% on their income derived from China, if such “non-resident enterprises” (i) do not have establishments or premises of business in China or (ii) have establishments or premises of business in China, but the relevant income does not have actual connection with their establishments or premises of business in China. Such income tax may be exempted or reduced by the PRC State Council or pursuant to a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding agreement between China and the jurisdictions in which the non-resident enterprise reside. The Cayman Islands, where we are incorporated, does not have such tax treaty with China.

Under the Foreign Invested Enterprise and Foreign Enterprise Income Tax Law, effective prior to January 1, 2008, dividends paid to foreign investors by foreign-invested enterprises were exempt from PRC withholding tax. Pursuant to the EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, dividends generated after January 1, 2008 and payable by a foreign-invested enterprise in China to its foreign investors will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement and the foreign investor is approved by competent tax authorities as the beneficial owners of such dividends under applicable tax regulations.

Furthermore, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice on How to Understand and Determine the Beneficial Owners in Tax Agreement in October 2009, or Circular 601, which provides guidance for

 

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determining whether a resident of a contracting state is the “beneficial owner” of an item of income under China’s tax treaties and tax arrangements. According to Circular 601, a beneficial owner must generally be engaged in substantive business activities. An agent or conduit company will not be regarded as a beneficial owner and, therefore, will not qualify for treaty benefits.

Moreover, non-resident individual investors may be required to pay PRC individual income tax at a rate of 20% on interests or dividends payable to the investors or any capital gains realized from the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares if such gains are deemed income derived from sources within the PRC. Under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law, or IIT Law, a “non-resident individual” refers to an individual who has no domicile in China and does not stay in the territory of China or who has no domicile in China and has stayed in the territory of China for less than one year. Pursuant to the IIT Law and its implementation rules, for purposes of the PRC capital gains tax, taxable income is the balance of the total income obtained from the transfer of the ADSs or ordinary shares minus all the costs and expenses that are permitted under PRC tax laws to be deducted from the income. Therefore, if we are considered a PRC “resident enterprise” and the relevant competent PRC tax authorities consider dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares and the gains realized from the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares to be income derived from sources within the PRC, such gains earned by non-resident individuals may also be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%.

If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a “resident enterprise” for PRC EIT purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow: (i) we may be subject to EIT at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations; (ii) a 10% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends we pay to our shareholders who are non-resident enterprises and gains derived by them from transferring our shares or ADSs, if such income is considered as PRC-sourced income by relevant PRC authorities; and (iii) a potential 20% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends we pay to our shareholders who are non-resident individuals and gains derived by them from transferring our shares or ADSs, if such income is considered as PRC-sourced income by relevant PRC authorities.

Pursuant to SAT Circular 698, issued by the SAT, on December 10, 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, where a non-resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise through an Indirect Transfer, and such overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that: (i) has an effective tax rate less than 12.5% or (ii) does not tax foreign income of its residents, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, shall report to the relevant tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise this Indirect Transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10%. SAT Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction.

There is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Circular 698. For example, while the term “Indirect Transfer” is not clearly defined, it is understood that the relevant PRC tax authorities have jurisdiction regarding requests for information over a wide range of foreign entities having no direct contact with China. Moreover, the relevant authority has not yet promulgated any formal provisions or formally declared or stated how to calculate the effective tax rates in foreign tax jurisdictions, and the process and format of reporting an Indirect Transfer to the relevant tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise. In addition, there are no formal declarations with regard to how to determine whether a foreign investor has adopted an abusive arrangement in order to reduce, avoid or defer PRC tax.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information relating to our directors and executive officers as of the date of this prospectus. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers is 500.com Building, Shenxianling Sports Center, Longgang District, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

  Age   

Position/Title

Man San Law

  45    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Qi Li

  44    Director

Jiepin Fu

  46    Director

Qian Sun

  40    Director

Jinping Ma

  47    Independent Director

Jun Niu

  48    Independent Director

Honghui Deng

  44    Independent Director

Zhe Wei

  43    Independent Director

Min Fan*

  48    Independent Director

Catherine Qin Zhang*

  48    Independent Director

Yu Wei*

  44    Independent Director

Zhengming Pan

  36    Chief Financial Officer

Lei Zheng

  33   

Chief Operating Officer

Punleung Liu

  35    Chief Risk Officer

Zhaofu Tian

  38    Chief Technology Officer

Ying Zou

  35    Vice President

 

  * The appointment will become effective upon the effectiveness of our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Mr. Man San Law is our founder, chairman of our board of directors and chief executive officer. Mr. Law founded E-Sun Network Co., Ltd. in 1999 and has been a pioneer in the online lottery service industry having focused on this field since 2001. Mr. Law oversees the strategic direction of our company and has transformed our company from a small start-up to an established and leading online lottery service provider in China. From 1990 to 1999, Mr. Law served in various positions at Shenzhen Yangguang Co., Ltd. Mr. Law received a bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University in 1990, and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in 2009.

Mr. Qi Li has served as a director of our company since January 2010. Before joining us, Mr. Li held many senior management positions, including chairman and CEO of Beijing Fragrance Forever Investment Co. Ltd. from 2006 to 2010, CEO and president of Shenzhen Changan New Media Co., Ltd. from 2004 to 2006, executive president at Yundianguangcai Investment Co. Ltd. from 2002 to 2004, and head of investment securities department in China Finance Institute from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Li has over 10 years of experience in the Internet service industry. Mr. Li received a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Beijing University of Science & Technology in 1991, a master’s degree in engineering of Beijing University of Science and Technology in 1994, and a Ph.D. in economics from Renmin University of China in 1997.

Mr. Jiepin Fu has served as a director of our company since September 2007. Mr. Fu also serves as chairman of the board of directors of China High-Speed (Holding) Limited and served as the executive director

 

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of China High-Speed (Group) Co., Ltd., a company listed on Hong Kong stock exchange, from 2004 to 2009, and a director of Huayu Expressway Group Limited since 2009. Before 2004, Mr. Fu has over 10 years of experience in administrative management in public security research center of Guangdong province, personnel exchange center of Guangdong province, and Shenzhen Huayu Investment and Development Group. Mr. Fu received a bachelor’s degree from Sun Yat-Sen University in 1989.

Mr. Qian Sun has served as our director from October 21, 2013. Mr. Sun is a managing director of Sequoia Capital China, where he focuses on consumer and technology related investment. Prior to joining Sequoia Capital China in 2006, Mr. Sun worked at General Atlantic from 2003 to 2005, focusing on technology related growth investment in China. He also worked as a management consultant at Monitor Group in Hong Kong from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Sun received a BA degree in applied mathematics from Harvard College in 1997, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2003.

Mr. Jinping Ma has served as our independent director since May 2013. Mr. Ma has also served as the chief executive officer of Huishang Investment Management Ltd., Co. since 2005. Mr. Ma served as an investment manager at Hongfu Capital Management from 2002 to 2005, and as an attorney at Nutrexpa Food Co., Ltd. from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Ma received a Bachelor’s degree from Shaanxi Normal University, a master’s degree in law from China University of Political Science and Law, an LLM degree from McGill University and an MBA from INSEAD.

Mr. Jun Niu has served as our independent director since May 2011. Mr. Niu has also served as the chairman of the board of directors of the Foshan XinJinSheng Electronic Co., Ltd since September 2004. Mr. Niu served as the general manager of the Foshan XinJinSheng Electronic Co., Ltd from September 2004 to October 2007. Mr. Niu was the chairman of the board of directors and the general manager of Shenzhen Zhichengwei Optical Disc Production Co., Ltd., a state owned enterprise, from August 2000 to July 2004. Mr. Niu held different positions in a number of PRC government authorities from July 1986 to August 2004. Mr. Niu received a bachelor’s degree in law from the NorthWest College of Politics and Law (now known as NorthWest University of Politics and Law) in July 1986, and a master’s degree in economics and administration from the Party School of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July 2002.

Mr. Honghui Deng has served as our independent director since May 2011. Mr. Deng has served as a fellow at the Innovation Creativity Capital Institute (IC2) of the University of Texas at Austin since 2010. He has taught as an EMBA/MBA professor at Peking University Guanghua School of Management since 2005. He has also taught as an assistant professor and associate professor at the School of Business of University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 2003. Mr. Deng was the founder and served as the chief executive officer of HHD Consulting Service LLC from 2003 to 2008. Mr. Deng has extensive consulting experiences for business firms on long-term strategy, finance and management. Mr. Deng received a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering and business administration from the School of Electronic Engineering of Chongqing University in 1990 and 1994, and a Ph.D. degree in business administration from University of Texas at Austin in 2003.

Mr. Zhe Wei has served as our independent director from October 21, 2013. Mr. Wei is the founding partner and Chairman of Vision Knight Capital. Prior to that, Mr. Wei was the CEO of Alibaba.com Limited from 2006 to 2011. Mr. Wei worked in Kingfisher plc from 2000 to 2006, and was chief representative for Kingfisher’s Asia sourcing office, and also the CFO then CEO of B&Q China, a subsidiary of Kingfisher plc. Mr. Wei was also head of investment banking of Orient Securities Co. and then corporate finance manager at Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Wei was also the vice president of China Chain Store & Franchise Association and is a Director of PCCW Limited. Mr. Wei holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Management from Shanghai International Studies University and is a graduate of the corporate finance program at the London Business School.

Mr. Min Fan will serve as our independent director from the effective date of our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Mr. Fan is the co-founder of Ctrip.com International, Ltd. in 1999, and has served as the chief executive officer of Ctrip.com International Ltd. since 2006. Mr. Fan is now Vice Chairman and President of Ctrip.com International Ltd.. Mr. Fan graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University in 1990 with an industrial management engineering bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

 

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Ms. Catherine Qin Zhang will serve as our independent director from the effective date of our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Ms. Catherine Qin Zhang has served as AutoNavi Holdings Ltd.’s director, president, and chief operating officer since August 2013. Prior to that, Ms. Zhang had previously served as the AutoNavi Holdings Ltd.’s chief financial officer since 2006. Prior to joining AutoNavi Holdings Ltd., Ms. Zhang held management positions at the finance and business operation divisions of UTStarcom from April 2003 to July 2006. Ms. Zhang also has extensive experience in financial accounting, auditing and consulting from her time at Deloitte & Touche LLP, Sara Lee Corporation, Accrue Software Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. from January 1994 to April 2003. Ms. Zhang is a certified public accountant in the states of California and Illinois. Ms. Zhang received a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Peking University and a post baccalaureate certificate in accountancy from Oregon State University.

Mr. Yu Wei will serve as our independent director from the effective date of our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Mr. Wei is the founder and director of Artix International Group Co., Ltd. Mr. Wei has served as vice president of China Railway Modern Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. since 2007 and vice president of . Mr. Wei of Guiyang Longyuan Realestate Co., Ltd. since 2011. Mr. Wei has served as director in Guangxi Dirun Mining Industry Investment Co., Ltd. and Beijing Happy Forever Investment Management Co., Ltd. in 2011 and 2012, and has served as vice president of Guangzhou China Railway Taibo Real Estate Co., Ltd. since 2013. Mr. Wei graduated from Beijing Jiaotong University, Institute of Economics and Logistics in 1990, and received an EMBA degree from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in 2009.

Mr. Zhengming Pan has served as our chief financial officer since April 2011. Prior to joining us, Mr. Pan served as a vice president at Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch from 2007 to April 2011 and an attorney at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Pan received a Master of Law degree and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University Law School in 2001 and 2003, respectively, a Master of Law degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2000 and a bachelor’s degree in law from Fudan University in 1999.

Mr. Lei Zheng has served as our chief operating officer since 2009. Mr. Zheng has 10 years of experience in the information technology industry. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Zheng worked at Shenzhen Youshou Digital Co., Ltd. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Zheng worked at Tencent Inc. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Zheng worked at Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Mr. Zheng received a bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University in 2001.

Mr. Ying Zou has served as our vice president since 2005. Mr. Ying Zou is currently in charge of our mobile department. From September 2007 to March 2011, he served as a director of our company. Mr. Zou has over 10 years of experience in the Internet service industry. Mr. Zou has served as a vice president of E-Sun Sky Network, in charge of operations and marketing, since its establishment in 2006. Mr. Zou served in various positions, such as vice president and manager of the technology department, in E-Sun Network from its establishment in 1999 to 2006. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. Zou worked at Shenzhen Nuclear Power Corporation. Mr. Zou received a bachelor’s degree from Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping in 1998.

Mr. Punleung Liu joined our company in February 2011 and was appointed as our chief risk officer in August 2013. Prior to joining us, Mr. Liu served in various positions at Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited, Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP and Ernst & Young Hong Kong since 2000. Mr. Liu is a member of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Institute of Internal Auditors. Mr. Liu received a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the City University of Hong Kong in 2000.

Mr. Zhaofu Tian has served as our chief technology officer since October 2012. Mr. Tian has over 10 years of experience in the information technology industry. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Tian served as a director in Tencent Engineering. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Tian worked in UTStarcom Shenzhen R&D Center. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Tian worked in SONY Precise Devices (Huizhou) Co. LTD. Mr. Tian received a bachelor’s degree from Harbin Institute of Technology in 1997, a master degree from Harbin Institute of Technology in 2001, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2011.

Duties of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to act honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence and skills that they actually

 

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possess and such care and diligence as a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

   

convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;

 

   

issuing authorized but unissued shares;

 

   

declaring dividends and distributions;

 

   

exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company;

 

   

approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our register of members; and

 

   

exercising any other powers conferred by the shareholders’ meetings or under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Terms of Directors and Executive Officers

We will initially have 11 directors, seven of whom will be independent directors, on our board of directors upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Any director on our board may be appointed or removed by way of an ordinary resolution of shareholders. Any vacancies on our board of directors or additions to the existing board of directors can be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, provided that any candidate for the vacancy or addition must be nominated by our nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of our directors holds office until he or she is removed by an ordinary resolution of shareholders or by a resolution of the board.

All of our executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. Our executive officers are elected by and may be removed by a majority vote of our board of directors, provided that any candidate for an executive officer position must be nominated by our nominating and corporate governance committee.

Board Committees

Our board of directors will establish an audit committee, a compensation committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee and a strategy committee upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Our board of directors can amend the charter of a committee by the affirmative vote of two thirds of the directors.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee will initially consist of Catherine Qin Zhang, Min Fan and Jun Niu. Catherine Qin Zhang will be the chairman of our audit committee. Catherine Qin Zhang satisfies the criteria of an audit committee financial expert as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC. All three committee members satisfy the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of NYSE rules and will meet the criteria for independence set forth in Rule 10A-3 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

The audit committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

selecting the independent auditor;

 

   

pre-approving auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditor;

 

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annually reviewing the independent auditor’s report describing the auditing firm’s internal quality control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality control review, or peer review, of the independent auditors and all relationships between the independent auditor and our company;

 

   

setting clear hiring policies for employees and former employees of the independent auditors;

 

   

reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;

 

   

reviewing and approving all related party transactions on an ongoing basis;

 

   

reviewing and discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditor;

 

   

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditors major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations;

 

   

reviewing reports prepared by management or the independent auditors relating to significant financial reporting issues and judgments;

 

   

discussing earnings press releases with management, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies;

 

   

reviewing with management and the independent auditors the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on our financial statements;

 

   

discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management with management, internal auditors and the independent auditor;

 

   

timely reviewing reports from the independent auditor regarding all critical accounting policies and practices to be used by our company, all alternative treatments of financial information within U.S. GAAP that have been discussed with management and all other material written communications between the independent auditor and management;

 

   

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received from our employees regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

   

annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee charter;

 

   

such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit committee by our board of directors from time to time;

 

   

meeting separately, periodically, with management, internal auditors and the independent auditor; and

 

   

reporting regularly to the full board of directors.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee will initially consist of Qi Li, Jinping Ma and Zhe Wei. Qi Li will be the chairman of our compensation committee. Jinping Ma and Zhe Wei satisfy the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of NYSE rules.

Our compensation committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and evaluating and, if necessary, revising our compensation policy;

 

   

reviewing and evaluating the performance of our executive officers and determining the compensation of our executive officers;

 

   

reviewing and approving our executive officers’ employment agreements and severance arrangements, if any;

 

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reviewing and evaluating the performance of our directors and recommending to our board the compensation for our directors;

 

   

reviewing all annual bonus, long-term incentive compensation, share option, employee pension and welfare benefit plans, setting performance targets of the executive officers under all annual bonus and long-term incentive compensation plans as appropriate, certifying that any and all performance targets of the executive officers have been met, and granting any awards under any performance-based annual bonus, long-term incentive compensation and equity compensation plans to the executive officers;

 

   

periodically reviewing our policies concerning perquisite benefits, change of control or “parachute” payments, if any;

 

   

reviewing and approving our executive officer and director indemnification and insurance matters; and

 

   

such other matters that are specifically delegated to the compensation committee by our board of directors from time to time.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will initially consist of Man San Law, Qian Sun and Yu Wei. Man San Law will be the chairman of our nominating and corporate governance committee. Yu Wei satisfies the requirements for an “independent director” within the meaning of NYSE rules. Our nominating and corporate governance committee assists the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and executive officers and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

   

identifying qualified candidates as consistent with the criteria approved by our board of directors for director nominees and recommending such candidates to the board for selection for all directorships to be filled by the board or by the shareholders;

 

   

identifying qualified candidates as consistent with the criteria approved by our board of directors for executive officer nominees and recommending such candidates to our board of directors for selection;

 

   

conducting annual reviews of our board of directors’ independence, qualifications and experiences in light of the availability of potential board members; and

 

   

monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal rules and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Strategy Committee

Our strategic planning committee will initially consist of Honghui Deng, Qi Li and Jiepin Fu. Our strategic planning committee assists the board of directors in designing the strategic plan of our business. Our strategic planning committee is responsible for, among other things:

 

   

reviewing and providing guidance to our management and the board of directors with respect to our strategy for strategic transactions;

 

   

reporting to our board of directors any strategic transactions being considered, or authorized and approved, by our management;

 

   

notifying our nominating and corporate governance committee of any conflict of interest or related party transaction that comes to its attention; and

 

   

exercising such additional powers and duties as may be reasonable, necessary or desirable, in the committee’s discretion, to fulfill its duties.

 

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Corporate Governance

Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics, which is applicable to our senior executive and financial officers. In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of conduct, which is applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. We will make our code of ethics and our code of conduct publicly available on our websites.

In addition, our board of directors has adopted a set of corporate governance guidelines. The guidelines reflect certain guiding principles with respect to our board’s structure, procedures and committees. The guidelines are not intended to change or interpret any law, or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.

Remuneration and Borrowing

The directors may determine remuneration to be paid to the directors. The compensation committee will assist the directors in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the directors. The directors may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures or other securities whether outright or as security for any debt obligations of our company or of any third party.

Qualification

There is no requirement for our directors to own any shares in our company in order for them to qualify as a director.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. We may terminate an executive officer’s employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the officer, including, but not limited to, a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony, willful misconduct to our detriment or a failure to perform agreed duties. We may also terminate an executive officer’s employment under certain conditions, including, but not limited to, incapacity or disability of the officer, by a one-month prior written notice or upon paying compensation of one-month salary to the officer. An executive officer may terminate his or her employment with us for cause, at any time for certain reasons, or by a one-month prior written notice.

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we paid an aggregate of RMB4.0 million (US$0.6 million) in cash to our executive officers, and we did not pay any such compensation to our non-executive directors. Our PRC subsidiary and consolidated affiliated entities are required by law to make contributions equal to certain percentages of each employee’s salary for his or her pension insurance, medical insurance, housing fund, unemployment and other statutory benefits.

Share Incentive Plan

We have adopted our 2011 share incentive plan to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentives to our employees, directors and consultants, and promote the success of our business. The 2011 share incentive plan provides for the grant of options, restricted shares and other share-based awards, collectively referred to as “awards.” The board has authorized under the plan the issuance of up to 12% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares from time to time, on an as-exercised and fully diluted basis, upon exercise of awards granted under our 2011 share incentive plan.

 

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The following table summarizes the share options granted to our employees under the 2011 share incentive plan that were outstanding as of the date of this prospectus:

 

Name

   Number of
Ordinary
Shares
Underlying
Options
     Exercise
Price

(US$/Share)
  Vesting Commencement
Date
     Date of Grant      Date of Expiration  

Qi Li

     5,003,980       0.20 (1)     April 8, 2011         April 8, 2011         April 8, 2021   

Lei Zheng

     2,000,000       0.20 (1)     April 8, 2012         April 8, 2011         April 8, 2021   

Man San Law

    

 

660,000

1,400,000

  

  

   0.20 (1)
0.40
   
 
April 8, 2012
October 22, 2014
  
  
    
 
April 8, 2011
October 22, 2013
  
  
    
 
April 8, 2021
October 22, 2023
  
  

Zhengming Pan

     600,000       0.40     April 22, 2014         October 22, 2013         October 22, 2023   

Zhaofu Tian

     *       0.20 (1)

0.40

   

 

April 8, 2012

October 22, 2014

  

  

    

 

April 8, 2011

October 22, 2013

  

  

    

 

April 8, 2021

October 22, 2023

  

  

Punleung Liu

    
*
  
   0.20 (1)

0.40

   

 

April 8, 2012

October 22, 2014

  

  

    

 

April 8, 2011

October 22, 2013

  

  

    

 

April 8, 2021

October 22, 2023

  

  

Jinping Ma

                                 

Jiepin Fu

                                 

Jun Niu

                                 

Honghui Deng

                                 

Zhe Wei

                                 

Min Fan

                                 

Catherine Qin Zhang

                                 

Qian Sun

                                 

Yu Wei

                                 

Directors and officers as a group

    
 
8,909,980
2,240,000
  
  
  

0.20 (1)
0.40

       

Other Individuals as a group

    
 
19,906,420
420,000
  
  
  

0.20 (1)
0.40

       

 

* Options to purchase less than 1% of our issued and outstanding share capital from time to time on an as-exercised and fully diluted basis as of the date of this prospectus.

 

(1) The exercise price of all the options was set by our board of directors at US$0.40 per share on the respective date of grant. The exercise price was adjusted to US$0.20 per share by our board of directors on June 8, 2012 as it believed the voluntary suspension would materially and adversely affect our revenues for 2012 and the fair value of our ordinary shares. All the other terms of the options remain unchanged.

The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of our Share Incentive Plan.

Plan Administration .     Our compensation committee, or prior to such committee’s formation, Mr. Man San Law, will administer the 2011 share incentive plan. The committee or the full board of directors, as appropriate, will determine the participants to receive awards, the type and number of awards to be granted, and the terms and conditions of each award grant.

Option Agreements .     Awards granted under our 2011 share incentive plan are evidenced by an option agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each grant, which may include the term of the award, the provisions applicable in the event that the grantee’s employment or service terminates, and our authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind the award.

Transfer Restrictions .     The right of a grantee in an award granted under our 2011 share incentive plan may not be transferred in any manner by the grantee other than by will or the laws of succession and, with limited exceptions, may be exercised during the lifetime of the grantee only by the grantee.

 

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Option Exercise .     The term of options granted under the 2011 share incentive plan may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. The consideration to be paid for our ordinary shares upon exercise of an option or purchase of ordinary shares underlying the option may include cash, check or other cash-equivalent, ordinary shares, consideration received by us in a cashless exercise, or any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

Acceleration upon a Change of Control .     If a change of control of our company occurs, (i) the compensation committee may determine that any outstanding unexercisable, unvested or lapsable awards shall automatically be deemed exercisable, vested and not subject to lapse immediately prior to the event triggering the change of control and (ii) the compensation committee may cancel such awards for fair value, provide for the issuance of substitute awards or provide that for a period of at least 15 days prior to the event triggering the change of control, such options shall be exercisable and that upon the occurrence of the change of control, such options shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

Termination and Amendment .     Unless terminated earlier, our share incentive plan will expire after 10 years. Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate our share incentive plan, subject to shareholder approval, to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws. Shareholders’ approval is required for any amendment to the 2011 share incentive plan that (i) increases the number of ordinary shares available under the 2011 share incentive plan, or (ii) changes the maximum number of shares for which awards may be granted to any participant, or (iii) diminishes any of the rights of the participant under any award previously granted to such participant under the plan without such participant’s consent.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information as of the date of this prospectus with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares, by:

 

   

each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of our ordinary shares; and

 

   

each of our directors and executive officers.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership for each of the persons listed below is determined by dividing (i) the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by such person, including ordinary shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this prospectus, by (ii) the total number of ordinary shares outstanding plus the number of ordinary shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this prospectus. The total number of ordinary shares outstanding as of the date of this prospectus is 231,428,220. The total number of ordinary shares outstanding after completion of this offering will be 57,860,000 Class A ordinary shares and 264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares, assuming a public offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and (i) no change in the number of ADSs offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, (ii) issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia in connection with the conversion of the convertible note and the concurrent private placement to Sequoia, and (iii) the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. The underwriters may choose to exercise the over-allotment option in full, in part or not at all.

 

     Shares Beneficially
Owned Prior to This
Offering
    Shares Beneficially
Owned After This
Offering
    Percentage
of Votes
Held After
This
Offering
 
     Number      Percent     Number      Percent     Percent  

Directors and Executive Officers:

            

Man San Law (1)

     54,933,854         23.7     54,933,854         17.0     20.1

Qi Li (2)

     30,753,168         13.0     30,753,168         9.4     9.7

Jiepin Fu (3)

     23,878,221         10.3     23,878,221         7.4     8.8

Ying Zou (4)

     4,000,000         1.7     4,000,000         1.2     1.5

Zhengming Pan (5)

     2,400,000         1.0     2,400,000         0.7     0.9

Lei Zheng

     *         *        *         *        *   

Zhaofu Tian

     *         *        *         *        *   

Punleung Liu

     *         *        *         *        *   

Jinping Ma

                                     

Jun Niu

                                     

Honghui Deng

                                     

Zhe Wei

                                     

Min Fan

                                     

Catherine Qin Zhang

                                     

Qian Sun

                                     

Yu Wei

                                     

Principal Shareholders:

            

Clear Treasure Group Limited (3)

     23,878,221         10.3     23,878,221         7.4     8.8

Delite Limited (6)

     29,008,836         12.5     29,008,836         9.0     10.7

Brothers Union International Limited (7)

     25,749,188         11.1     25,749,188         8.0     9.5

Smart Mega Holding Limited (8)

     25,265,018         10.9     25,265,018         7.8     9.3

HWL Partners Limited (9)

     14,574,840         6.3     14,574,840         4.5     5.4

Vivoland Limited (10)

     16,113,055         7.0     16,113,055         5.0     6.0

Blue Ivy Investment Limited (11)

                    20,833,333         6.5     7.7

Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd. (12)

                    38,541,666         11.9     14.2

 

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   The business address of our directors and executive officers is 6th Floor, Block 9, Phase 2, Shenzhen Software Park, Keji Zhongerlu, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, People’s Republic of China.

 

* Less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

(1) represents (i) 29,008,836 Class B ordinary shares owned by Delite Limited, a BVI company with the address of P.O. Box 3321, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, which shares are held in irrevocable discretionary family trusts established by Mr. Law, (ii) 660,000 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days of the date of this prospectus granted to Mr. Law under our 2011 Share Incentive Plan, and (iii) 25,265,018 Class B ordinary shares owned by Smart Mega Holding Limited, a BVI company with the address of P.O. Box 957, Offshore, which shares are held in irrevocable discretionary family trusts established by Ms. Ping Yuan, wife of Mr. Law. Mr. Law, by virtue of the relationship described above, may be deemed to beneficially own such 25,265,018 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(2) represents (i) 25,749,188 Class B ordinary shares owned by Brothers Union International Limited, a BVI company wholly and beneficially owned by Mr. Li, and (ii) 5,003,980 Class A ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of options within 60 days of the date of this prospectus granted to Mr. Li under our 2011 Share Incentive Plan.

 

(3) represents 23,878,221 Class B ordinary shares owned by Clear Treasure Group Limited, a BVI company wholly owned by Mr. Fu, with the address of P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Center, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Mr. Fu, by virtue of his sole ownership of Clear Treasure Group Limited, may be deemed to beneficially own such 28,493,585 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(4) represents 4,000,000 Class B ordinary shares owned by Wander Profits Holding Limited, a BVI company wholly owned by Mr. Zou, with the address of P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Center, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Mr. Zou, by virtue of his sole ownership of Wander Profits Holding Limited, may be deemed to beneficially own such 4,000,000 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(5) represents 2,400,000 Class B ordinary shares owned by Ace Chance Global Limited, a BVI company wholly and beneficially owned by Mr. Pan, with the address of P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Center, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Mr. Pan, by virtue of his sole ownership of Ace Chance Global Limited, may be deemed to beneficially own such 2,400,000 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(6) represents 29,008,836 Class B ordinary shares owned by Delite Limited, a BVI company with the address of P.O. Box 3321, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Delite Limited is wholly owned by Jackpot International Ltd, a Cayman Islands company which is wholly owned by The Jackpot Trust, a revocable discretionary trust established by Mr. Law with Mr. Law as settlor and Mr. Law and his family members as beneficiaries, which include Ms. Ping Yuan, wife of Mr. Law, Ms. Yuhan Law, daughter of Mr. Law, Mr. Lin Law, father of Mr. Law, and Ms. Ruihua Hu, mother of Mr. Law. The 29,008,836 Class B ordinary shares are held by Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Company (Cayman) Limited as trustee of The Jackpot Trust.

 

(7) represents 25,749,188 Class B ordinary shares owned by Brothers Union International Limited, a BVI company wholly and beneficially owned by our director, Qi Li. The address of Brothers Union International Limited is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

 

(8) represents 25,265,018 Class B ordinary shares owned by Smart Mega Holding Limited, a BVI company with the address of P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Smart Mega Holding Limited is wholly owned by Vibrant Jade Ltd., a Cayman Islands company which is wholly owned by The Vibrant Jade Trust, a revocable discretionary trust established by Ms. Ping Yuan, wife of Mr. Law, with Ms. Yuan as settlor and Mr. Law and Ms. Yuhan Law, daughter of Ms. Ping Yuan, as beneficiaries. The 25,265,018 Class B ordinary shares are held by Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Company (Cayman) Limited as trustee of The Vibrant Jade Trust.

 

(9) represents 14,574,840 Class B ordinary shares owned by HWL Partners Limited, a Cayman company wholly owned by Mohamad Fadzly Bin Tahir. The address of HWL Partners Limited is P.O. Box 847, GT Grand Cayman KY1-1103, Cayman Islands. Mr. Tahir by virtue of his sole ownership of HWL Partners Limited, may be deemed to beneficially own such 14,574,840 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(10) represents 16,113,055 Class B ordinary shares owned by Vivoland Limited, a BVI Company wholly owned by Jingbo Wang. The address of Viroland Limited is Portcullis Trust Net Chambers. P.O. Box 3444, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Mr. Wang, by virtue of his sole ownership of Vivoland Limited, may be deemed to beneficially own such 16,113,055 Class B ordinary shares.

 

(11)

represents 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares acquirable from Vivoland Limited and Brother Union Investment Limited upon the exercise of exchange options granted to Blue Ivy Investment Limited by Vivoland Limited. Pursuant to an exchangeable, note agreement, Vivoland Limited issued exchangeable notes to Blue Ivy Investment Limited in the aggregate principal amount of US$20 million. The exchangeable notes are exchangeable at the option of Blue Ivy Investment Limited, into the number of Class B ordinary shares owned by Vivoland Limited equivalent to the outstanding amount of the exchangeable notes divided by the applicable exchange price immediately upon the completion of this offering. The exchange price per Class B ordinary share shall be equal to 80% of the initial public offering price of our ADSs adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio. Based on the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price, the exchangeable notes can be exchanged into 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. Blue Ivy Investment Limited is a company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Vision Knight Capital (China) Fund I, L.P. owns a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Blue Ivy Investment Limited. Vision Knight Capital General Partners Ltd., acting as the general partner of Vision Knight Capital (China) Fund I, L.P., has the power to direct Blue Ivy Investment Limited as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Blue Ivy Investment Limited. Mr. Zhe Wei and Mr. Daming Zhu are the directors of Vision Knight Capital General Partners Ltd. and have the power to, through unanimous resolutions, direct Blue Ivy Investment Limited as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Blue Ivy Investment Limited. Each of Mr. Zhe Wei and Mr. Daming Zhu disclaims beneficial ownership of any of the shares held by Blue Ivy Investment Limited except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The registered office of Blue Ivy Investment Limited is at Trinity Chambers, PO Box 4301, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Blue Ivy Investment Limited has

 

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  indicated to us that it is contemplating transferring ordinary shares acquired upon the exercise of exchange options to two third parties, namely Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited and NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC., for an aggregate consideration of US$2 million and US$1 million, respectively, at a transfer price per share equals to the exchange price per share prior to the consummation of this offering. Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited and NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC. are both third parties independent to Blue Ivy Investment Limited and to us and are currently not our shareholders. Assuming a transfer price of US$0.96 per share, being 80% of the mid-point of the estimated range of the offering price, the two third parties will acquire 1,041,667 and 2,083,333 ordinary shares after the transfers, respectively, representing 0.32% and 0.64% immediately following this offering. Assuming the transfer is consummated, Blue Ivy will hold 17,708,333 ordinary shares, representing 5.5% of our outstanding ordinary shares and 6.5% of votes of our ordinary shares immediately following this offering. Ilove Angels Limited, a BVI company wholly owned by Lim Sze Han, owns a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited, a BVI company. Ms. Wei Ji is the sole director of Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited and has the power to direct Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by Brilliant Vantage Investment Limited. NetDragon Websoft Inc., a Cayman Islands company which is publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, owns all the issued and outstanding shares of NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC., a BVI company. Dejian Liu, Luyuan Liu, Hongzhan Chen, Dongliang Lin are directors of NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC., and have the power to direct NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC. as to the voting and disposition of shares directly and indirectly held by NETDRAGON WEBSOFT INC.

 

(12) represent (i) 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares issuable upon automatic conversion of the convertible note upon the completion of this offering, (ii) 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to be sold to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd. upon the completion of this offering in the concurrent private placement to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd., and (iii) 5,208,333 Class B ordinary shares acquirable from an existing shareholder upon the exercise of exchange options granted by the existing shareholder to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd. pursuant to an exchangeable note agreement, the existing shareholder issued exchangeable notes to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd. in the aggregate principal amount of US$5,000,000. The exchangeable notes are exchangeable, at the option of Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd., into the number of Class B ordinary shares owned by the existing shareholder equivalent to the outstanding amount of the exchangeable notes divided by the applicable exchange price immediately upon completion of this offering. The exchange price per Class B ordinary share shall be equal to 80% of the public offering price of our ADSs, adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio. Based on the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price, the exchangeable notes can be exchanged into 5,208,333 Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco., Ltd. is wholly owned by Sequoia Capital China Growth 2010 Fund, L.P., Sequoia Capital China Growth 2010 Partners Fund, L.P. and Sequoia Capital China Growth 2010 Principals Fund, L.P. (collectively “SCC 2010 Growth Funds”). The SCC 2010 Growth Funds’ general partner is SC China Growth 2010 Management, L.P. The general partner of SC China Growth 2010 Management, L.P. is SC China Holding Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. SC China Holding Limited is wholly owned by SNP China Enterprises Limited, a company wholly owned by Mr. Neil Nanpeng Shen. Mr. Neil Nanpeng Shen has the power to direct Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd. as to the voting and disposition of shares directly or indirectly held by Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd. Mr. Shen disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd., except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The registered address of Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd. is Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are not aware of any of our shareholders being a resident in the United States or affiliated with a registered broker-dealer or being in the business of underwriting securities.

We will issue Class A ordinary shares represented by our ADSs in this offering. Our existing shareholders will hold our Class B ordinary shares upon the closing of the offering and may choose to convert their Class B ordinary shares into the same number of Class A ordinary shares at any time. See “Description of Share Capital” for a more detailed description of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares.

For details of our equity compensation plan, see “Management—Share Incentive Plan.”

History of Recent Security Issuances

The following is a summary of our securities issuances during the past three years.

Our current holding company, 500.com Limited, was incorporated in the Cayman Islands in April 2007 by Delite Limited, a BVI company owned by Man San Law. In September 2007, we issued 1,200,000 series A preferred shares to certain independent investors including Yuzhen Fu, Xianzhen Liu and Jinxia Chen. We also issued an aggregate of 1,513,768 series B preferred shares to entities including SIG China Investment One, Ltd., IDG-ACCEL China Growth Fund L.P., IDG-ACCEL China Growth Fund-A L.P. and IDG-ACCEL China Investors L.P., and issued 692,305 series B-1 preferred shares to TSE Holdings Limited in September 2007.

In February 2010, all series A preferred shares held by Yuzhen Fu, Xianzhen Liu and Jinxia Chen were transferred to Brothers Union Investment Holdings Limited, a Cayman Islands company owned at the time of the

 

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transfer by He Li and Xue Li who are brother and sister of Qi Li, and such transferred shares are converted to ordinary shares upon the transfer.

In March 2010, we redeemed all series B preferred shares and series B-1 preferred shares owned by SIG China Investment One, Ltd., IDG-ACCEL China Growth Fund L.P., IDG-ACCEL China Growth Fund-A L.P., IDG-ACCEL China Investors L.P., and TSE Holdings Limited, and cancelled the registrations of such shares. In March 2010, we issued 607,285 Class B ordinary shares to Coherent Pioneer Enterprises Limited, 607,285 ordinary shares to Dai Fan, 262,761 ordinary shares to Brother Union Investment Holding Limited and 728,742 ordinary shares to HWL Partners Limited.

In April 2012, we redeemed 11,250,000, 6,000,000 and 2,000,000 Ordinary Shares from IDG, Delite Limited and Nanpeng Shen, respectively. In April 2012, we issued 9,250,000 and 8,000,000 ordinary shares to Dragon Global International Ltd. and WinWin Solution Enterprise Ltd., respectively.

On October 21, 2013, pursuant to a convertible note purchase agreement, we issued a convertible note due on June 30, 2014 in the aggregate principal amount of $20 million to Sequoia. The convertible note bears interest at 10% per annum, or 13% per annum upon an event of default, in both cases uncompounded and computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed. The convertible note will be automatically converted into our Class B ordinary shares upon completion of this offering. The conversion price per Class B ordinary share shall be equal to 80% of the public offering price of the ADSs adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio. Based on the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price, the convertible note will be automatically converted into 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares upon the completion of this offering. In the event of automatic conversion triggered by this offering, the convertible note shall be deemed interest free between the date of issuance and the date of conversion.

The convertible note shall become due and payable immediately prior to the closing of a change in control. The change in control events include (i) sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (ii) the sale, exchange or offer of a majority of our outstanding share capital, (iii) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or similar combination transactions involving us, such that holders of our share capital immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own less than a majority in voting power of our outstanding share capital, or the surviving or resulting corporation or acquirer, as the case may be, immediately following such transaction.

In the event of default, Sequoia may declare all outstanding payment obligations by us under the convertible note to be immediately due and payable.

The automatic conversion feature meets the definition of a derivative where the underlying is based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of this offering, and is bifurcated from the convertible note and accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and the change in fair value of the embedded derivative is recognized through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Assuming that this offering occurs before December 31, 2013, in connection with the issuance and automatic conversion of the convertible note, we will recognize the interest expense of the convertible note and the change in the fair value of the embedded derivative relating to the convertible note in the aggregate amount of US$5 million through the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the year and quarter ending December 31, 2013.

On October 22, 2013, we issued 660,000 and 2,000,000 ordinary shares to Delite Limited and Ace Chance Global Limited, respectively, at the purchase price of US$0.20 per share, upon receipt of the exercise notices from Mr. Man San Law and Mr. Zhengming Pan of their vested options granted to them under our 2011 share incentive plan.

 

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Contractual Arrangements with Our Consolidated Affiliated Entities and Their Shareholders

Due to certain restrictions under PRC law on foreign ownership of businesses engaged in the Internet and lottery business, we conduct our operations in China principally through contractual arrangements among our wholly owned PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, our consolidated affiliated entities in China and their shareholders. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Our History and Corporate Structure.”

Related Party Loans and Other Payments

Historically, we extended loans to certain directors and entities controlled by certain directors, executive officers and a principal shareholder of our company. As of December 31, 2010 and 2011 and 2012 and September 30, 2013, the total outstanding balance due from these related parties was RMB78.8 million and RMB102.6 million, RMB188.2 million and RMB46.7 million (US$7.6 million), respectively, which were due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized. Such loans were repaid in full as of the date of this prospectus.

As of December 31, 2010, all loans previously extended by us to the following persons and entities were repaid in full: (i) a loan to our chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, Man San Law, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB19.8 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (ii) a loan to Shenzhen Internet Xintiandi Information Technology Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by Man San Law, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB2.4 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (iii) a loan to Shenzhen Caimeng Century Internet Technology Co., Ltd., an entity significantly influenced by Man San Law, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB10.0 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (iv) a loan to Shenzhen Huayu Investment & Development (Group) Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by one of our directors, Jiepin Fu, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB11.1 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (v) a loan to entities controlled by one of our shareholders, Ping Yuan, including Shenzhen Yimengtianxia Technology Co., Ltd., with the largest amount outstanding of RMB55.4 million during the period from 2008 to 2010, Shenzhen Tiannuo Technology Co., Ltd., with the largest amount outstanding of RMB2.1 million during the period from 2008 to 2010, and Shenzhen Jisu Dark Blue Digital Technology Co., Ltd., with the largest amount outstanding of RMB9.1 million since January 1, 2008; (vi) a loan to Shenzhen Zonghengsihai Sailing Match Management Co. Ltd., an entity significantly influenced by one of our directors, Jiepin Fu, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB57.8 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (vii) a loan to Jiepin Fu, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB2.0 million during the period from 2008 to 2010; (viii) a loan to Shijie Zhang, a member of our senior management, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB720,000 during the period from 2008 to 2010; and (ix) a loan to Ying Zou, one of our shareholders, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB261,000 during the period from 2008 to 2010. All such loans were due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized.

We received a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan from Shenzhen Yimengtianxia Technology Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by one of our shareholders, Ping Yuan, the aggregate balance of which was RMB200,000 as of December 31, 2009, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB3.7 million during the period from 2008 to 2010. We repaid the loan in full as of December 31, 2010.

We received a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan from Shenzhen Cub Digital Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by our chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, Man San Law, the aggregate balance of which was RMB131,000 as of December 31, 2009, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB131,000 during the period from 2009 to 2011. We repaid the loan in full as of December 31, 2010.

We made a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan to Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co., Ltd., an entity controlled by our chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, Man San Law, the aggregate balance of which was RMB45.7 million (US$7.5 million) as of September 30, 2013, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB192.6 million (US$31.4 million) during the period from 2009 to September 30, 2013. Such loan was repaid in full as of the date of this prospectus.

We made a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan to Delite Limited, an entity controlled by our chief executive officer and chairman of our board of directors, Man San Law, the aggregate balance of which

 

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was RMB976,000 (US$159,477) as of September 30, 2013, with the largest amount outstanding of RMB976,000 (US$159,025) during the period from 2009 to September 30, 2013. Such loan was repaid in full as of the date of this prospectus.

We receive a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan from Mr. Man San Law, the aggregate balance of which totaled RMB1.1 million as of December 31, 2010. We repaid the loan in full in March 2011.

We received a due on demand, interest free and uncollateralized loan from Delite Limited, the aggregate balance of which totaled RMB8.4 million (US$1.4 million) as of September 30, 2013.

We have settled all outstanding amounts of loans extended to and borrowed from related parties as of the date of this prospectus and we do not plan to enter into similar transactions with related parties after completion of this offering.

Employment Agreements

See “Management—Employment Agreements.”

Share Options

See “Management—Share Incentive Plan.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, and the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Law below.

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is  $50,000 consisting of (i) 955,878,540 ordinary shares of par value of US$0.00005 each, (ii) 30,275,360 Series B Preferred Shares of par value of US$0.00005 each and (iii) 13,846,100 Series B-1 Preferred Shares of par value US$0.00005 each. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective upon completion of this offering, provides for a dual-class share structure, with the 1,000,000,000 authorized ordinary shares divided into: (i) 700,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, and (ii) 300,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, there are 231,428,220 ordinary shares issued and outstanding. Upon completion of this offering, we will have 57,860,000 Class A ordinary shares and 264,761,553 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding including (i) 20,833,333 Class B ordinary shares to be issued upon automatic conversion of the convertible note upon the completion of this public offering and (ii) 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares to be issued and sold to Sequoia in the concurrent private placement. All of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding prior to the completion of the offering are and will be fully paid, and all of our shares to be issued in the offering will be issued as fully paid.

We have adopted an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association which will become effective upon completion of this offering. The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

The following discussion primarily concerns ordinary shares and the rights of holders of ordinary shares. The holders of ADSs will not be treated as our shareholders and will be required to surrender their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal from the depositary facility in which the ordinary shares are held in order to exercise shareholders’ rights with respect to the ordinary shares. The depositary will agree, so far as it is practical, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of ordinary shares represented by ADSs in accordance with the non-discretionary written instructions of the holders of such ADSs. See “Description of the American Depositary Shares.”

Ordinary Shares

General

Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares. Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association provide that the company shall only issue non-negotiable and not bearer of negotiable shares.

Register of Members

Under Cayman Islands law, we must keep a register of members and there shall be entered therein:

 

  (a) the names and addresses of the members, a statement of the shares held by each member, and of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid, on the shares of each member;

 

  (b) the date on which the name of any person was entered on the register as a member; and

 

  (c) the date on which any person ceased to be a member.

Under Cayman Islands law, the register of members of our company is prima facie evidence of the matters set out therein (i.e. the register of members will raise a presumption of fact on the matters referred to above unless rebutted) and a member registered in the register of members shall be deemed as a matter of Cayman Islands law to have legal title to the shares as set against its name in the register of members. Upon the closing of this public offering, the register of members shall be immediately updated to reflect the issue of shares by us to

 

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Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the depositary. Once our register of members has been updated, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the depositary, shall be deemed to have legal title to the shares set against their name.

Dividends

The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors.

Voting Rights

Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any shares, at any general meeting every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative) shall have one vote on a show of hands, and on a poll (i) every shareholder holding Class A ordinary shares present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly appointed representative) shall have one vote for each fully paid Class A ordinary share of which such shareholder is the holder and (ii) every shareholder holding Class B ordinary shares present in person or by proxy (or in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly appointed representative) shall have 10 votes for each fully paid Class B ordinary share of which such shareholder is the holder. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting or any one shareholder present in person or by proxy.

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of votes attached to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than three-fourths of votes attached to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as a change of name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the restrictions contained in our articles of association, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board of directors.

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share. Our board of directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

 

   

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary shares;

 

   

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

   

the ordinary shares transferred are fully paid and free of any lien in favor of us;

 

   

any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and

 

   

the transfer is not to more than four joint holders.

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they are required, within three months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, to send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

General Meetings and Shareholder Proposals . As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it, and the

 

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annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the rules of the NYSE.

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association allow our shareholders holding not less than one-third of our voting share capital to requisition a special meeting of the shareholders, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our post-offering memorandum and articles of association do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative, who collectively hold no less than one-third of our voting share capital. Advance notice of at least 14 days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders’ meetings.

Liquidation

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares will be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

We may issue shares on terms that such shares are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner, including out of capital, as may be determined by the board of directors or by a special resolution of our shareholders.

Variations of Rights of Shares

If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, all or any of the special rights attached to any class of shares may, be varied with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. Consequently, the rights of any class of shares cannot be detrimentally altered without a majority of three-fourths of the vote of all of the shares in that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights will not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with such existing class of shares.

General Meetings of Shareholders

Shareholders’ meetings may be convened by a majority of our board of directors or our chairman. Additionally, on the requisition of shareholders holding not less than one-third of our voting share capital, the board shall convene an extraordinary general meeting. Advance notice of at least 14 days is required for the convening of our annual general shareholders’ meeting and any other general meeting of our shareholders. A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present or by proxy, representing not less than one-third in nominal value of the total issued voting shares in our company.

 

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Election and Removal of Directors

Unless otherwise determined by the Company in the general meeting, our articles provide that our board will consist of not less than two directors. There are no provisions relating to retirement of directors upon reaching any age limit.

The directors have the power to appoint any person as a director either to fill a casual vacancy on the board or as an addition to the existing board, but so that the number of directors so appointed will not exceed any maximum number determined from time to time by the members in general meeting.

Our articles provide that persons standing for election as directors at a duly constituted general meeting with requisite quorum are appointed by shareholders by a simple majority of the votes cast on the resolution.

A director may be removed with or without cause by a shareholder resolution which has been passed by at least a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders having a right to attend and vote at such meeting.

Proceedings of Board of Directors

Our articles provide that our business is to be managed and conducted by our board of directors. The quorum necessary for the board meeting may be fixed by the board and, unless so fixed at another number, will be a majority of the directors.

Our articles provide that the board may from time to time at its discretion exercise all powers of the Company to raise or borrow money, to mortgage or charge all or any part of the undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital of the Company and, subject to the Companies Law, issue debentures, bonds and other securities of the Company, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

Inspection of Books and Records

Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will in our articles provide our directors the power to allow our shareholders to inspect our list of shareholders and to receive annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Changes in Capital

We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:

 

   

increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution shall prescribe;

 

   

consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;

 

   

sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount than that fixed by our Memorandum of Association; provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or

 

   

cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled.

Subject to the Companies Law, we may by special resolution reduce our share capital or any capital redemption reserve in any manner permitted by law.

 

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Issuance of Additional Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares

 

   

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to issue additional ordinary shares from time to time as our board of directors shall determine, to the extent of available authorized but unissued shares.

 

   

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association authorizes our board of directors to establish from time to time one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:

 

   

the designation of the series;

 

   

the number of shares of the series;

 

   

the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights; and

 

   

the rights and terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

 

   

Our board of directors may issue preferred shares without action by our shareholders to the extent authorized but unissued. In addition, the issuance of preferred shares may be used as an anti-takeover device without further action on the part of the shareholders. Issuance of these shares may dilute the voting power of holders of ordinary shares.

Conversion Rights Attaching to the Shares

Each Class B ordinary share is convertible into one Class A ordinary share at any time by the holder thereof. Class A ordinary shares are not convertible under any circumstances.

Difference Between Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares

The difference between the Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares are the special voting and conversion rights attached to the Class B ordinary shares as disclosed above.

Exempted Company

We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands. The Companies Law in the Cayman Islands distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:

 

   

an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;

 

   

an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;

 

   

an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

   

an exempted company may issue no par value, negotiable or bearer shares;

 

   

an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

   

an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

   

an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and

 

   

an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.

 

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“Limited liability” means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company, provided that the memorandum and articles of association contains a declaration that the liability of the member is so limited. Upon the closing of this offering, we will be subject to reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. Except as otherwise disclosed in this prospectus, we currently intend to comply with the NYSE Listing Rules in lieu of following home country practice after the closing of this offering. The NYSE Listing Rules require that every company listed on NYSE hold an annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, our articles of association allow directors to call a special meeting of shareholders pursuant to the procedures set forth in our articles.

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Law is modeled after that of England and Wales but does not follow recent statutory enactments in England. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements

The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company and (b) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company and (b) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association. The written plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares (which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors (representing 75% by value) with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must, in addition, represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

   

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

   

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

   

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

   

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.

 

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When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares affected within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed in the case of an offer which has been so approved unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

If an arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits

Generally legal proceedings can be originated in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. In principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands courts can be expected to apply and follow the common law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a minority shareholder to commence a class action against, or derivative actions in the name of, a company to challenge:

 

   

an act which is illegal or ultra vires ;

 

   

an action which requires a resolution with a qualified or special majority which has not been obtained; and

 

   

an act which constitutes a fraud on the minority where the wrongdoers are themselves in control of the company.

Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s memorandum and articles of association may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty or fraud which may attach to such directors or officers. This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and senior executive officers that will provide such persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in our memorandum and articles of association.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Memorandum and Articles of Association

Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

 

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Directors’ Fiduciary Duties

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the following duties to the company—a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him to do so) and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands law and our articles of association provide that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a meeting being held.

Shareholder Proposals

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling special meetings.

Cayman Islands law provides shareholders with only limited rights to requisition a general meeting, and does not provide shareholders with any right to put any proposal before a general meeting. However, these rights may be provided in a company’s articles of association. Our Memorandum and Articles allow our shareholders holding not less than one-third of our voting share capital to requisition a special meeting of the shareholders, in which case the directors are obliged to call such meeting and to put the resolutions so requisitioned to a vote at such meeting; however, our Memorandum and Articles do not provide our shareholders with any right to put any proposals before annual general meetings or extraordinary general meetings not called by such shareholders.

As a Cayman Islands exempted company, we are not obliged by the Companies Law to call shareholders’ annual general meetings. Our Memorandum and Articles provide that we may (but are not obliged to) in each year hold a general meeting as our annual general meeting in which case we shall specify the meeting as such in

 

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the notices calling it, and the annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by our directors. We, however, will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting during each fiscal year, as required by the rules of the NYSE.

Cumulative Voting

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting power with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.

Removal of Directors

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our articles of association, directors may be removed by ordinary resolution.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws that is approved by its shareholders, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock or who or which is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into bona fide in the best interests of the company and for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Dissolution; Winding Up

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under Cayman Islands law, a company may be wound up by either an order of the courts of the Cayman Islands or by a special resolution of its members or, if the company is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, by an ordinary resolution of its members. The court has authority to order winding up in a number of specified circumstances including where it is, in the opinion of the court, just and equitable to do so.

 

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Under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands and our memorandum and articles of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or wound up by special resolution, or by an ordinary resolution on the basis that our company is unable to pay its debt as they become due.

Variation of Rights of Shares

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Amendment of Governing Documents

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may be amended only if adopted and declared advisable by the board of directors and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, and the bylaws may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote and may, if so provided in the certificate of incorporation, also be amended by the board of directors. Under the Companies Law, our memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by special resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders.

Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders

There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

Directors’ Power to Issue Shares

Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions.

Inspection of Books and Records

Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, our directors are empowered to allow our shareholders to inspect our list of shareholders and to receive annual audited financial statements. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

American Depositary Shares

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, will register and deliver the ADSs. Each ADS will represent ownership of 10 Class A ordinary shares deposited with the office in Hong Kong of Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, as custodian for the depositary. Each ADS will also represent ownership of any other securities, cash or other property which may be held by the depositary. The depositary’s corporate trust office at which the ADSs will be administered is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA. The principal executive office of the depositary is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, USA.

The Direct Registration System, or DRS, is a system administered by The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto.

We will not treat ADS holders as our shareholders and accordingly, you, as an ADS holder, will not have shareholder rights. Cayman Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial owners of ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. The laws of the State of New York govern the deposit agreement and the ADSs.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American Depositary Receipt. For directions on how to obtain copies of those documents, see “ Where You Can Find Additional Information .”

Holding the ADSs

How will you hold your ADSs?

You may hold ADSs either (1) directly (a) by having an American Depositary Receipt, or ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (b) by holding ADSs in DRS, or (2) indirectly through your broker or other financial institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder. This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.

Dividends and Other Distributions

How will you receive dividends and other distributions on the shares?

The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on ordinary shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares your ADSs represent as of the record date (which will be as close as practicable to the record date for our ordinary shares) set by the depositary with respect to the ADSs.

 

   

Cash. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the ordinary shares or any net proceeds from the sale of any ordinary shares, rights, securities or other entitlements into U.S. dollars if it can do so on a reasonable basis, and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that is not possible or lawful or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid and such funds will be held in a segregated account. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.

 

   

Before making a distribution, any taxes or other governmental charges, together with fees and expenses of the depositary, that must be paid, will be deducted. See “Taxation.” It will distribute only whole

 

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U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.

 

   

Shares. The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any ordinary shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution to the extent reasonably practicable and permissible under law. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will try to sell ordinary shares which would require it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new ordinary shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed ordinary shares sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.

 

   

Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, the depositary, after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such elective distribution by us, has discretion to determine to what extent such elective distribution will be made available to you as a holder of the ADSs. We must first instruct the depositary to make such elective distribution available to you and furnish it with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. The depositary could decide it is not legal or reasonably practical to make such elective distribution available to you, or it could decide that it is only legal or reasonably practical to make such elective distribution available to some but not all holders of the ADSs. In such case, the depositary shall, on the basis of the same determination as is made in respect of the ordinary shares for which no election is made, distribute either cash in the same way as it does in a cash distribution, or additional ADSs representing ordinary shares in the same way as it does in a share distribution. The depositary is not obligated to make available to you a method to receive the elective dividend in shares rather than in ADSs. There can be no assurance that you will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of ordinary shares.

 

   

Rights to Purchase Additional Shares. If we offer holders of our ordinary shares any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may after consultation with us and having received timely notice as described in the deposit agreement of such distribution by us, make these rights available to you. We must first instruct the depositary to make such rights available to you and furnish the depositary with satisfactory evidence that it is legal to do so. If the depositary decides it is not legal and practical to make the rights available but that it is practical to sell the rights, the depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the rights and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. The depositary will allow rights that are not distributed or sold to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them.

If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will exercise the rights and purchase the shares on your behalf. The depositary will then deposit the shares and deliver ADSs to you. It will only exercise rights if you pay it the exercise price and any other charges the rights require you to pay.

U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have the same terms as the ADSs described in this section except for changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.

 

   

Other Distributions. Subject to receipt of timely notice, as described in the deposit agreement, from us with the request to make any such distribution available to you, and provided the depositary has determined such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable and feasible and in accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary will send to you anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice: it may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash; or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to you unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.

 

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The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.

Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation

How are ADSs issued?

In connection with this offering, we will deposit ordinary shares with the custodian for the issuance of ADSs to you by the depositary. Following the offering, the depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposit ordinary shares or evidence of rights to receive ordinary shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.

Except for ordinary shares deposited by us in connection with this offering, no shares will be accepted for deposit during a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. The 180-day lock-up period is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances as described in the section entitled “Underwriting—No Sales of Similar Securities.”

How do ADS holders cancel an American Depositary Share?

You may turn in your ADSs at the depositary’s corporate trust office or by providing appropriate instructions to your broker. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the ordinary shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its corporate trust office, if feasible.

How do ADS holders interchange between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?

You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that you are the owner of uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.

Voting Rights

How do you vote?

You may instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs. Otherwise, you could exercise your right to vote directly if you withdraw the ordinary shares. However, you may not know about the meeting sufficiently enough in advance to withdraw the ordinary shares.

If we ask for your instructions and upon timely notice from us, as described in the deposit agreement, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. The materials will (1) describe the matters to be voted on and (2) explain how you may instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities underlying your ADSs as you direct, including an express indication that such instruction may be given or deemed given in accordance with the second to last sentence of this paragraph if no instruction is received, to the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us. For instructions to be valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands and the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, to vote or to have its agents vote the ordinary shares or other deposited securities as you instruct. The depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct. If we timely requested the depositary to

 

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solicit your instructions but no instructions are received by the depositary from an owner with respect to any of the deposited securities represented by the ADSs of that owner on or before the date established by the depositary for such purpose, the depositary shall deem that owner to have instructed the depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us with respect to such deposited securities, and the depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to vote such deposited securities. However, no such instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter if we inform the depositary we do not wish such proxy given, substantial opposition exists or the matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of the ordinary shares.

We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may have no recourse if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.

In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we will try to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon more than 30 business days in advance of the meeting date.

Fees and Expenses

As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank:

 

Service    Fees

•      Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued

•      Cancellation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS cancelled

•      Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•      Distribution of ADSs pursuant to share dividends, free share distributions or exercise of rights.

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held

•      Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

   A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been ordinary shares and the ordinary shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs

•      Depositary services

   Up to US$0.05 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank

•      Transfer of ADRs

   U.S. $1.50 per certificate presented for transfer

As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges such as:

 

   

Fees for the transfer and registration of ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the ordinary shares in the Cayman Islands (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares).

 

   

Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars.

 

   

Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.

 

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Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, including any applicable stamp duties, any stock transfer charges or withholding taxes (i.e., when ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).

 

   

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of ordinary shares on deposit.

 

   

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to ordinary shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs.

 

   

Any applicable fees and penalties thereon.

The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse us for a portion of certain expenses we incur that are related to establishment and maintenance of the ADR program, including investor relations expenses. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not related to the amounts of fees the depositary collects from investors. Further, the depositary has agreed to reimburse us certain fees payable to the depositary by holders of ADSs. Neither the depositary nor we can determine the exact amount to be made available to us because (i) the number of ADSs that will be issued and outstanding, (ii) the level of service fees to be charged to holders of ADSs and (iii) our reimbursable expenses related to the program are not known at this time.

Payment of Taxes

You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to you any net proceeds, or send to you any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes. You agree to indemnify us, the depositary, the custodian and each of our and their respective agents, directors, employees and affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for you.

 

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Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers

 

If we:    Then:
Change the nominal or par value of our ordinary shares    The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities.
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any of the deposited securities    Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities.

Distribute securities on the ordinary shares that are not distributed to you

or

Recapitalize, reorganize, merge, liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take any similar action

   The depositary may distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.

Amendment and Termination

How may the deposit agreement be amended?

We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the form of ADR without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, including expenses incurred in connection with foreign exchange control regulations and other charges specifically payable by ADS holders under the deposit agreement, or materially prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended .

How may the deposit agreement be terminated?

The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement if we ask it to do so, in which case the depositary will give notice to you at least 90 days prior to termination. The depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement if the depositary has told us that it would like to resign and we have not appointed a new depositary within 90 days. In such case, the depositary must notify you at least 30 days before termination.

After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other property and deliver ordinary shares and other deposited securities upon cancellation of ADSs after payment of any fees, charges, taxes or other governmental charges. Six months or more after termination, the depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will not invest the money and has no liability for interest. The depositary’s only obligations will be to account for the money and other cash. After termination, our only obligations will be to indemnify the depositary and to pay fees and expenses of the depositary that we agreed to pay.

Books of Depositary

The depositary will maintain ADS holder records at its depositary office. You may inspect such records at such office during regular business hours but solely for the purpose of communicating with other holders in the interest of business matters relating to the ADSs and the deposit agreement.

The depositary will maintain facilities in New York to record and process the issuance, cancellation, combination, split-up and transfer of ADRs.

 

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These facilities may be closed from time to time, to the extent not prohibited by law or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the depositary or us, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the ADRs or ADSs are listed, or under any provision of the deposit agreement or provisions of, or governing, the deposited securities, or any meeting of our shareholders or for any other reason.

Limitations on Obligations and Liability

Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs

The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:

 

   

are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

   

are not liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or circumstances beyond our control from performing our obligations under the deposit agreement, including, without limitation, requirements of any present or future law, regulation, governmental or regulatory authority or share exchange of any applicable jurisdiction, any present or future provisions of our memorandum and articles of association, on account of possible civil or criminal penalties or restraint, any provisions of or governing the deposited securities or any act of God, war or other circumstances beyond our control as set forth in the deposit agreement;

 

   

are not liable if either of us exercises, or fails to exercise, discretion permitted under the deposit agreement;

 

   

are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement, or for any indirect, special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement;

 

   

have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding related to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf or on behalf of any other party;

 

   

may rely upon any documents we believe in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party;

 

   

disclaim any liability for any action/inaction in reliance on the advice or information of legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting ordinary shares for deposit, holders and beneficial owners (or authorized representatives) of ADSs, or any person believed in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information;

 

   

disclaim any liability for inability of any holder to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit made available to holders of deposited securities but not made available to holders of ADSs; and

 

   

disclaim any liability for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages.

The depositary and any of its agents also disclaim any liability for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote or failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable or for allowing any rights to lapse in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, the failure or timeliness of any notice from us, the content of any information submitted to it by us for distribution to you or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, any investment risk associated with the acquisition of an interest in the deposited securities, the validity or worth of the deposited securities, the credit-worthiness of any third party, or for any tax consequences that may result from ownership of ADSs, ordinary shares or deposited securities.

In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.

 

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Requirements for Depositary Actions

Before the depositary will issue, deliver or register a transfer of an ADS, make a distribution on an ADS, or permit withdrawal of ordinary shares, the depositary may require:

 

   

payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any ordinary shares or other deposited securities and payment of the applicable fees, expenses and charges of the depositary;

 

   

satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other information it deems necessary; and

 

   

compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement, including presentation of transfer documents.

The depositary may refuse to issue and deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs generally when the register of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it is necessary or advisable to do so.

Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADSs

You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares at any time except:

 

   

when temporary delays arise because: (1) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (2) the transfer of ordinary shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting; or (3) we are paying a dividend on our ordinary shares;

 

   

when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; or

 

   

when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of ordinary shares or other deposited securities.

This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.

Pre-release of ADSs

The deposit agreement permits the depositary to deliver ADSs before deposit of the underlying ordinary shares. This is called a pre-release of the ADSs. The depositary may also deliver ordinary shares upon cancellation of pre-released ADSs (even if the ADSs are cancelled before the pre-release transaction has been closed out). A pre-release is closed out as soon as the underlying ordinary shares are delivered to the depositary. The depositary may receive ADSs instead of ordinary shares to close out a pre-release. The depositary may pre-release ADSs only under the following conditions: (1) before or at the time of the pre-release, the person to whom the pre-release is being made represents to the depositary in writing that it or its customer (a) owns the ordinary shares or ADSs to be deposited, (b) assigns all beneficial rights, title and interest in such ordinary shares or ADSs to the depositary for the benefit of the owners, (c) will not take any action with respect to such ordinary shares or ADSs that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership, (d) indicates the depositary as owner of such ordinary shares or ADSs in its records, and (e) unconditionally guarantees to deliver such ordinary shares or ADSs to the depositary or the custodian, as the case may be; (2) the pre-release is fully collateralized with cash or other collateral that the depositary considers appropriate; and (3) the depositary must be able to close out the pre-release on not more than five business days’ notice. Each pre-release is subject to further indemnities and credit regulations as the depositary considers appropriate. In addition, the depositary will limit the number of ADSs that may be outstanding at any time as a result of pre-release to 30% of the aggregate number of ADSs then outstanding, although the depositary may disregard the limit from time to time, if it thinks it is appropriate to do so, including (1) due to a decrease in the aggregate number of ADSs outstanding that causes existing pre-release transactions to temporarily exceed the limit stated above or (2) where otherwise required by market conditions.

 

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Direct Registration System

In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the DRS and Profile Modification System, or Profile, will apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to the ADS holders entitled thereto. Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register such transfer.

In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary’s reliance on, and compliance with, instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile System and in accordance with the deposit agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Upon closing of this offering, we will have 5,786,000 ADSs outstanding representing approximately 17.9% of our ordinary shares. All of the ADSs sold in this offering and the ordinary shares they represent will be freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Rule 144 of the Securities Act defines an “affiliate” of a company as a person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, our company. All outstanding ordinary shares prior to this offering are “restricted securities” as that term is defined in Rule 144 because they were issued in a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering. Restricted securities, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, may be sold only if they are the subject of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or if they are sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement of the Securities Act such as those provided for in Rules 144 or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below. Restricted ordinary shares may also be sold outside of the United States to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Act. This prospectus may not be used in connection with any resale of our ADSs acquired in this offering by our affiliates.

Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our ADSs. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs, and while our application has been made to list our ADSs on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that a regular trading market will develop in the ADSs. We do not expect that a trading market will develop for our ordinary shares not represented by ADSs.

Lock-up Agreements

We, our directors, executive officers, Sequoia, our existing shareholders and option holders and holders of exchangeable notes which are exchangeable into our ordinary shares have agreed, subject to some exceptions, not to sell, transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs or otherwise for a period of 180 days after the date this prospectus.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person who has beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months is entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject to certain restrictions. Persons who are our affiliates (including persons beneficially owning 10% or more of our outstanding shares) may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted securities that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

   

1% of the number of our ordinary shares then outstanding, in the form of ADSs or otherwise, which will equal approximately 3,226,215 shares immediately after this offering, or 3,313,005 shares if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional ADSs; and

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our ADSs on the NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

Such sales are also subject to manner-of-sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than six months but not more than one year may sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act subject to the availability of current public information about us. Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than one year may freely sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act.

Rule 701

Beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, persons other than affiliates who purchased ordinary shares under a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to sell such shares in the United States in

 

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reliance on Rule 701 under the Securities Act, or Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may sell these shares in reliance on Rule 144 subject only to its manner-of-sale requirements. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.

 

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TAXATION

The following is a discussion of the material Cayman Islands, People’s Republic of China and U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to an investment in our ADSs and ordinary shares. The discussion is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular prospective purchaser. The discussion is based on laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion does not address U.S. state or local tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions other than the Cayman Islands, the People’s Republic of China and the United States. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors with respect to the consequences of acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ADSs and ordinary shares.

Cayman Islands Taxation

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty or withholding tax applicable to us or to any holder of our ADSs and ordinary shares. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. No stamp duty is payable in the Cayman Islands on transfers of shares of Cayman Islands companies except those which hold interests in land in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties which are applicable to payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Pursuant to Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (2011 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, we have obtained an undertaking from the Governor-in-Council:

(1) that no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits or income or gains or appreciation shall apply to us or our operations; and

(2) that the aforesaid tax or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall not be payable on our shares, debentures or other obligations.

The undertaking for us is for a period of twenty years from         .

People’s Republic of China Taxation

In the opinion of our PRC counsel, Han Kun Law Offices, the following are the material PRC tax consequences relevant to an investment in our ADSs and ordinary shares. We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and we gain substantial income by way of dividends from our PRC subsidiary. The EIT Law and its Implementation Rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008, provide that China-sourced income of foreign enterprises, such as dividends paid by a PRC subsidiary to its foreign investor, will normally be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 10%, unless any such foreign investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that provides for a different withholding arrangement. The Cayman Islands do not have such a tax treaty with China. According to the Mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Arrangement on Avoiding Double Taxation or Evasion of Taxation on Income agreed between China and Hong Kong in August 2006, or the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement, and other applicable PRC laws, if a Hong Kong resident enterprise is determined by the relevant PRC tax authority to have satisfied the relevant conditions and requirements under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement and other applicable laws, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise receives from a PRC resident enterprise may be reduced to 5%.

Under the EIT Law, enterprises established under the laws of jurisdictions outside China with their “de facto management bodies” located within China may be considered to be PRC tax resident enterprises for tax purposes. If we are considered a PRC tax resident enterprise under the above definition, then our global income will be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25%.

 

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According to the Notice Regarding the Determination of Chinese-Controlled Offshore Incorporated Enterprises as PRC Tax Resident Enterprises on the Basis of De Facto Management Bodies issued by the State Administration of Taxation on April 22, 2009, or Circular 82, a foreign enterprise controlled by a PRC company or a PRC company group will be classified as a “resident enterprise” with its “de facto management bodies” located within China if the following requirements are satisfied: (i) the place where the senior management and core management departments that are in charge of its daily operations perform their duties is mainly located in the PRC; (ii) its financial and human resources decisions are made by or are subject to approval by persons or bodies in the PRC; (iii) its major assets, accounting books, company seals, and minutes and files of its board and shareholders’ meetings are located or kept in the PRC; and (iv) more than half of the enterprise’s directors with voting rights or senior management frequently reside in the PRC. Although Circular 82 only applies to offshore enterprises controlled by PRC enterprises, not those invested in by PRC individuals, like our company, the determining criteria set forth in Circular 82 may reflect the State Administration of Taxation’s general position on how the “de facto management body” test should be applied in determining the tax resident status of offshore enterprises, regardless of whether they are controlled by PRC enterprises or controlled by or invested in by PRC individuals. We do not believe that any of 500wan.com Limited, Fine Brand Limited or 500wan HK Limited meets all of the conditions above. Though we conduct our business principally through contractual arrangements among our wholly owned PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, and decisions relating to our financial and human resource matters are made by personnel of our wholly owned PRC subsidiary and our consolidated affiliated entities in the PRC, each of 500wan.com Limited, Fine Brand Limited or 500wan HK Limited is a company incorporated outside the PRC. As holding companies, these three entities’ key assets and records, including the resolutions of their respective board of directors and the resolutions of their respective shareholders’ meetings, are located and maintained outside the PRC.

The Implementation Rules of the EIT Law provide that, (i) if the enterprise that distributes dividends is domiciled in the PRC, or (ii) if gains are realized from transferring equity interests of enterprises domiciled in the PRC, then such dividends or capital gains are treated as China-sourced income. It is not clear how “domicile” may be interpreted under the EIT Law, and it may be interpreted as the jurisdiction where the enterprise is a tax resident. Therefore, if we are considered as a PRC tax resident enterprise for tax purposes, any dividends we pay to our overseas shareholders or ADS holders as well as gains realized by such shareholders or ADS holders from the transfer of our shares or ADSs may be regarded as China-sourced income and as a result become subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of up to 10.0%.

Moreover, non-resident individual investors may be required to pay PRC individual income tax at a rate of 20% on dividends payable to the investors or any capital gains realized from the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares if such gains are deemed income derived from sources within the PRC. Under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law, or IIT Law, “non-resident individual” refers to an individual who has no domicile in China and does not stay in the territory of China or who has no domicile in China and has stayed in the territory of China for less than one year. Pursuant to the IIT Law and its implementation rules, for purposes of the PRC capital gains tax, taxable income is the balance of the total income obtained from the transfer of the ADSs or ordinary shares minus all the costs and expenses that are permitted under PRC tax laws to be deducted from the income. Therefore, if we are considered a PRC “resident enterprise” and the relevant competent PRC tax authorities consider dividends we pay with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares and the gains realized from the transfer of our ADSs or ordinary shares income derived from sources within the PRC, such gains earned by non-resident individuals may also be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%.

Under SAT Circular 698 issued by the SAT, on December 10, 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008, if a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests of a PRC resident enterprise in an Indirect Transfer, and such overseas holding company is located in a tax jurisdiction that: (i) has an effective tax rate less than 12.5%, or (ii) does not tax foreign income of its residents, the non-resident enterprise, being the transferor, shall report to the PRC competent tax authority of the PRC resident enterprise this Indirect Transfer. Using a “substance over form” principle, the PRC tax authority may disregard the existence of the overseas holding company if it lacks a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of reducing, avoiding, or deferring PRC tax. As a result, gains derived from such Indirect Transfer may be subject to PRC withholding

 

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tax at a rate of up to 10%. SAT Circular 698 also provides that, where a non-PRC resident enterprise transfers its equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise to its related parties at a price lower than the fair market value, the relevant tax authority has the power to make a reasonable adjustment to the taxable income of the transaction. SAT Circular 698 is retroactively effective as of January 1, 2008. There is uncertainty as to the application of SAT Circular 698. SAT Circular 698 may be determined by the tax authorities to be applicable to our offshore restructuring transactions where non-resident investors were involved, if any of such transactions were determined by the tax authorities to lack reasonable commercial purpose. As a result, we and our non-resident investors in such transactions may become at risk of being taxed under SAT Circular 698 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with SAT Circular 698 or to establish that we should not be taxed under the general anti-avoidance rule of the EIT Law, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or such non-resident investors’ investments in us. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.”

Pursuant to the EIT Law and the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax for Non-resident Enterprises promulgated by SAT in January 2009, or the Measures, the entities which have the direct obligation to make the following payments to a non-resident enterprise shall be the relevant tax withholders for such non-resident enterprise, and such payments include: income from equity investment (including dividends and other return on investment), interest, rents, royalties, and income from assignment of property as well as other income subject to enterprise income tax received by non-resident enterprises in China. Further, in case of an equity transfer between two non-resident enterprises which occurs outside China, the non-resident enterprise which receives the equity transfer payment shall, by itself or engage an agent to, file a tax declaration with the competent PRC tax authority, and the PRC company whose equity has been transferred shall assist the tax authorities to collect taxes from the relevant non-resident enterprise. In addition, pursuant to the IIT Law amended on June 30, 2011 and its Implementation Rules, the entities who are obligated to pay the income from interest, stock dividends and bonuses and income from transfer of property which may be treated as PRC source gain and as a result subject to PRC individual income tax, shall be the relevant tax withholders for the individual receiving the aforesaid income who has no domicile and does not stay in the territory of China or who has no domicile but has stayed in the territory of China for less than one year. The entities, as the tax withholders, shall deduct the tax from the payments to the non-resident enterprise or individual directly. In the event the non-resident enterprise or individual fails to file tax returns, submit the information on tax payment within a prescribed time limit, or pay the taxes as required by PRC laws, the tax authority may pursue the payment of the taxes unpaid or underpaid, or impose fines or penalties on such non-resident enterprise or the individual.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Under the EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders,” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises by their non-PRC holding companies.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

In the opinion of our United States counsel, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, the following are the material United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of our ADSs and ordinary shares as of the date hereof. The discussion is applicable only to United States Holders (as defined below) who hold ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets. As used herein, the term “United States Holder” means a beneficial owner of an ADS or ordinary share that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

This discussion does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, including if you are:

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a financial institution;

 

   

a regulated investment company;

 

   

a real estate investment trust;

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a person holding our ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

   

a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities;

 

   

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a person who owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

   

a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes; or

 

   

a person whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar.

The discussion below is based upon the provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. In addition, this discussion is based, in part, upon representations made by the depositary to us and assumes that the deposit agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms.

If a partnership holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our ADSs or ordinary shares, you are urged to consult your tax advisors.

This discussion does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances and, except as set forth below with respect to PRC tax considerations, does not address the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. If you are considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, you are urged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular situation as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

The United States Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holders of ADSs and the issuer of securities underlying the ADSs may be taking actions (including the pre-release of ADSs) that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by United States Holders of ADSs. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described below, applicable to dividends received by non-corporate holders. Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of PRC taxes and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by non-corporate holders, each described

 

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below, could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and our company.

ADSs

If you hold ADSs, for United States federal income tax purposes, you generally will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares that are represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will not be subject to United States federal income tax.

Taxation of Dividends

Subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, the gross amount of distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares (including any amounts withheld to reflect PRC withholding taxes) will be taxable as dividends, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in your gross income as ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by you, in the case of the ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.

With respect to non-corporate United States investors, dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation generally will be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends received from that corporation on ordinary shares (or ADSs backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. We have applied to list the ADSs on the NYSE. Provided that the listing is approved, United States Treasury Department guidance indicates that our ADSs will be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Thus, we believe that dividends we pay on our ADSs will meet the conditions required for the reduced tax rate. Since we do not expect that our ordinary shares will be listed on an established securities market, we do not believe that dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares that are not backed by ADSs currently meet the conditions required for these reduced tax rates. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. A qualified foreign corporation also includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of certain income tax treaties with the United States. In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the EIT Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC, or the Treaty, and if we are eligible for such benefits, dividends we pay on our ordinary shares, regardless of whether such shares are represented by ADSs, would be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. See “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” Non-corporate United States Holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. You are urged to consult your own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules given your particular circumstances.

Non-corporate United States Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. See “—Passive Foreign Investment Company” below.

In the event that we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC tax law, you may be subject to PRC withholding taxes on dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares. See “Taxation—People’s Republic of China Taxation.” In that case, PRC withholding taxes on dividends will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as foreign-source income and will generally constitute passive category income. However, if you have held the ADSs or ordinary shares for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss, or are obligated to make payments related to the dividends, you will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for any PRC

 

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withholding taxes imposed on dividends paid on the ADSs or ordinary shares. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.

To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of your ADSs or ordinary shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by you on a subsequent disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange. However, we do not expect to determine earnings and profits in accordance with United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that a distribution will generally be treated as a dividend (as discussed above).

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Based on our financial statements, and the projected composition of our income and valuation of our assets, including goodwill, we do not expect to be a PFIC for 2013, and we do not expect to become one in the future, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

In general, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which:

 

   

at least 75% of our gross income is passive income, or

 

   

at least 50% of the value (determined based on a quarterly average) of our assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.

For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person). If we own at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, we will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC tests, as owning our proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and receiving our proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. However, it is not entirely clear how the contractual arrangements between us and our affiliated consolidated entities will be treated for purposes of the PFIC rules. If it is determined that we do not own the stock of our consolidated affiliated entities for United States federal income tax purposes, we would likely be treated as a PFIC.

The determination of whether we are a PFIC is made annually. Accordingly, it is possible that we may become a PFIC in the current or any future taxable year due to changes in our asset or income composition. Because we have valued our goodwill based on the projected market value of our equity, a decrease in the price of our ADSs may result in our becoming a PFIC. The composition of our income and our assets will also be affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash raised in this offering. Under circumstances where the cash is not deployed for active purposes, our risk of becoming a PFIC may increase. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules discussed below.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” received and any gain realized from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of ADSs or ordinary shares. Distributions received in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares will be treated as excess distributions. Under these special tax rules:

 

   

the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares,

 

   

the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and

 

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the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

In addition, non-corporate United States Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. You will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 if you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are classified as a PFIC.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our non-United States subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a United States Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.

In lieu of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on the stock of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such stock is regularly traded on a qualified exchange. Under current law, the mark-to-market election will be available to holders of ADSs if the ADSs are listed on the NYSE, which constitutes a qualified exchange, and are “regularly traded” for purposes of the mark-to-market election (for which no assurance can be given). It should also be noted that it is intended that only the ADSs and not the ordinary shares will be listed on the NYSE. Consequently, if you are a holder of ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs, you generally will not be eligible to make a mark-to-market election if we are or were to become a PFIC.

If you make an effective mark-to-market election, you will include in each year that we are a PFIC as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of your ADSs at the end of the year over your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If you make an effective mark-to-market election, any gain you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your ADSs will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election.

Your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules. If you make a mark-to-market election it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the ADSs are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation of the election. You are urged to consult your tax advisor about the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.

A U.S. investor in a PFIC generally can mitigate the consequences of the rules described above by electing to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code. However, this option is not available to you because we do not intend to comply with the requirements necessary to permit you to make this election.

We expect to file annual reports on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in which we will update our expectations as to whether or not we anticipate being a PFIC for such year. We do not intend to make any other annual determination or to otherwise notify you regarding our status as a PFIC for any taxable year. You are urged to consult your tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding ADSs or ordinary shares if we are considered a PFIC in any taxable year.

Taxation of Capital Gains

For United States federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale or exchange of ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the ADSs or ordinary shares and your tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares. Subject to the discussion under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company” above, such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Capital

 

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gains of individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by you will generally be treated as United States source gain or loss. However, if we are treated as a PRC “resident enterprise” for PRC tax purposes and PRC tax were imposed on any gain, and if you are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty, you may elect to treat such gain as PRC source gain under the Treaty. If you are not eligible for the benefits of the Treaty or you fail to make the election to treat any gain as PRC source, then you generally would not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income derived from foreign sources. You will be eligible for the benefits of the Treaty if, for purposes of the Treaty, you are a resident of the United States, and you meet other factual requirements specified in the Treaty. Because qualification for the benefits of the Treaty is a fact-intensive inquiry which depends upon the particular circumstances of each investor, you are specifically urged to consult your tax advisors regarding your eligibility for the benefits of the Treaty. You are also urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences if any PRC tax is imposed on gain on a disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares, including the availability of the foreign tax credit and the election to treat any gain as PRC source, under your particular circumstances.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, information reporting will apply to dividends in respect of our ADSs or ordinary shares and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ADSs or ordinary shares that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless you are an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax generally would apply to such payments if you fail to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of other exempt status or, in the case of dividend payments, if you fail to report in full dividend and interest income.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner.

Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, individuals that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 are required to file an information report with respect to such assets with their tax returns. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons; (ii) financial instruments and contracts held for investment that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties; and (iii) interests in foreign entities. United States Holders that are individuals are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this legislation to their ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is acting as representative of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the number of ADSs set forth opposite its name below. The address of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005.

 

Underwriter

   Number of ADSs

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

Piper Jaffray & Co.

  

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the ADSs sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these ADSs are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the ADSs, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representative has advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the ADSs to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of US$              per ADS. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of US$              per ADS to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions and proceeds before expenses to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

 

     Per ADS      Without
exercise of
over-allotment
option
     With
exercise of
over-allotment
option
 

Public offering price

   US$                US$                US$            

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   US$         US$         US$     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   US$         US$         US$     

We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain out-of-pocket expenses of the underwriters payable by us, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$0.5 million.

Over-allotment Option

We have granted an option to the underwriters to purchase up to additional ADSs at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus solely to cover any over-allotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional ADSs proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

 

 

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Reserved ADSs

At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the public offering price, up to 5% of the ADSs offered by this prospectus for sale to some of our directors, officers, employees, business associates and related persons. If these persons purchase reserved ADSs, this will reduce the number of ADSs available for sale to the general public. Any reserved ADSs that are not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other ADSs offered by this prospectus.

Concurrently with, and subject to, completion of this offering, Sequoia has agreed to purchase from us Class B ordinary shares, at a price per share equal to the public offering price of our ADSs, adjusted to reflect our ADS-to-ordinary share ratio, for the aggregate amount of US$15 million. Assuming an offering price of US$12.00 per ADS, the mid-point of the estimated range of the public offering price as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, Sequoia would purchase 12,500,000 Class B ordinary shares. This investment is being made pursuant to an exemption from registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation S of the Securities Act. Sequoia has agreed, subject to certain customary exceptions, not to, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of the representative on behalf of the underwriters, offer, sell, contract to sell, announce the intention to sell, issue, pledge, lend, grant or purchase any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer, any of our ordinary shares acquired in its investment.

No Sales of Similar Securities

We, our executive officers and directors, our existing shareholders and option holders, Sequoia, and holders of exchangeable notes which are exchangeable into our Class B ordinary shares have agreed not to sell or transfer any ordinary shares, ADSs or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with our ordinary shares or ADSs, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of the representative on behalf of the underwriters. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, not to directly or indirectly:

 

   

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

sell any option or contract to purchase any ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

purchase any option or contract to sell any ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any ordinary shares or ADSs;

 

   

request or demand that we file a registration statement related to our ordinary shares or ADSs; or

 

   

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any ordinary shares or ADSs whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares or ADSs or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the preceding paragraph do not apply to:

 

   

the sale of the ADSs to the underwriters;

 

   

the issuance of Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia by us in connection with the automatic conversion of the convertible note;

 

   

the issuance and sale of Class B ordinary shares to Sequoia by us in a private placement concurrently with completion of this offering;

 

   

the transfer of our ordinary shares by our existing shareholders upon the exchange of exchangeable notes outstanding on the date of and referred to in this prospectus;

 

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the issuance by us of ordinary shares upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of and referred to in this prospectus; and

 

   

the issuance of Class A ordinary shares or the grant of options to purchase Class A ordinary shares under our 2011 share incentive plan.

This lock-up provision applies to our ordinary shares and ADSs and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with our ordinary shares and ADSs. It also applies to our ordinary shares and ADSs owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition.

New York Stock Exchange

We expect the ADSs to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “WBAI.”

Before this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares or ADSs. The public offering price will be determined through negotiations between us and the representative. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the public offering price are:

 

   

the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies that the representative believes to be comparable to us;

 

   

our financial information;

 

   

the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete;

 

   

an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues;

 

   

the present state of our development; and

 

   

the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

An active trading market for the ADSs may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the ADSs will not trade in the public market at or above the public offering price.

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the ADSs in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

Until the distribution of the ADSs is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our ADSs. However, the representative may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the ADSs, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our ADSs in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ADSs than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ over-allotment option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase ADSs through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our ADSs in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the

 

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offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of ADSs made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discounts and commissions received by it because the representative has repurchased ADSs sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our ADSs or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our ADSs. As a result, the price of our ADSs may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our ADSs. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representative will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of ADSs

In connection with the offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail. In addition, the representative may facilitate Internet distribution for this offering to certain of its Internet subscription customers. The representative may allocate a limited number of ADSs for sale to its online brokerage customers. An electronic prospectus may be made available on the Internet website maintained by the representative. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the website of the representative is not part of this prospectus.

Other Relationships

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions.

Selling Restrictions

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the ADSs, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus or any other material relating to us or the ADSs in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the ADSs may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other offering material relating to the ADSs may be distributed or published, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof.

Australia

This document has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:

(a) you confirm and warrant that you are either:

(i) a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia, or the Corporations Act;

(ii) a “sophisticated investor” under section 708(8)(c) or (d) of the Corporations Act and that you have provided an accountant’s certificate to the company which complies with the requirements of section 708(8)(c)(i) or (ii) of the Corporations Act and related regulations before the offer has been made;

(iii) a person associated with the company under section 708(12) of the Corporations Act; or

 

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(iv) “professional investor” within the meaning of section 708(11)(a) or (b) of the Corporations Act,

and to the extent that you are unable to confirm or warrant that you are an exempt sophisticated investor, associated person or professional investor under the Corporations Act any offer made to you under this document is void and incapable of acceptance.

(b) you warrant and agree that you will not offer any of the ADSs issued to you pursuant to this document for resale in Australia within 12 months of those ADSs being issued unless any such resale offer is exempt from the requirement to issue a disclosure document under section 708 of the Corporations Act.

Canada

The ADSs may only be offered, sold or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada or to residents thereof and not in any other province or territory of Canada or to or for the benefit of any resident of any other province or territory of Canada. Such offers or sales will be made pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus with the regulatory authorities in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and will be made only through a dealer duly registered under the applicable securities laws of the province of Ontario or Quebec, as the case may be, or in accordance with an exemption from the applicable registered dealer requirements.

Cayman Islands

This prospectus does not constitute an intention to offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription. The ADSs will not be offered, sold, directly or indirectly in the Cayman Islands.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This document relates to an exempt offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. This document is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in those rules. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with exempt offers. The Dubai Financial Services Authority has not approved this document nor taken steps to verify the information set out in it, and has no responsibility for it. The ADSs which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the ADSs offered should conduct their own due diligence on the ADSs. If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”), no offer of the ADSs will be made to the public in that Relevant Member State (other than offers (the “Permitted Public Offers”) where a prospectus will be published in relation to the ADSs that has been approved by the competent authority in a Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive), except that with effect from and including that Relevant Implementation Date, offers of ordinary shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

  (a) to “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

  (b) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive) ,as permitted in the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

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  (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of the ADSs shall result in a requirement for the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or of a supplement to a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Relevant Member State (other than a Relevant Member State where there is a Permitted Public Offer) who initially acquires any ADSs or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that (A) it is a “qualified investor”, and (B) in the case of any ADSs acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive: (i) the ADSs acquired by it in the offering have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Subscribers has been given to the offer or resale, or (ii) where ADSs have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive, the offer of those ADSs to it is not treated under the Prospectus Directive as having been made to such persons.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any ADSs in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer of any ADSs to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any ADSs, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71 EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

Hong Kong

The ADSs may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Israel

In the State of Israel, the ADSs offered hereby may not be offered to any person or entity other than the following:

(a) a fund for joint investments in trust (i.e., mutual fund), as such term is defined in the Law for Joint Investments in Trust, 5754-1994, or a management company of such a fund;

(b) a provident fund as defined in Section 47(a)(2) of the Income Tax Ordinance of the State of Israel, or a management company of such a fund;

(c) an insurer, as defined in the Law for Oversight of Insurance Transactions, 5741-1981, a banking entity or satellite entity, as such terms are defined in the Banking Law (Licensing), 5741-1981, other than a joint services company, acting for their own account or for the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;

 

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(d) a company that is licensed as a portfolio manager, as such term is defined in Section 8(b) of the Law for the Regulation of Investment Advisors and Portfolio Managers, 5755-1995, acting on its own account or for the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;

(e) a company that is licensed as an investment advisor, as such term is defined in Section 7(c) of the Law for the Regulation of Investment Advisors and Portfolio Managers, 5755-1995, acting on its own account;

(f) a company that is a member of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, acting on its own account or for the account of investors of the type listed in Section 15A(b) of the Securities Law 1968;

(g) an underwriter fulfilling the conditions of Section 56(c) of the Securities Law, 5728-1968;

(h) a venture capital fund (defined as an entity primarily involved in investments in companies which, at the time of investment, (i) are primarily engaged in research and development or manufacture of new technological products or processes and (ii) involve above-average risk);

(i) an entity primarily engaged in capital markets activities in which all of the equity owners meet one or more of the above criteria; and

(j) an entity, other than an entity formed for the purpose of purchasing the ADSs in this offering, in which the shareholders equity (including pursuant to foreign accounting rules, international accounting regulations and U.S. generally accepted accounting rules, as defined in the Securities Law Regulations (Preparation of Annual Financial Statements), 1993) is in excess of NIS 250 million.

Any offeree of the ADSs offered hereby in the State of Israel shall be required to submit written confirmation that it falls within the scope of one of the above criteria. This prospectus will not be distributed or directed to investors in the State of Israel who do not fall within one of the above criteria.

Japan

The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, and ADSs will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to any exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Korea

The ADSs may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the Securities and Exchange Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The ADSs have not been registered with the Financial Supervisory Commission of Korea for public offering in Korea. Furthermore, our ADSs may not be resold to Korean residents unless the purchaser of our ADSs complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with the purchase of our ADSs.

Kuwait

Unless all necessary approvals from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry required by Law No. 31/1990 “Regulating the Negotiation of Securities and Establishment of Investment Funds”, its Executive Regulations and the various Ministerial Orders issued pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, have been given in relation to the marketing and sale of the ADSs, these may not be marketed, offered for sale, nor sold in

 

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the State of Kuwait. Neither this prospectus (including any related document), nor any of the information contained therein is intended to lead to the conclusion of any contract of whatsoever nature within Kuwait.

People’s Republic of China

This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of the PRC except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph, PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Qatar

In the State of Qatar, the offer contained herein is made on an exclusive basis to the specifically intended recipient thereof, upon that person’s request and initiative, for personal use only and shall in no way be construed as a general offer for the sale of securities to the public or an attempt to do business as a bank, an investment company or otherwise in the State of Qatar. This prospectus and the underlying securities have not been approved or licensed by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority or any other regulator in the State of Qatar. The information contained in this prospectus shall only be shared with any third parties in Qatar on a need to know basis for the purpose of evaluating the contained offer. Any distribution of this prospectus by the recipient to third parties in Qatar beyond the terms hereof is not permitted and shall be at the liability of such recipient.

Saudi Arabia

This prospectus may not be distributed in the Kingdom except to such persons as are permitted under the Offers of Securities Regulations issued by the Capital Market Authority. The Capital Market Authority does not make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this prospectus, and expressly disclaims any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from, or incurred in reliance upon, any part of this prospectus. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered hereby should conduct their own due diligence on the accuracy of the information relating to the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial adviser.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of our ADSs may not be circulated or distributed, nor may our ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or SFA, (ii) to a relevant person or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where our ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor; shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 of the SFA, except: (1) to an institutional investor (for corporations under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person pursuant to an offer that is made on terms that such shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that

 

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corporation or such rights and interest in that trust are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction, whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets, and further for corporations, in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; or (3) where the transfer is by operation of law.

Switzerland

This document, as well as any other material relating to the ADSs which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus, do not constitute an issue prospectus pursuant to Article 652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The ADSs will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to the ADSs, including, but not limited to, this document, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of SIX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. The ADSs are being offered in Switzerland by way of a private placement, i.e., to a small number of selected investors only, without any public offer and only to investors who do not purchase the ADSs with the intention to distribute them to the public. The investors will be individually approached by the issuer from time to time. This document, as well as any other material relating to the ADSs, is personal and confidential and do not constitute an offer to any other person. This document may only be used by those investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without express consent of the issuer.It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in (or from) Switzerland.

United Arab Emirates

The ADSs have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United Arab Emirates, except: (1) in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Arab Emirates; and (2) through persons or corporate entities authorized and licensed to provide investment advice and/or engage in brokerage activity and/or trade in respect of foreign securities in the United Arab Emirates. The information contained in this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 (as amended)) or otherwise and is not intended to be a public offer and is addressed only to persons who are sophisticated investors.

United Kingdom

No offer of ADSs has been made or will be made to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of Section 102B of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, or FSMA, except to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities or otherwise in circumstances which do not require the publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to the Prospectus Rules of the Financial Services Authority, or FSA. The underwriters: (i) have only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or in circumstances in which Section 21 of FSMA does not apply to us; and (ii) have complied with, and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by them in relation to the ADSs in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, which are expected to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of the ADSs by us. With the exception of the SEC registration fee and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

SEC registration fee

   US$ 19,320   

NYSE listing fee

   US$ 125,000   

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority filing fee

   US$ 21,500   

Printing and engraving expenses

   US$ 450,000   

Legal fees and expenses

   US$ 1,200,000   

Accounting fees and expenses

   US$ 650,000   

Miscellaneous

   US$ 2,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   US$ 4,465,820   
  

 

 

 

These expenses will be borne by us.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

We are being represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP with respect to legal matters of United States federal securities and New York State law. Certain legal matters of United States federal securities and New York State law in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Shearman & Sterling LLP. The validity of the Class A ordinary shares represented by the ADSs offered in this offering and legal matters as to Cayman Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder. Certain legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Han Kun Law Offices and for the underwriters by Commerce & Finance Law Offices. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely upon Maples and Calder with respect to matters governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands and upon Han Kun Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law. Shearman & Sterling LLP may rely upon Commerce & Finance Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of 500.com Limited (formerly known as 500wan.com Limited and Fine Success Limited) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, included in this prospectus, have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. The financial statements audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP have been included in reliance on their report given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The offices of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP are located at 21st Floor, China Resource Building, No. 5001 Shennan Dong Road, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, including relevant exhibits and schedules under the Securities Act with respect to underlying ordinary shares represented by the ADSs, to be sold in this offering. A related registration statement on F-6 will be filed with the SEC to register the ADSs. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information contained in the registration statement. You may read the registration statement and its exhibits and schedules for further information with respect to us and our ADSs.

Immediately upon closing of this offering, we will become subject to periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. All information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. Additional information may also be obtained over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to furnish the depositary with our annual reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders’ meeting and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice of a shareholders’ meeting received by the depositary from us.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONTENTS

 

     Pages  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     F-2   

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2012

     F-3-F-4   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012

     F-5   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012

     F-6   

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012

     F-7   

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2011 AND 2012

     F-8-F-42   

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

     F-43-F-44   

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     F-45   

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

     F-46   

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-47-F-61   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

500wan.com Limited:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of 500wan.com Limited (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit) for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. 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 audits.

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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and 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 consolidated financial position of 500wan.com Limited at December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP

Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China

April 26, 2013

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares)

 

     Notes      As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
            RMB      RMB      US$  

ASSETS

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

        63,930         31,555         5,156   

Restricted cash

        -         11,209         1,832   

Short-term investments

        4,000         -         -   

Accounts receivable

     4         35,482         22,937         3,748   

Accounts receivable due from employees

        6,013         225         37   

Amounts due from related parties

     15         102,626         188,242         30,758   

Prepayments and other current assets

     5         94,393         68,659         11,219   

Deferred tax assets, current portion

     11         2,079         6,994         1,143   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        308,523         329,821         53,893   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

           

Property and equipment, net

     6         13,914         38,102         6,226   

Intangible assets, net

     7         1,741         2,229         364   

Deposits

     5         7,749         5,463         893   

Deferred initial public offering expenses

        4,349         1,496         244   

Deferred tax assets, non-current

     11         982         841         137   

Other non-current assets

        -         1,391         227   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        28,735         49,522         8,091   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL A SSETS

        337,258         379,343         61,984   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Current liabilities:

           

Dividends payable

     12         104,526         194,526         31,785   

Amount due to a related party

     15         -         8,520         1,392   

Accrued payroll and welfare payable (including accrued payroll and welfare payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB9,003 and RMB7,038 (US$1,147) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

        12,257         10,408         1,701   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB63,464 and RMB60,239 (US$9,815) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

     8         65,479         67,008         10,949   

Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB175 and RMB1,554 (US$253) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

     11         175         1,554         254   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        182,437         282,016         46,081   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares)

 

 

     Note      As of
December 31,

2011
    As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
            RMB     RMB     US$  

Non-current liabilities:

         

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

     11         76,877        88,796        14,509   

Long-term payables (including long-term payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB3,595 and RMB11,151 (US$1,817) as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

        3,595        11,151        1,822   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        80,472        99,947        16,331   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

T OTAL LIABILITIES

        262,909        381,963        62,412   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     16          

Shareholders’ e quity (deficit) :

         

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005 per share; Authorized: 931,878,540 as of December 31, 2011 and 2012; issued and outstanding: 230,768,220 shares and 228,768,220 shares as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

     18         84        84        14   

Additional paid-in capital

     18         247,051        255,781        41,794   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     19         15,930        15,988        2,612   

Accumulated deficit

     10         (188,716     (274,473     (44,848
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity ( deficit )

        74,349        (2,620     (428
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

        337,258        379,343        61,984   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

          For the years ended December 31,  
    Notes     2010     2011     2012     2012  
          RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net revenues

      157,378        232,332        171,527        28,027   

Operating expenses:

         

Cost of services

      (22,052     (24,425     (18,476     (3,019

Sales and marketing

      (14,252     (52,471     (45,794     (7,483

General and administrative

      (34,255     (101,996     (57,784     (9,442

Service development expenses

      (9,299     (19,566     (26,571     (4,342

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

      -        -        (6,404     (1,046
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

      (79,858     (198,458     (155,029     (25,332

Other operating income

      4,667        6,455        4,193        685   

Government grant

      -        1,778        2,242        366   

Other operating expenses

      (537     (296     (1,821     (298
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

O perating profit

      81,650        41,811        21,112        3,448   

Interest income

      102        243        1,132        185   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income t axes

      81,752        42,054        22,244        3,633   

Income tax expenses

    11        (43,463     (28,497     (18,001     (2,940
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

      38,289        13,557        4,243        693   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive income (loss)

         

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

      70        (224     58        9   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

      38,359        13,333        4,301        702   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to net income attributable to ordinary shareholders:

  

Net income       38,289        13,557        4,243        693   

Accretion of Series A contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

    9        (190     -        -        -   

Repurchase of Series B and B-1 contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

    9        24,392        -        -        -   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders

      62,491        13,557        4,243        693   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    17           

Basic

      0.27        0.06        0.02        -   

Diluted

      0.16        0.06        0.02        -   

Pro-forma earnings per share (unaudited):

    23           

Basic

      -        -        0.02        -   

Diluted

      -        -        0.02        -   

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:

    17           

Basic

      219,290,540        230,768,220        229,374,777        229,374,777   

Diluted

      233,492,680        237,243,569        233,678,481        233,678,481   

Pro-forma weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (unaudited):

    23           

Basic

      -        -        243,387,359        243,387,359   

Diluted

      -        -        247,691,063        247,691,063   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”))

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Cash flow from operating activities

        

Net income

     38,289        13,557        4,243        693   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided in operating activities:

        

Depreciation of property and equipment

     2,289        3,589        5,167        844   

Amortization of intangible assets

     70        231        353        58   

Bad debt provision

     100        -        -        -   

Deferred tax expense

     34,328        20,564        7,145        1,167   

Share-based compensation

     -        50,154        13,704        2,239   

Losses on disposal of property and equipment

     87        96        904        148   

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

     -        -        6,404        1,046   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

     (6,400     (16,104     12,545        2,050   

Accounts receivable due from employees

     2,518        88        5,788        946   

Prepayments and other current assets

     (21,004     (29,632     25,662        4,193   

Deposits

     (1,758     (886     2,286        374   

Amount due to a related party

     723        (1,054     -        -   

Accrued payroll and welfare payable

     2,250        2,555        (1,849     (302

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     10,642        28,117        1,212        198   

Income tax payable

     107        (2,972     1,379        225   

Long-term payables

     918        1,122        7,556        1,235   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from operating activities

     63,159        69,425        92,499        15,114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

        

Acquisition of property and equipment

     (3,833     (9,345     (29,840     (4,876

Acquisition of intangible assets

     (1,185     (786     (2,247     (367

Restricted cash

     -        2,500        (11,209     (1,832

Short-term investments

     -        (4,000     4,000        654   

Change in amounts due from related parties

     5,175        (23,800     (85,616     (13,989

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     5        97        43        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities

     162        (35,334     (124,869     (20,403
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

        

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares

     112,362        -        43,006        7,027   

Repurchase of ordinary shares

     -        -        (39,460     (6,448

Repayment of Series B Preferred Shares

     (89,019     -        -        -   

Repayment of Series B-1 Preferred Shares

     (23,224     -        -        -   

Payment of dividends

     (55,375     -        -        -   

Payment for initial public offering expenses

     (1,427     (2,830     (3,551     (580
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (56,683     (2,830     (5     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     6,638        31,261        (32,375     (5,290

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     26,031        32,669        63,930        10,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     32,669        63,930        31,555        5,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

        

Income tax paid

     (8,080     (10,152     (1,920     (314

Interest received

     102        243        1,132        185   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash movements :

        

Issuance of ordinary shares upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares

     49,614        -        -        -   

Payable to a related party from repurchase of ordinary shares

     -        -        8,520        1,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”) except for number of shares)

 

 

     Number of
ordinary shares
    Ordinary
shares
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
    Accumulated
deficit
    Total
shareholders’
equity
(deficit)
 
           RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Balance as of December 31, 2009

     162,646,760        61        34,944        16,084        (104,863     (53,774

Issuance of ordinary shares

     68,121,460        23        161,953        -        -        161,976   

Net income for the year

     -        -        -        -        38,289        38,289   

Other comprehensive income

     -        -        -        70        -        70   

Repurchase of preferred shares

     -        -        -        -        24,392        24,392   

Dividend declared

     -        -        -        -        (159,901     (159,901

Accretion of preferred shares

     -        -        -        -        (190     (190
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 20 10

     230,768,220        84        196,897        16,154        ( 202,273 )       10,862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the year

     -        -        -        -        13,557        13,557   

Other comprehensive loss

     -        -        -        (224     -        (224

Share-based compensation

     -        -        50,154          -        50,154   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 201 1

     230,768,220        84        247,051        15,930        ( 188,716 )       74,349   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income for the year

     -        -        -        -        4,243        4,243   

Other comprehensive income

     -        -        -        58        -        58   

Repurchase and cancellation of ordinary shares

     (19,250,000     (5     (47,975     -        -        (47,980

Issuance of ordinary shares

     17,250,000        5        43,001        -        -        43,006   

Share-based compensation

     -        -        13,704        -        -        13,704   

Dividend declared

     -        -        -        -        (90,000     (90,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 201 2

     228,768,220        84        255,781        1 5 , 9 88        ( 274,473 )       ( 2 , 620 )  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 201 2 , in US$

       14        41,794        2,612        (4 4 ,848 )       ( 428 )  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-7


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

500wan.com Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated under laws of the Cayman Islands on April 20, 2007 under the name Fine Success Limited, which was changed to the current name on May 9, 2011.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company has three wholly owned subsidiaries in British Virgin Island, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and also consolidates three variable interest entities and a subsidiary of a VIE (collectively “VIEs”), details of which are as follows:

 

Entity

   Date of
establishment
   Place of
establishment
   Percentage of
ownership by
the Company
    Principal
activities

Subsidiaries

          

Fine Brand Limited (“BVI”)

  

February 9, 2011

   British Virgin
Islands
  

 

100

  Investment
Holding

500wan HK Limited (“500wan HK”)

   March 8, 2011    Hong Kong      100   Investment
Holding

E-Sun Sky Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“E-Sun Sky Computer”)

   June 18, 2007    PRC      100   Software
Service

VIEs

          

Shenzhen E-Sun Network Co., Ltd. (“E-Sun Network”)

   December 7, 1999    PRC      100   Online Lottery
Service

Shenzhen Youlanguang Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Youlanguang Technology”)

   December 16, 2008    PRC      100   Online Lottery
Service

Shenzhen Guangtiandi Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guangtiandi Technology”)

   December 16, 2008    PRC      100   Online Lottery
Service

Subsidiary of E-Sun Network

          

Shenzhen E-Sun Sky Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“E-Sun Sky Network”)

   May 22, 2006    PRC      100   Online Lottery
Service

The Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Group”.

The Group provides online lottery purchase services in the PRC. The Group’s principal geographic market is in the PRC. The Company does not conduct any substantive operations on its own but instead conducts its business operations through E-Sun Sky Computer and VIEs.

PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of internet business. To comply with these foreign ownership restrictions, the Group operates its websites and provides online lottery purchase services in the PRC through VIEs. The Company has entered into exclusive business cooperation agreements, power of attorney, equity interest pledge agreements, exclusive option agreements, and supplementary agreements to the exclusive option agreements (previously named as exclusive technical consulting and service agreements, power

 

F-8


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION (continued)

 

of attorney, equity pledge agreements, equity interest disposal agreements, financial support agreements, business operation agreements and intellectual properties license agreements before June 1, 2011) (the “Contractual Arrangements”), with the VIEs through E-Sun Sky Computer, which obligate E-Sun Sky Computer to absorb a majority of the expected losses from the activities of the VIEs’ activities, and entitles E-Sun Sky Computer to receive a majority of residual returns from the VIEs. Through these aforementioned agreements, the Company maintains the ability to approve decisions made by the VIEs, and ability to acquire the equity interests in the VIEs when permitted by the PRC laws via E-Sun Sky Computer.

As a result of the Contractual Arrangements, the Company consolidates the VIEs as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall . Effective on January 1, 2010, the Company is required to continue to consolidate the VIEs as through E-Sun Sky Computer under the new guidance in ASU 2009-17 because the Company has determined that 1) E-Sun Sky Computer is most closely associated with the VIEs and the subsidiary of E-Sun Network among the members of the related party group who share the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact their economic performance, and 2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION (continued)

 

The carrying amounts of the assets, liabilities and the results of operations of the VIEs included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

    As of
December 31,
2011
    As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
    RMB     RMB     US$  

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    38,461        16,392        2,678   

Restricted cash

    -        10,609        1,733   

Short-term investments

    4,000        -        -   

Accounts receivable

    17,439        13,531        2,211   

Accounts receivable due from employees

    6,013        225        37   

Amounts due from related parties

    201,650        169,273        27,659   

Prepayments and other current assets

    93,783        67,759        11,072   

Deferred tax assets, current portion

    2,079        6,498        1,062   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    363,425        284,287        46,452   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non- c urrent assets:

     

Property and equipment, net

    11,617        30,929        5,054   

Intangible assets, net

    1,597        1,338        219   

Deposits

    7,581        5,295        865   

Deferred initial public offering expenses

    2,163        250        41   

Deferred tax assets, non-current

    982        841        137   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

    23,940        38,653        6,316   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

    387,365        322,940        52,768   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Current liabilities:

     

Amounts due to related parties

    118,214        46,322        7,569   

Accrued payroll and welfare payable

    9,003        7,038        1,150   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

    63,464        60,239        9,843   

Income tax payable

    175        1,554        254   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    190,856        115,153        18,816   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

     

Long-term payables

    3,595        11,151        1,822   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non- current liabilities

    3,595        11,151        1,822   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    194,451        126,304        20,638   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012      2012  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      US$  

Net revenues

     157,378         169,463         113,566         18,557   

Net income

     207,481         39,257         3,720         608   

 

F-10


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. ORGANIZATION (continued)

 

There was no pledge or collateralization of the VIEs’ assets. Creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of E-Sun Sky Computer, which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. In addition, the Company has not provided any financial support to its VIEs as of December 31, 2012.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation and use of estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the Group’s financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets, realization of deferred tax assets, share-based compensation, Series A, B and B-1 Preferred Shares, and consolidation of variable interest entities. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Changes in Presentation of Comparative Information

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year’s presentation.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest. The results of the subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group obtained control and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. A controlling financial interest is typically determined when a company holds a majority of the voting equity interest in an entity. However, if the company demonstrates its ability to control the VIEs through its rights to all the residual benefits of the VIEs and its obligation to fund losses of the VIEs then the entity is consolidated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions among the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs have been eliminated in consolidation.

Convenience translation

Translations of amounts from Renminbi (“RMB”) into United States dollars for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB6.1200 on September 30, 2013 in the city of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at such rate.

Foreign currency

The functional currency of the Company, BVI and 500wan HK is the United States dollars. E-Sun Sky Computer and VIEs determined their functional currencies to be the RMB, which is their respective local currency based on the criteria of ASC subtopic 830-10, Foreign Currency Matters: Overall . The Company uses the monthly average exchange rate for the year and the exchange rate at the balance sheet date to translate the operating results

 

F-11


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Foreign currency (continued)

 

and financial position, respectively. Translation differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity. The Company uses the RMB as its reporting currency.

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand and demand deposits which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash represents amounts of cash held by a bank which were granted to the Company by various government authorities. The restricted cash can only be used for the purchase of specified fixed assets for certain approved projects.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments represent the investments that the Group has positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, which are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are stated at amortized cost. The Group evaluates whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is other than temporary in accordance to ASC 320-10-35, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities: Overall—Subsequent Measurement . If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual security would be written down to its fair value as a charge to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The short-term investment matured in February 2012.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivables are carried at net realizable value. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded when collection of the amount is no longer probable. In evaluating the collectability of receivable balances, the Group considers factors such as customer circumstances or age of the receivable. Accounts receivable are written off after all collection efforts have ceased. Collateral is not typically required, nor is interest charged on accounts receivable.

Accounts receivable due from employees

Under the current prize payout scheme of national and provincial lottery products, prizes can only be claimed by natural persons who present the winning lottery tickets at the time of collection. Accounts receivable due from employees represents cash from winning tickets deposited into certain employees’ personal bank accounts which will be transferred into the Group’s bank accounts prior to allocation to the winner’s accounts. The Company employs several measures to ensure that the employees’ personal bank accounts are under the Company’s control, for example, keeping a record of the account numbers, passwords, online login information and electronic banking keys of such personal accounts, and monitoring the account activities constantly.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

 

Category

  

Estimated Useful Life

  

Estimated Residual Value

Electronic and office equipment

   3-5 years    5%

Motor vehicles

   10 years    2-5%

Leasehold improvement

  

Shorter of lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets

   -

Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterment that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets represent computer software and purchased domain name. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are set out as follows:

 

Category

  

Estimated Useful Life

Computer software

   5 years

Purchased domain name

   10 years

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Group evaluates its long-lived assets or asset group with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying amount of a group of long-lived assets may not be fully recoverable. When these events occur, the Group evaluates the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Group recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. No impairment charge for the long-lived assets was recognized for any of the years presented.

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts receivable due from employees, amounts due from related parties and amount due to a related party. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Revenue recognition

The Group’s revenues are derived principally from online lottery purchase services. Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 605-10, Revenue Recognition: Overall , when all of the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) the service has been rendered; (iii) the fees are fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Online lottery purchase services

The Group earns service income for online lottery purchase services and revenues are generated from processing lottery purchase orders from end users (“Service Fee”). The Group receives purchase orders from end users through its websites and processes the orders with the lottery administration centers. Service Fee is received from the lottery administration centers based on the pre-determined service fee rate and the total amount of the processed orders. Pursuant to ASC 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations , the Group records Service Fee on a net basis because the Group is not the primary obligor in the arrangement, but acts as an agent in providing such purchase services.

Contingent service fee

The Group is entitled to receive additional Service Fee from lottery administration centers when the total amounts of purchase orders reach an agreed threshold (“Contingent Service Fee”). As the Group is the agent in providing lottery purchase services, any Contingent Service Fee received is recorded as net revenue when the agreed thresholds are reached. Once the Group reaches the agreed thresholds, the Contingent Service Fee is then fixed and not subject to any adjustments.

The Super VIP incentive

Certain qualified end users (“Super VIP”) are entitled to receive incentives from the Group based on actual purchase amount of each transaction. As the Group does not receive an additional service or benefit from the Super VIP other than service fee earned from lottery administration centers by the Group from the transaction, the incentives are recognized as a reduction of revenue at each year end in accordance with ASC 605-50, Customer Payments and Incentives.

Lottery pool purchase service

Lottery pools involve individual end users purchasing a share in a pooled lottery outcome or group of outcomes with other users. Through the lottery pool purchase service, an end user, an initiator, starts a lottery pool by specifying a range of parameters, such as the lottery portfolio, total purchase amount and payout ratio. The initiator is required to commit a minimum initial purchase amount when they initiate a pool, usually a certain percentage of the total purchase amount. Other end users then join the pool by agreeing to the parameters set by the initiator and committing on the purchase amount. When the total purchase amount as specified by the initiator is reached, the pooled lottery purchase order will be delivered in the manner specified by the initiator. When the actual purchase amount does not reach the total purchase amount as specified by the initiator but reaches a certain percentage of total purchase amount before the lottery pool purchase deadline, in order to complete the lottery pool transaction, the Group contributes the remaining outstanding purchase amount (i.e., residual amount of lottery pool). If the tickets win prizes from the lottery, the Group distributes the cash prizes to the end users based on the predetermined payout ratio, and the residual amount after distribution is retained by the Group.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Lottery pool purchase service (continued)

 

As the Group contributes the residual amount of lottery pool in order to earn Service Fee from the purchase made by the lottery pool and does not provide any service to the lottery administration centers, the residual amount of lottery pool contributed by the Group paid to the lottery administration centers is recognized as a reduction of revenue. As the Group’s principal activity is to provide lottery purchase services to end users, the residual amount of the lottery pool retained by the Group after distribution of the prizes are presented as “other operating income”, and recognized upon the announcement of lottery results.

Adoption of ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605).

The Company adopted ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) , from January 1, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 had no material effect on the financial statements in periods after the initial adoption.

Cost of services

Cost of services comprises employee costs, business tax and surcharges and other direct costs incurred in providing the purchase services. These costs are expensed as incurred.

Business tax and surcharges

Business tax and surcharges for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 of RMB5,254, RMB7,639 and RMB5,485 (US$896) respectively, were recorded in cost of services in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Group’s online lottery purchase services are subject to business taxes, surcharges and cultural development fees totaling approximately 3.37%-5.61% of revenues before deduction for incentives to certain registered users and residual amount payment to complete the lottery pool purchase.

Sales and marketing expenses

Commission to certain internet companies

The Group is responsible to pay certain internet companies a predetermined fixed percentage of the total purchase or deposit amount only if 1) public users enter the Group’s websites by redirection through these internet companies’ websites, and/or 2) public users have successfully purchased any lottery tickets or deposited certain amounts of cash into their accounts in the Group’s websites. The Group is responsible for providing services when such public users enter the Group’s websites to purchase lottery tickets. Neither service has been provided by these internet companies, nor have separate lottery service agreements been entered into between internet companies and public users. Since these internet companies are providing similar services as those services that have been provided by the Group’s internal sale personal/agent, any relevant costs to be paid by the Group is treated as sales and marketing expenses.

Advertising expenditure

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “sales and marketing expenses” in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Advertising expenses were approximately RMB2,329, RMB20,848 and RMB12,143 (US$1,984) for years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Sponsorship expenses

A significant amount of the Company’s sales and marketing expenses consist of payments under a sponsorship contract. Accounting for sponsorship payments is based upon specific contract provisions.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Sales and marketing expenses (continued)

 

Sponsorship expenses (continued)

 

Generally, sponsorship payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract after giving recognition to periodic performance provisions of the contract. Prepayments made under the contract are included in prepayments based on the period to which the prepayments apply.

Awards granted to certain qualified end users

All new end users are entitled to receive bonus credits from the Group upon the initial registration of their user accounts and all existing users are entitled to receive bonus credits from the Group by depositing a specified amount of cash into their user accounts during a marketing promotion period. The end users can only apply the bonus credits received against future lottery product purchases processed by the Group. The bonus credits are recognized as sales and marketing expenses when the bonus credits are granted to the end users.

All new and existing end users are entitled to receive additional prize money for winning tickets from selected lotteries purchased through the Group during a marketing promotion period. The cost of the additional prize money is to be shared between the lottery administration centers and the Group at a predetermined percentage or funded entirely by the Group. As the Group does not receive an identifiable benefit in return for the consideration that is sufficiently separable from the lottery administration centers’ purchase of lottery processing services from the Group, the additional prize money provided to the lottery administration center, are recognized as a reduction of revenue at each period end in accordance with ASC 605-50, Customer Payments and Incentives .

Service development expenses

Service development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses incurred for the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of the Group’s websites that either (i) did not meet the ASC 350-50-25 capitalization criteria; or (ii) met the capitalization criteria but the capitalizable internal costs cannot be separated on a reasonably cost-effective basis between maintenance and relatively minor upgrades and enhancements. Service development expenses are recognized as expenses when incurred.

Leases

The Group leases certain office facilities under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases, generally with an option to renew upon expiry of the lease term. In accordance with ASC 840, Leases , leases for a lessee are classified at the inception date as either a capital lease or an operating lease. For the lessee, a lease is a capital lease if any of the following conditions exist: a) ownership is transferred to the lessee by the end of the lease term, b) there is a bargain purchase option, c) the lease term is at least 75% of the properties estimated remaining economic life or d) the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term is 90% or more of the fair value of the leased property to the lessor at the inception date. A capital lease is accounted for as if there was an acquisition of an asset and an incurrence of an obligation at the inception of the lease. The Group had no capital lease for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Income taxes

The Group follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will be in effect in the period in which the differences are

 

F-16


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Income taxes (continued)

 

expected to reverse. The Group records a valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period that includes the enactment date.

On January 1, 2007, the Group adopted ASC 740-10, Income taxes: Overall, (Pre-Codification: FIN48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No, 109) , to account for uncertainties in income taxes. There was no cumulative effect of the adoption of ASC 740-10 to beginning retained earnings. Interest and penalties arising from underpayment of income taxes shall be computed in accordance with the related PRC tax law. The amount of interest expense is computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between the tax position recognized and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Interest and penalties recognized in accordance with ASC 740-10 is classified in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as income tax expense.

In accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10, the Group recognizes in its financial statements the impact of a tax position if a tax return position or future tax position is “more likely than not” to sustained upon examination based solely on the technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the “more likely than not” recognition threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Group’s estimated liability for unrecognized tax benefits which is included in the “long-term payables” account is periodically assessed for adequacy and may be affected by changing interpretations of laws, rulings by tax authorities, changes and/or developments with respect to tax audits, and expiration of the statute of limitations. The outcome for a particular audit cannot be determined with certainty prior to the conclusion of the audit and, in some cases, appeal or litigation process. The actual benefits or liability ultimately realized may differ from the Group’s estimates. As each audit is concluded, adjustments, if any, are recorded in the Group’s financial statements. Additionally, in future periods, changes in facts, circumstances, and new information may require the Group to adjust the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recognized in the period in which the changes occur.

Share-based compensation

Share options granted to employees and directors

Share options granted to employees and the director are accounted for under ASC 718, Share-Based Payment . In accordance with ASC 718, the Company determines whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or an equity award. All grants of share options to employees and the director classified as equity awards, are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. There were no liability awards granted during any of the periods stated herein. The Company recognizes compensation expenses using the straight-line method for share options granted with graded vesting based on service conditions.

ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in the subsequent period if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical and future

 

F-17


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Share-based compensation (continued)

 

Share options granted to employees and directors (continued)

 

expectation of employee turnover rate and is adjusted to reflect future change in circumstances and facts, if any. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures such that expense was recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest. To the extent the Company revises this estimate in the future, the share-based payments could be materially impacted in the period of revision, as well as in following periods.

The compensation costs associated with a modification of the terms of the award (“modification award”) are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition has been achieved. Such compensation costs cannot be less than the grant-date fair value of the original award. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the modification award over the fair value of the original award at the modification date. Therefore, in relation to the modification award, the Company recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the new options, which comprises, (1) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term, and (2) any unrecognized compensation cost of original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever is higher for each reporting period.

Share options granted to non-employees

The Company records share-based compensation expense for awards granted to consultants in exchange for services at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, Equity based payment to non-employees . As the share options granted to non-employees were fully vested on the grant date, the related compensation expense was fully recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on the grant date.

The Company, with the assistance of an independent valuation firm, determined the fair values of the share-based compensation options recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The binomial option pricing model is applied in determining the estimated fair value of the options granted to employees and non-employees.

Share split

On April 26, 2011, the Company effected a share split by which each of the Company’s ordinary share, par value US$0.001 per share, was split into 20 ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share. All ordinary share and per share information before April 26, 2011 are adjusted retroactively for this share split for all periods presented in accordance with ASC 260-10-55-12, Earnings Per Share .

Deferred initial public offering expenses

Direct costs incurred by the Group attributable to its proposed initial public offering of ordinary shares in the United States have been deferred. Such costs, including legal and other professional fees, are recorded as deferred initial public offering expenses in the consolidated balance sheets and will be charged against the gross proceeds received from such offering. The Group expensed the previously deferred initial public offering

 

F-18


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Deferred initial public offering expenses (continued)

 

expenses of RMB6,404 (US$1,046) associated with its prior registration statements on Form F-1 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The initial public offering was postponed for a period in excess of 90 days and as a result the Group deemed it to be an aborted offering in accordance with ASC 340-10-S99-1.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share are calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share . Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income attributable to holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net income is allocated between common shares and other participate securities based on their participating rights. The Group’s preferred shares are considered participating securities.

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to holders of ordinary shares as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary equivalent shares, if any, by the weighted-average number of ordinary and dilutive ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the period. Dilutive equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share if their effects would be anti-dilutive. Ordinary share equivalents consist of the ordinary shares issuable in connection with the Group’s convertible redeemable preferred shares using the if-converted method.

Government grants

Government grants are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the attached conditions will be complied with. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as operating income over the period necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the related costs. Where the grant relates to an asset acquisition, it is recognized as a deferred government grant and recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as operating income in proportion to the depreciation of the related assets.

Recent accounting pronouncement

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For public entities, the amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-2 will have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

3. CONCENTRATION OF RISKS

Concentration of credit risk

Assets that potentially subject the Group to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2012, substantially all of the Group’s cash was deposited in financial institutions located in the PRC and Hong Kong, which management believes are of high credit quality. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from commission earned from lottery administration centers in the PRC. The risk with respect to accounts receivable is mitigated by credit evaluations the Group performs on its lottery administration centers and its ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances.

Concentration of suppliers

Approximately 90.7%, 90.3% and 98.3% of total net revenues were derived from service fees received from lottery purchased from three lottery administration centers for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. The significance of the service fees received from the three lottery administration centers are as follows. The service fees received from the respective lottery administration centers represent net revenues recognized before the reduction of: (i) incentives paid to end users and (ii) the residual amount of lottery pool contributed by the Group.

 

     For the years ended December 31  
     2010      2011      2012      2012  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      US$  

Lottery administration center A

     90,620         133,809         111,533         18,224   

Lottery administration center B

     31,673         34,744         43,440         7,098   

Lottery administration center C

     20,397         41,339         13,653         2,231   

Concentration of serviced lottery products

Approximately 88.1%, 88.0% and 88.0% of total net revenues was derived from five lottery products for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Current vulnerability due to certain other concentrations

The Group’s operations may be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties in the PRC. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than 30 years, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC’s political, economic and social conditions. There is also no guarantee that the PRC government’s pursuit of economic reforms will be consistent or effective.

The Group transacts the majority of its business in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. On January 1, 1994, the PRC government abolished the dual rate system and introduced a single rate of exchange as quoted daily by the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”). However, the unification of the exchange rates does not imply that the RMB may be readily convertible into United States dollars or other foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions continue to take place either through the PBOC or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the PBOC. Approval of foreign currency payments by the PBOC or other institutions requires submitting a payment application form together with suppliers’ invoices, shipping documents and signed contracts. Additionally, the value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the PRC foreign exchange trading system market.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable and the related allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

Accounts receivable

     35,482         22,937         3,748   

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     -         -         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

     35,482         22,937         3,748   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5. PREPAYMENTS, OTHER CURRENT ASSETS AND DEPOSITS

Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

Prepayments

     6,233         968         158   

Deposits for future lottery ticket purchase

     56,815         45,055         7,362   

Receivables from third party payment service providers

     11,812         5,997         980   

Receivables from third parties

     3,327         1,924         314   

Receivables from lottery administration centers for winnings

     12,302         5,960         974   

Deferred sponsorship and advertising expenses

     1,356         6,891         1,126   

Others

     2,548         1,864         305   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     94,393         68,659         11,219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

Deposits for lottery ticket equipments and office leases

     7,749         5,463         893   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits for future lottery ticket purchase represent cash paid in advance by the Group to lottery administration centers for the purchase of lottery tickets.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

6. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
    As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

Electronic and office equipment

     12,506        18,962        3,098   

Motor vehicles

     3,862        4,772        780   

Leasehold improvement

     6,991        27,327        4,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, cost

     23,359        51,061        8,343   

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (9,445     (12,959     (2,117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     13,914        38,102        6,226   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expenses were approximately RMB2,289, RMB3,589 and RMB5,167 (US$844) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
    As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

Cost:

      

Software

     1,313        2,168        354   

Domain name

     758        658        108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,071        2,826        462   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

      

Software

     (144     (427     (70

Domain name

     (186     (170     (28
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (330     (597     (98
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

     1,741        2,229        364   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expenses were approximately RMB70, RMB231 and RMB353 (US$58) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Annual estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

 

     RMB      US$  

2013

     353         58   

2014

     353         58   

2015

     353         58   

2016

     353         58   

2017 and thereafter

     817         132   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,229         364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-22


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

Advance from end users

     44,146         30,505         4,984   

Business tax and other taxes payable

     2,618         5,396         882   

Deferred government grant

     2,800         14,702         2,402   

Professional fee payable

     2,800         4,823         788   

Advertising and sponsorship payable

     8,870         2,653         433   

Others

     4,245         8,929         1,460   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     65,479         67,008         10,949   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advance from end users represents 1) payments received by the Group in advance from the end users prior to purchase of lottery tickets, and 2) prize distribution made by the Group to the winning end users’ registered account.

 

9. CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES

Issuance of Series A, B and B-1 contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares

On September 29, 2007, the Company issued 1,200,000 Series A Preferred Shares with a conversion price of US$3.3130 to three shareholders of Delite Limited (“Series A Investors”) in exchange for Series A Investors’ 12% equity interest in Delite Limited, a investor of the Company.

On September 29, 2007, the Company issued 1,513,768 Series B Preferred Shares, and 692,305 Series B-1 Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of US$14,293. The conversion price of Series B Preferred Shares and Series B-1 Preferred Shares are US$6.4739 and US$6.4901, respectively.

Conversion of Series A Preferred Shares

On February 2, 2010, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares converted all of the Series A Preferred Shares into ordinary shares.

Repurchase of Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares

On March 17, 2010, the Company repurchased all of Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of US$16,437. These shares were immediately retired following the repurchase by the Company.

The key terms of Series A, B and B-1 Preferred Shares (collectively, the “Preferred Share”) are summarized as follows:

Voting rights

Each holder of the Preferred Shares is entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of ordinary shares into which such holder’s Preferred Shares could be converted at the record date for determination of the Company’s shareholders entitled to vote on such matters.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

9. CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES (continued)

 

Liquidation preference

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Preferred Shares are entitled to receive, prior to and in preference to any distribution of any other class or series of shares by reason of their ownership of such shares, the amount equal to the 100% of the original issue price plus an amount equal to all declared or accrued but unpaid dividends thereon (the “Preferred Shares Liquidation Preference”).

Dividends

No dividends (other than those payable solely in ordinary shares) shall be declared or paid on the ordinary shares or any future series of preference shares, unless and until a dividend in like amount is declared and paid on each outstanding Preferred Shares (on an as-if-converted basis) in the following order of priority: (i) first, to the holders of Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares on a pari passu basis; (ii) second, to the holders of Series A Preferred Shares.

Conversion rights

Each Preferred Share shall, at the option of the holder, be converted at any time into ordinary shares based on the then-effective applicable conversion price. The conversion price is initially the original issue price and subject to adjustment for dividends, share splits, combination, sales of shares under conversion price of Preferred Shares and future profits.

Each Preferred Share shall automatically be converted into ordinary shares based on the then-effective applicable conversion price upon (a) the closing of a qualified initial public offering, or (b) the date specified by written consent or agreement of the holders of at least 75% of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class as to its conversion.

Redemption

The Preferred Shares shall be redeemable at the option of holders of the Preferred Shares as provided herein:

Optional Redemption Date. At any time beginning on the earlier of (i) the date that is 5 years after the Original Series B Issue Date (September 29, 2007); (ii) the date on which another series of Shares is redeemable at the written request to the Company made by a holder of Series A Preferred Shares, Series B Preferred Shares or Series B-1 Preferred Shares, (iii) the date of the Redemption Trigger Event (as defined below), or (iv) the date agreed between the Company and 75% or more of holders of outstanding Preferred Shares, such holder may require that the Company redeem all of such holder of Series A, B and B-1 Preferred Shares in accordance with the following terms. The “Redemption Trigger Event” shall mean the failure of any group company to obtain one of the first three licenses for the online lottery business to be granted by the Ministry of Finance or any other applicable governmental authority in the People’s Republic of China upon the date such online lottery licenses are granted by the PRC Governmental Authorities.

Redemption Price. The redemption price for each Preferred Share requested to be redeemed shall be equal to the higher of (i) a price per share which is one hundred forty percent (140%) of the original issue price plus all declared or accrued but unpaid dividends thereon up until the date of redemption, proportionally adjusted for any share splits, share dividends, combinations, recapitalizations or similar transactions, or (ii) the fair market value of the Preferred Share.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

9. CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES (continued)

 

Accounting for the preferred shares

The Preferred Shares are classified as mezzanine equity as these preferred shares can be redeemed at the option of the holders on or after an agreed upon date. Since it was probable upon issuance that Preferred Shares would be redeemed, each issuance of the Preferred Shares was recognized at its total proceeds net of direct and incremental costs at issuance date, except Series A Preferred Shares which are further discussed below.

On September 29, 2007, three shareholders of Delite Limited agreed to acquire 1,200,000 Series A contingently redeemable convertible preferred shares (“Series A Preferred Shares”) in exchange for 1,200,000 ordinary shares of the Company held through their 12% equity interest in Delite Limited. The Company adopted an accounting policy where any amendment to the terms of equity-classified instruments, or any issuance of new equity-classified instruments in exchange of existing equity-classified instruments with different terms, with the exception of ministerial changes, is accounted for as extinguishment of the existing instrument and a concurrent issuance of a new instrument. Therefore, on the date of exchange, the Company recognized the issuance of Series A Preferred Shares at fair value, and any difference between the carrying value of ordinary share and fair value of Series A Preferred Shares was recognized as income available to the shareholders.

The holders of the Preferred Shares have the ability to convert the shares into the Company’s ordinary shares. The conversion option did not require bifurcation because the feature is clearly and closely related to the host equity instrument. Additionally, the conversion option does not meet the net settlement criterion to be considered a derivative as the underlying ordinary shares are not publicly traded nor ready convertible into cash.

A beneficial conversion feature exists when the conversion price of Preferred Share is lower than the fair value of the ordinary shares at the commitment date. When a beneficial conversion feature exists as of the commitment date, its intrinsic value is bifurcated from the carrying value of the preferred shares as a contribution to additional paid-in capital. The resulting discount to the Preferred Shares is then accreted to the redemption value immediately. The Company determined the fair value of ordinary shares with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation firm. No beneficial conversion feature was recognized for the Preferred Shares as the fair value per ordinary share at each issuance date was less than the most favorable conversion price for each issuance.

The Company elected to recognize the changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and adjust the carrying amount of the instrument to equal the redemption value at each reporting period. The changes in redemption value were recorded as a reduction of income available to ordinary shareholders.

Upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Shares, the excess of carrying amount of the Series A Preferred Shares over the par value of ordinary shares issued upon conversion date was accounted for as an addition to additional paid-in capital.

Upon the repurchase of Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares, the excess of the carrying amount of the Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares over the repurchase price upon repurchase date was accounted for as an increase of income available to ordinary shareholders.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

9. CONTINGENTLY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED SHARES (continued)

 

Accounting for the preferred shares (continued)

 

The movement of carrying value of the Preferred Shares is as follows:

 

     Series A
Preferred
Shares
    Series B
Preferred
Shares
    Series B-1
Preferred
Shares
    Total  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB  

Balance as of January 1, 2010

     49,424        93,683        42,952        186,059   

Accretion

     190        -        -        190   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (8     (27     (12     (47

Conversion

     (49,606     -        -        (49,606

Repurchase

     -        (93,656     (42,940     (136,596
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     -        -        -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

10. ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

The Company’s ability to pay dividends is primarily dependent on the Company receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by the Group’s PRC subsidiary only out of its retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of the Company’s PRC subsidiary.

In accordance with the Regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment of China and its Articles of Association, Company’s PRC subsidiary, E-Sun Sky Computer, being a foreign-invested enterprise established in the PRC, is required to provide for certain statutory reserves, namely the general reserve fund, enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund, all of which are appropriated from net profit as reported in its PRC statutory accounts. E-Sun Sky Computer is required to allocate at least 10% of its after-tax profits to the general reserve fund until such fund has reached 50% of its registered capital. Appropriations to the enterprise expansion fund and staff welfare and bonus fund are at the discretion of the board of directors of the E-Sun Sky Computer.

In accordance with the China Company Laws, the Company’s VIEs are PRC domestic companies (i.e. E-Sun Network, E-Sun Sky Network, Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology), and they must make appropriations from their after-tax profits as reported in their PRC statutory accounts to non-distributable reserve funds, namely statutory surplus fund, statutory public welfare fund and discretionary surplus fund. The VIEs are required to allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profits to the statutory surplus fund until such fund has reached 50% of their respective registered capital. Appropriation to discretionary surplus is made at the discretion of each individual VIE.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

10. ACCUMULATED DEFICIT (continued)

 

The general reserve fund and statutory surplus fund are restricted to set-off against losses, expansion of production and operation and increasing registered capital of the respective company. The staff welfare and bonus fund and statutory public welfare fund are restricted to the capital expenditures for the collective welfare of employees. The reserves are not allowed to be transferred to the Company in terms of cash dividends, loans or advances, nor are they available for distribution except under liquidation.

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
    As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
December 31,
2012
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

PRC statutory reserved funds

     21,980        19,724        3,224   

Unreserved accumulated deficit

     (210,696     (294,197     (48,072
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (188,716     (274,473     (44,848
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Under PRC laws and regulations, there are restrictions on the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs with respect to transferring certain of their net assets to the Company either in the form dividends, loans, or advances. Amounts restricted include paid-in capital, statutory reserve funds and retained earnings of the Company’s PRC subsidiary and VIEs, as determined pursuant to PRC generally accepted accounting principles, totaling approximately RMB207,131 (US$33,845) as of December 31, 2012; therefore in accordance with Rules 504 and 4.08 (e) (3) of Regulation S-X, the condensed parent company only financial statements as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 are disclosed in note 22.

Furthermore, cash transfers from the Company’s PRC subsidiary to its subsidiaries outside of China are subject to PRC government control of currency conversion. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict the ability of the PRC subsidiary and consolidated affiliated entities to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends or other payments to the Company, or otherwise satisfy their foreign currency denominated obligations.

 

11. INCOME TAXES

Cayman Islands

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, upon payments of dividends by the Company to its shareholders, no Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed.

British Virgin Islands

Under the current laws of the British Virgin Islands, the subsidiary of BVI is not subject to tax on income or capital gains.

Hong Kong

Under the current laws, profits tax in Hong Kong is generally assessed at the rate of 16.5% of taxable income.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

11. INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

China

A new enterprise income tax law (the “EIT Law”) in the PRC was enacted and became effective on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax (“EIT”) rate to both foreign invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. Accordingly, Youlanguang Technology and Guangtiandi Technology are subject to the EIT rate of 25% for the three years ended December 31, 2012.

The EIT Law provides a transition period from its effective date for enterprises which were established before the promulgation date of the EIT Law and were entitled to a preferential tax treatment such as a reduced tax rate or a tax holiday. According to the transitional rule, certain categories of enterprises, including the enterprises located in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone which previously enjoyed a preferential EIT rate of 15%, are eligible for a five-year transition period during which the EIT rate will be gradually increased to the uniform rate of 25%. Therefore, E-Sun Network is subject to the transitional EIT rate of 22%, 24% and 25% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

E-Sun Sky Network, which is qualified as “Software Enterprise”, was granted an exemption of EIT for its first two years of operations and a half reduction in tax rate for succeeding three years commencing from the first profit-making year. 2006 was the first year of EIT exemption for E-Sun Sky Network. In addition, E-Sun Sky Network is subject to aforesaid transition rule. As a result, E-Sun Sky Network is subject to EIT at the rate of 11%, 24% and 25% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In February 2011, E-Sun Sky Network obtained the certificate of “Key Software Enterprise” and therefore was granted a preferential income tax rate of 10% for the year ended December 31, 2010. In October 2011, E-Sun Sky Network obtained the certificate of “High-tech Enterprise” and was granted a preferential income tax rate of 15% for the three years commencing from 2011.

In March 2011, E-Sun Sky Computer obtained the certificate of “Software Enterprise”, and was granted an exemption of EIT for its first two years of operations and a half reduction in tax rate for succeeding three years commencing from the first profit-making year. 2011 was the first year of EIT exemption for E-Sun Sky Computer and E-Sun Sky Computer is subject to EIT at the rate of 25%, 0% and 0% in 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Income (loss) before income taxes consists of:

 

     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Cayman Island

     (301     (667     (2,842     (464

British Virgin Island

     -        (3     (22     (4

Hong Kong

     -        -        (159     (26

PRC

     82,053        42,724        25,267        4,127   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     81,752        42,054        22,244        3,633   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

11. INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

China (continued)

 

The current and deferred components of the income tax expense appearing in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Current tax expense

     (9,135     (7,933     (10,856     (1,773

Deferred tax expense

     (34,328     (20,564     (7,145     (1,167
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     (43,463     (28,497     (18,001     (2,940
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The reconciliation of tax computed by applying the statutory income tax rate applicable to PRC operations to income tax expense is as follows:

 

     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Income before income taxes

     81,752        42,054        22,244        3,633   

Income tax computed at applicable tax rates (25%)

     20,438        10,513        5,561        908   

Effect of different tax rates in different jurisdictions

     75        168        755        123   

Non-deductible expenses

     1,269        15,164        8,603        1,406   

Additional taxable expenses

     -        (1,935     -        -   

Effect of tax holiday

     (9,637     (11,783     (8,449     (1,381

Effect of tax rate changes

     (3,692     (4,110     (3,076     (503

Change in valuation allowance

     170        (79     1,621        265   

Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties

     (707     305        544        89   

Over-accrued EIT for previous years

     -        (1,253     -        -   

Outside basis differences

     35,563        21,482        11,919        1,948   

Others

     (16     25        523        85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     43,463        28,497        18,001        2,940   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Balance at beginning of year

     1,552        2,833        4,315        705   

Increase relating to current year tax positions

     2,455        2,738        7,464        1,220   

Decrease relating to prior year tax positions

     -        (1,253     -        -   

Decrease relating to expiration of applicable statute of limitations

     (1,174     (3     (202     (33
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

     2,833        4,315        11,577        1,892   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, there are RMB1,723, RMB1,150 and RMB6,024 (US$984) of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the annual effective tax rate if recognized. The unrecognized tax benefits mainly related to non-deductible expenses. It is possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months, pending factors such as changes in PRC tax law or administrative practices and precedents, or tax authority inquiries. An estimate of the change cannot be reasonably made.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

11. INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

China (continued)

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in taxation expenses. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the Company recognized approximately RMB147, RMB305 and RMB544 (US$89) in interest and penalties. The company had approximately RMB242, RMB547 and RMB1,091 (US$178) for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. In general, the PRC tax authorities have up to three to five years to conduct examinations of the Company’s tax filings. As of December 31, 2012, the PRC subsidiaries’ 2010-2012 tax returns remain open to examination.

The aggregate amount and per share effect of tax holidays are as follows:

 

     2010      2011      2012      2012  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      US$  

The aggregate amount

     9,637         11,783         8,449         1,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The aggregate effect on basic and diluted earnings per share:

           

Basic

     0.04         0.05         0.04         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     0.04         0.05         0.04         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The components of deferred taxes are as follows:

 

     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     US$  

Deferred tax assets, current portion

      

Accrued payroll and welfare payable

     1,664        1,917        313   

Advertising expenditure deductible in future years

     687        3,539        578   

Deferred government grants

     420        2,109        345   

Others

     -        -        -   

Less: valuation allowance

     (692     (571     (93
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets, current portion

     2,079        6,994        1,143   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, non-current portion

      

Net operating losses

     1,748        3,349        547   

Less: valuation allowance

     (766     (2,508     (410
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets, non-current portion

     982        841        137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current portion

      

Outside basis differences

     (76,877     (88,796     (14,509
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities, non-current portion

     (76,877     (88,796     (14,509
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company records a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets that is sufficient to reduce the deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future reversal of the valuation allowance will be recognized either when the benefit is realized or when it has been determined that it is more likely than not that the benefit in future earnings will be realized.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

11. INCOME TAXES (continued)

 

China (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had net operating losses (“NOLs”) of approximately RMB13,395 (US$2,189) from several of its VIEs, which can be carried forward to offset future net profit for income tax purposes. The NOLs as of December 31, 2012 will expire in years 2013 to 2017 if not utilized.

Deferred tax liabilities arising from undistributed earnings and share capital

The deferred tax expense relating to outside basis differences arises from (i) aggregate undistributed earnings and share capital of the VIEs that are available for distribution to E-Sun Sky Computer, a PRC tax resident company, and (ii) aggregate undistributed earnings of the foreign subsidiaries that are available for distribution to the Company. The cumulative amount of the temporary differences in respect of investments in foreign subsidiaries are RMB150,642 and RMB175,402 (US$28,660), as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Before May 31, 2010, the aggregate undistributed earnings of the PRC subsidiaries that are available for distribution to the Company were considered to be indefinitely reinvested and accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of those amounts to the Company. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable.

On May 31, 2010 and November 15, 2010, the Company’s management reassessed the adequacy of working capital and declared the distribution of dividends totaling RMB159,901,000 to all ordinary shareholders of the Company. As a result, the Company recorded deferred tax liabilities related to the aggregate undistributed earnings of the PRC subsidiaries that will be remitted to the Company for the dividends declared. The portion of undistributed earnings of the PRC subsidiaries exceeding the dividend distribution was considered to be indefinitely reinvested.

On December 6, 2012, the Company declared the distribution of dividends totaling RMB90,000 to all ordinary shareholders of the Company. Upon the declaration of this distribution of dividends, the Company’s management ceased indefinite reinvestment plan on the undistributed earnings of the PRC subsidiaries. As a result, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability related to the aggregate undistributed earnings of the PRC subsidiaries that are available for distribution to the Company.

 

12. DIVIDENDS PAYABLE

For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2012, the board of directors of the Company declared the distribution of dividends of RMB159,901 and RMB90,000 (US$14,706), respectively, to all ordinary shareholders of the Company. The remaining unpaid dividends of RMB194,526 (US$31,785) as of December 31, 2012 will be paid prior to the completion of the IPO.

 

13. EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

Employees of the Group in PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the PRC subsidiaries of the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The Group has no legal

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

13. EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN (continued)

 

obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. Such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, amounted to approximately RMB2,957, RMB4,975 and RMB6,595 (US$1,078) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

14. SHARE-BASED PAYMENT

On March 28, 2011, the shareholders and board of directors of the Company approved the 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of options, restricted shares and other share-based awards. These options were granted with exercise prices denominated in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of the Company. The board of directors has authorized under the Plan the issuance of up to 12% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares from time to time, on an as-exercised and fully diluted basis, upon exercise of awards granted under the Plan. The maximum term of any issued share option is ten years from the grant date.

On April 8, 2011, the Company granted 13,864,000 share options to a director and employees with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share. For these awards, 5,506,600 options will be vested upon the first anniversary of the grant date, 5,225,800 options will be vested upon the second anniversary of the grant date, 1,565,800 options will be vested upon the third anniversary of the grant date, and 1,565,800 options will be vested upon the fourth anniversary of the grant date.

On April 8, 2011, the Company granted 5,003,980 share options to another director with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share, and all were vested on the grant date.

On April 8, 2011, the Company granted 12,600,000 share options to consultants with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share, and all were vested on the grant date.

A summary of share option activity and related information for the year ended December 31, 2012 is as follows:

Share options granted to employees and directors

 

     Number of
option
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
per share
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
year
     Aggregated
intrinsic
value
 
           US$      US$      (Years)      US$’000  

Outstanding, January 1, 2012

     18,819,980        0.40         0.35         9.27         9,034   

Forfeited

     (100,000     0.40         0.38         
  

 

 

            

Outstanding, December 31, 2012

     18,719,980        0.25         0.35         8.27         6,300   
  

 

 

            

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012

     18,337,300        0.25         0.35         8.27         6,151   
  

 

 

            

Exercisable at December 31, 2012

     10,473,580        0.30         0.34         8.27         3,084   
  

 

 

            

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

14. SHARE-BASED PAYMENT (continued)

 

Share options granted to consultants

 

     Number of
option
     Weighted
average
exercise
price
     Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
per share
     Weighted
average
remaining
contractual
year
     Aggregated
intrinsic
value
 
            US$      US$      (Years)      US$’000  

Outstanding, January 1, 2012

     12,600,000         0.40         0.31         9.27         6,048   
  

 

 

             

Outstanding, December 31, 2012

     12,600,000         0.40         0.31         8.27         2,394   
  

 

 

             

Vested at December 31, 2012

     12,600,000         0.40         0.31         8.27         2,394   
  

 

 

             

Exercisable at December 31, 2012

     12,600,000         0.40         0.31         8.27         2,394   
  

 

 

             

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the fair value of Company’s common share as of December 31, 2012 and the exercise price.

As of December 31, 2012, there was RMB6,429 (US$1,050) of unvested share-based compensation costs related to equity awards granted to employees that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.8 years. To the extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from original estimate, actual share-based compensation costs related to these awards may be different from the expectation.

As the share options granted to a director and consultants were fully vested at the grant date, the related compensation expenses were fully recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income at the grant date.

On June 8, 2012 (the “modification date”), the Company modified the exercise price of both vested and unvested 13,740,000 options that were previously granted to 88 employees, from US$0.4 to US$0.2. The modification was intended to provide additional incentives for these employees.

In accordance with ASC 718-20 Compensation—Stock Compensation , the effects of a modification resulted in incremental compensation cost of US$670, which was measured as the excess of the fair value of the modified award of US$3,460 over the fair value of the original award of US$2,790 at the modification date.

The total compensation cost measured at modification date was US$2,214, representing the portion of the grant-date fair value of the original award for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered (or has already been rendered) at the modification date of US$1,544 and the incremental compensation cost resulting from the modification of US$670.

The incremental compensation cost of US$178 for vested options was recognized immediately at the modification date, while the compensation cost of US$2,036 for unvested options is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting term of the original award.

The fair value of share options was determined using the binomial option valuation model, with the assistance from an independent third-party appraiser. The binomial model requires the input of highly subjective

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

14. SHARE-BASED PAYMENT (continued)

 

assumptions, including the expected share price volatility and the suboptimal early exercise factor. For expected volatilities, the Company has made reference to historical volatilities of several comparable companies. The suboptimal early exercise factor was estimated based on the vesting and contractual terms of the awards and management’s expectation of exercise behavior of the grantees. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the options is based on market yield of U.S. Treasury Bond in effect at the time of grant. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the share options granted are as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31  
       2011         2012    

Expected volatility

     50.34     50.11

Risk-free interest rate

     3.69     1.34

Dividend yield

     0.00     0.00

Forfeiture rate

     0.00     0.00

Suboptimal early exercise factor

     2        2   

The total fair value of the vested equity awards granted to a director and consultants during the year ended December 31, 2011 was RMB9,970 and RMB25,104 (US$4,102), respectively. No equity awards granted to the employees were vested during the year ended December 31, 2011. The total fair value of the vested equity awards granted to the employees during the year ended December 31, 2012 was RMB12,437 (US$2,032).

Total share-based compensation expenses relating to options granted to employees, the director and consultants for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 are included in:

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2012  
     Employees      Directors      Consultants      Total      Total  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      US$  

Cost of services

     222                 -                 -         222         36   

Sales and marketing

     780         -         -         780         127   

General and administrative

     10,892         -         -         10,892         1,780   

Service development expenses

     1,810         -         -         1,810         296   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     13,704         -         -         13,704         2,239   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2011  
     Employees      Directors      Consultants      Total      Total  
     RMB      RMB      RMB      RMB      US$  

Cost of services

     206         -         -         206         34   

Sales and marketing

     749         -         -         749         122   

General and administrative

     12,290         9,970         25,104         47,364         7,739   

Service development expenses

     1,835         -         -         1,835         300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     15,080         9,970         25,104         50,154         8,195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

(a) Related parties

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with the Group

Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co.,Ltd.

  

Entity controlled by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company *

Delite Limited

   Shareholder of the Company

 

* Man San Law

 

(b) The Group had the following related party balances as of December 31, 2011 and 2012:

 

     As of
December 31,
2011
     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
December 31,
2012
 
        
     RMB      RMB      US$  

Amounts due from related parties:

        

Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co. Ltd.

     101,650         187,266         30,599   

Delite Limited

     976         976         159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     102,626         188,242         30,758   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amount due to a related party:

        

Delite Limited

     -         8,520         1,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     -         8,520         1,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

All balances with related parties as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

The balances with Delite Limited and Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co. Ltd. as of December 31, 2012 will be settled prior to the completion of the IPO.

The Company does not plan to enter into any unsecured and non-interest bearing loan transactions upon effectiveness of the IPO.

 

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating lease commitments

Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases of office rent consist of the following as of December 31, 2012:

 

     RMB      US$  

2013

     3,273         535   

2014

     2,918         477   

2015

     2,918         477   

2016

     2,918         477   

2017 and thereafter

     2,584         422   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     14,611         2,388   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Operating lease commitments (continued)

 

Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The Company’s lease arrangements have no renewal options, rent escalation clauses, restrictions or contingent rents and are all conducted with third parties. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, total rental expenses for all operating leases amounted to approximately RMB1,577, RMB3,480 and RMB4,435 (US$725), respectively.

Income taxes

As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, the Group has recognized approximately RMB3,595 and RMB11,151 (US$1,822), respectively, as an accrual for unrecognized tax benefits, including related interest and penalties. The final outcome of the tax uncertainty is dependent upon various matters including tax examinations, interpretation of tax laws or expiration of status of limitation. However, due to the uncertainties associated with the status of examinations, including the protocols of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the future cash outflows associated with these tax uncertainties. As of December 31, 2011, and 2012, the Group classified the accrual of RMB3,595 and RMB11,151 (US$1,822), respectively, as a non-current liability.

Variable interest entity structure

In the opinion of management, (i) the ownership structure of the Company and its VIEs are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their shareholders are valid and binding, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the Group’s business operations are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects.

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to its opinion. If the current ownership structure of the Group and its contractual arrangements with VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Group may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changing and new PRC laws and regulations. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Group’s current ownership structure or the contractual arrangements with VIEs is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

Contractual Arrangements among E-Sun Sky Computer and the VIEs

Under applicable PRC tax laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the arrangements or transactions are conducted. The Company could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the Contractual Arrangements among E-Sun Sky Computer and the respective VIEs were not entered into on an arm’s-length basis and therefore constituted unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements. Unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements could, among other things, result in an upward adjustment on taxation. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose interest on late payments on E-Sun Sky Computer and the respective VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of such an upward adjustment on taxation and related interest is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Commitment on sponsorship

Future payments under sponsorship contracts consist of the following as of December 31, 2012:

 

     RMB      US$  

2013

     2,400         392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,400         392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payments for sponsorships are expensed on a straight-line basis over the beneficial periods. For the year ended December 31, 2012, total sponsorship expenses amounted to approximately RMB8,400 (US$1,373).

 

17. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the years presented is calculated as follows:

 

    For the years ended December 31,  
    2010     2011     2012     2012  
    RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Numerator:

       

Net income

    38,289        13,557        4,243        693   

Less: Accretion of Series A Preferred Shares

    (190     -        -        -   

Add: Repurchase of Series B and B-1 Preferred Shares

    24,392        -        -        -   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed earnings

    62,491        13,557        4,243        693   

Undistributed earnings allocated to participating preferred shares

    (3,801     -        -        -   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income allocated to ordinary shares for computing earnings per share

       

Basic

    58,690        13,557        4,243        693   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    38,289        13,557        4,243        693   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

       

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

    219,290,540        230,768,220        229,374,777        229,374,777   

Conversion of convertible preferred shares (Series A, B, B-1) to ordinary shares

    14,202,140        -        -        -   

Share options

    -        6,475,349        4,303,704        4,303,704   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share

    233,492,680        237,243,569        233,678,481        233,678,481   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

       

Basic

    0.27        0.06        0.02        -   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

    0.16        0.06        0.02        -   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Since each preferred share has the same participating right as each ordinary share, the allocation of undistributed earnings was based on the proportionate number of ordinary shares and preferred shares outstanding.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

18. ORDINARY SHARES

In April 2012, the Company repurchased (and subsequently cancelled) 19,250,000 ordinary shares at a par value of US$0.00005 from certain shareholders for an aggregate consideration of US$7,596, the excess of par value over the repurchase price was debited to additional paid-in capital in accordance with ASC 505-30 Equity: Treasury Stock . The Company concurrently issued 17,250,000 ordinary shares with an aggregate consideration of US$6,807 to certain independent third parties. The newly issued ordinary shares of the Company were fully paid, and the difference between the par value and the issue price was credited to additional paid-in capital for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

19. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Changes in the balance of the component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 are as follows:

 

     Foreign currency translation  
     RMB     US$  

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     16,154        2,640   

Other comprehensive loss

     (224     (37
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     15,930        2,603   

Other comprehensive income

     58        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     15,988        2,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

20. SEGMENT REPORTING

In accordance with ASC 280-10 Segment Reporting: Overall , the Group’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based on the Group’s consolidated results. As a result, the Group has only one reportable segment.

Geographic disclosures

As the Group generates substantially all of its revenues from customers domiciled in the PRC, no geographical segments are presented. All of the Group’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.

 

21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events were evaluated through to April 26, 2013, the date the financial statements were issued.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

22. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY

Under PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s PRC subsidiary E-Sun Sky Computer and VIEs are restricted in their ability to transfer certain of its net assets to the Company in the form of dividend payments, loans or advances. The amounts restricted include paid up capital, retained earnings and statutory reserves, as determined pursuant to PRC generally accepted accounting principles, totaling RMB207,131 (US$33,845) as of December 31, 2012. The following is the condensed financial information of the Company on a parent company only basis.

Condensed balance sheets

 

     As of
December 31,

2011
     As of
December 31,

2012
     As of
December 31,

2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     649         3,500         572   

Amounts due from related parties

     6,436         6,609         1,080   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,085         10,109         1,652   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

        

Investment in subsidiaries and VIEs

     178,906         207,239         33,863   

Property and equipment, net

     705         620         101   

Deferred initial public offering expenses

     2,186         1,243         203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     181,797         209,102         34,167   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

T OTAL ASSETS

     188,882         219,211         35,819   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-39


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

22. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (continued)

 

Condensed balance sheets (continued)

 

 

     As of
December 31,

2011
    As of
December 31,

2012
    As of
December 31,

2012
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     -        1,245        204   

Dividends payable

     104,526        194,526        31,785   

Amounts due to related parties

     -        8,520        1,392   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     104,526        204,291        33,381   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

      

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

     10,007        17,540        2,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     10,007        17,540        2,866   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     114,533        221,831        36,247   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity (deficit):

      

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005 per share; Authorized: 931,878,540 as of December 31, 2011 and 2012; issued and outstanding: 230,768,220 shares and 228,768,220 shares as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively)

     84        84        14   

Additional paid-in capital

     247,051        255,781        41,794   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     15,930        15,988        2,612   

Accumulated deficit

     (188,716     (274,473     (44,848
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholder’s equity (deficit)

     74,349        (2,620     (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     188,882        219,211        35,819   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Condensed statements of comprehensive income

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012     2012  
     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net Revenues

     -        -        -        -   

Operating expenses:

        

General and administrative

     (118     (659     (608     (99

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

     -        -        (2,230     (365
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (118     (659     (2,838     (464

Other operating expenses

     (183     (8     (4     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating loss

     (301     (667     (2,842     (465

Equity in profits of subsidiaries and VIEs

     46,213        16,608        14,618        2,389   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     45,912        15,941        11,776        1,924   

Income tax expenses

     (7,623     (2,384     (7,533     (1,231
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     38,289        13,557        4,243        693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

        

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     70        (224     58        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     38,359        13,333        4,301        702   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-40


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

22. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE PARENT COMPANY (continued)

 

Condensed statements of cash flows

 

     2011     2012      2012  
     RMB     RMB      US$  

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities

     (1,880     38         6   

Net cash generated from (used in) investing activities

     (689     511         83   

Net cash generated from (used in) financing activities

     (1,596     2,302         377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,165     2,851         466   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     4,814        649         106   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     649        3,500         572   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basis of presentation

Condensed financial information is used for the presentation of the Company, or the parent company. The condensed financial information of the parent company has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Company’s consolidated financial statements except that the parent company used the equity method to account for investment in its subsidiaries.

The parent company records its investment in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting as prescribed in ASC 323-10, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Overall . Such investments are presented on the condensed balance sheets as “Investment in subsidiaries and VIEs” and their respective profit or loss as “Equity in profits of subsidiaries and VIEs” on the condensed statements of comprehensive income. Equity method accounting ceases when the carrying amount of the investment, including any additional financial support, in a subsidiary is reduced to zero unless the parent company has guaranteed obligations of the subsidiary or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support. If the subsidiary subsequently reports net income, the parent company shall resume applying the equity method only after its share of that net income equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period the equity method was suspended.

The parent company’s condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

23. PRO-FORMA EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF DIVIDENDS (UNAUDITED)

On December 6, 2012, the Company declared a distribution of dividends. The unaudited pro-forma earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the year ended December 31, 2012 after giving effect to the issuance of 11,677,151 Class A ordinary shares on January 1, 2012 at the midpoint of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per share to pay RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 are calculated as follows:

 

     For the year ended  
     December 31,
2012
     December 31,
2012
 
     RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Numerator:

     

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings per share – basic and diluted

     4,243         693   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

     229,374,777         229,374,777   

Pro-forma effect of dividends

     11,677,151         11,677,151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

     241,051,928         241,051,928   

Share options

     4,303,704         4,303,704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share

     245,355,632         245,355,632   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma earnings per share:

     

Basic

     0.02         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     0.02         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-42


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares)

 

            As of  
     Notes      December 31,
2012*
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
            RMB      RMB      US$  
                   (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

ASSETS

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

        31,555         49,296         8,055   

Restricted cash

        11,209         155,897         25,473   

Accounts receivable

     2         22,937         49,658         8,114   

Accounts receivable due from employees

        225         41         7   

Amounts due from related parties

     10         188,242         46,721         7,634   

Prepayments and other current assets

     3         68,659         97,987         16,011   

Deferred tax assets, current portion

        6,994         17,625         2,880   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        329,821         417,225         68,174   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

           

Property and equipment, net

     4         38,102         35,941         5,873   

Intangible assets, net

     5         2,229         2,003         327   

Deposits

     3         5,463         5,949         972   

Deferred initial public offering expenses

        1,496         1,475         241   

Deferred tax assets, non-current

        841         841         137   

Other non-current assets

        1,391         1,629         266   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        49,522         47,838         7,816   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

        379,343         465,063         75,990   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

           

Current liabilities:

           

Short-term loans (including short-term loans of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of nil and RMB14,982 (US$2,448) as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively)

     11         -         146,621         23,958   

Dividends payable

        194,526         94,526         15,445   

Amounts due to a related party

     10         8,520         8,373         1,368   

Accrued payroll and welfare payable (including accrued payroll and welfare payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB7,038 and RMB2,817 (US$460) as of December 31, 2012 September 30, 2013, respectively)

        10,408         2,817         460   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (including accrued expenses and other current liabilities of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB60,239 and RMB71,405 (US$11,669) as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively)

     6         67,008         73,663         12,036   

Income tax payable (including income tax payable of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB1,554 and RMB10,516 (US$1,718) as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively)

        1,554         12,163         1,988   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        282,016         338,163         55,255   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

* Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2012 were derived from the December 31, 2012 audited consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-43


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares)

 

            As of  
     Notes      December 31,
2012*
    September 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
            RMB     RMB     US$  
                  (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Non-current liabilities:

         

Deferred tax liabilities, non-current

        88,796        93,897        15,343   

Long-term payables (including long-term payable of the consolidated VIE without recourse to 500wan.com Limited of RMB11,151 and RMB10,708 (US$1,750) as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively)

        11,151        10,708        1,750   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        99,947        104,605        17,093   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

        381,963        442,768        72,348   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     12          

Shareholders’ Equity:

         

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.00005 per share; authorized: 931,878,540 shares as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively; issued and outstanding: 228,768,220 shares as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively)

        84        84        14   

Additional paid-in capital

        255,781        258,802        42,288   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

        15,988        17,284        2,824   

Accumulated deficit

        (274,473     (253,875     (41,484
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

        (2,620     22,295        3,642   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

        379,343        465,063        75,990   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Amounts for the year ended December 31, 2012 were derived from the December 31, 2012 audited consolidated financial statements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

            For the nine months ended  
     Notes      September 30,
2012
    September 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
            RMB     RMB     US$  
            (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net revenues

        130,736        163,411        26,701   

Operating expenses:

         

Cost of services

        (13,922     (19,564     (3,197

Sales and marketing

        (36,322     (61,201     (10,000

General and administrative

        (39,899     (46,517     (7,601

Service development expenses

        (17,673     (18,924     (3,092

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

        (6,404     -        -   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

        (114,220     (146,206     (23,890

Other operating income

        4,139        11,371        1,858   

Government grant

        2,203        139        23   

Other operating expenses

        (1,582     (2,647     (433
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

        21,276        26,068        4,259   

Interest income

        813        251        41   

Interest expense

        -        (430     (70
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax

        22,089        25,889        4,230   

Income tax expenses

     7         (11,631     (5,291     (865
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

        10,458        20,598        3,365   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

         

Foreign currency translation gain

        6        1,296        212   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

        10,464        21,894        3,577   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

     13          

Basic

        0.05        0.09        0.01   

Diluted

        0.04        0.08        0.01   

Pro-forma earnings per share:

     16          

Basic

        -        0.08        0.01   

Diluted

        -        0.08        0.01   

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:

     13          

Basic

        229,578,439        228,768,220        228,768,220   

Diluted

        234,226,252        246,304,916        246,304,916   

Pro-forma weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding:

     16          

Basic

        -        242,780,802        242,780,802   

Diluted

        -        260,317,498        260,317,498   

 

F-45


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”))

 

     For the nine months ended  
     September 30,
2012
    September 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Cash flow from operating activities

      

Net income

     10,458        20,598        3,365   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash generated from (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation of property and equipment

     3,210        5,857        957   

Amortization of intangible assets

     232        460        75   

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

     2,919        (5,530     (903

Share-based compensation

     11,000        3,021        494   

Losses on disposal of property and equipment

     1,298        489        80   

Write-off of deferred initial public offering expenses

     6,404        -        -   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     22,678        (26,721     (4,366

Accounts receivable due from employees

     5,926        184        30   

Prepayments and other current assets

     27,833        (28,011     (4,577

Deposits

     2,174        (486     (79

Amounts due to a related party

     -        (147     (24

Accrued payroll and welfare payable

     (8,952     (7,591     (1,240

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (9,008     8,149        1,330   

Income tax payable

     5,560        10,609        1,733   

Long-term payables

     1,258        (443     (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from (used in) operating activities

     82,990        (19,562     (3,197
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Acquisition of property and equipment

     (18,737     (5,917     (967

Acquisition of intangible assets

     (115     (234     (38

Restricted cash

     (10,995     (144,688     (23,642

Short-term investments

     4,000        -        -   

Change in amounts due from related parties

     (87,793     141,521        23,125   

Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

     43        -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (113,597     (9,318     (1,522
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Proceeds from short-term loans

     -        149,805        24,478   

Repayment of short-term loans

     -        (3,184     (520

Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares

     43,006        -        -   

Repurchase of ordinary shares

     (39,351     -        -   

Payment for initial public offering expenses

     (2,055     -        -   

Payment of dividends

     -        (100,000     (16,340
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from financing activities

     1,600        46,621        7,618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (29,007     17,741        2,899   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     63,930        31,555        5,156   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

     34,923        49,296        8,055   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Group”. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information using accounting policies that are consistent with those used in the preparation of the Group’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, operating results and cash flows of the Group for each of the periods presented. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other interim period or the full year of 2013 due in part to the seasonality of the Group’s business. The expenditures on sports lotteries are affected by the seasonality of sports events. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2012.

To comply with PRC laws and regulations, which prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of internet businesses, the Group operates its websites and provides online lottery purchase services in the PRC through VIEs. The Company has entered into exclusive business cooperation agreements, power of attorney, equity interest pledge agreements, exclusive option agreements, financial support agreements and supplementary agreements to the exclusive option agreements (previously named as exclusive technical consulting and service agreements, power of attorney, equity pledge agreements, equity interest disposal agreements, financial support agreements, business operation agreements and intellectual properties license before June 1, 2011) (the “Contractual Arrangements”), with the VIEs through E-Sun Sky Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“E-Sun Sky Computer”), which obligate E-Sun Sky Computer to absorb a majority of the expected losses from the activities of the VIEs’ activities, and entitles E-Sun Sky Computer to receive a majority of residual returns from the VIEs. Through these aforementioned agreements, the Company maintains the ability to approve decisions made by the VIEs, and ability to acquire the equity interests in the VIEs when permitted by the PRC laws via E-Sun Sky Computer.

As a result of the Contractual Arrangements, the Company consolidates the VIEs as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall . Effective on January 1, 2010, the Company is required to continue to consolidate the VIEs through E-Sun Sky Computer under the new guidance in ASU 2009-17 because the Company has determined that 1) E-Sun Sky Computer is most closely associated with the VIEs and the subsidiary of Shenzhen E-Sun Network Co., Ltd. (“E-Sun Network”) among the members of the related party group who share the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact their economic performance, and 2) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Basis of presentation (continued)

 

The carrying amounts of the assets, liabilities and the results of operations of the VIEs included in the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2012
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     16,392         14,650         2,394   

Restricted cash

     10,609         16,390         2,678   

Accounts receivable

     13,531         42,719         6,980   

Accounts receivable due from employees

     225         41         7   

Amounts due from related parties

     169,273         126,768         20,714   

Prepayments and other current assets

     67,759         96,839         15,825   

Deferred tax assets, current portion

     6,498         17,129         2,799   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     284,287         314,536         51,397   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

        

Property and equipment, net

     30,929         28,590         4,672   

Intangible assets, net

     1,338         1,191         195   

Deposits

     5,295         5,781         945   

Deferred initial public offering expenses

     250         250         41   

Deferred tax assets, non-current

     841         841         137   

Other non-current assets

     -         238         38   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     38,653         36,891         6,028   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     322,940         351,427         57,425   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Current liabilities:

        

Short-term loans

     -         14,982         2,448   

Amounts due to a related party

     46,322         40,705         6,651   

Accrued payroll and welfare payable

     7,038         2,817         460   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     60,239         71,405         11,669   

Income tax payable

     1,554         10,516         1,718   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     115,153         140,425         22,946   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

        

Long-term payables

     11,151         10,708         1,750   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     11,151         10,708         1,750   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     126,304         151,133         24,696   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-48


Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Basis of presentation (continued)

 

 

     For the nine months ended  
     September 30,
2012
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Net revenues

     84,846         111,567         18,230   

Net income

     6,980         3,417         558   

There was no pledge or collateralization of the VIEs’ assets. Creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of E-Sun Sky Computer, which is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. In addition, the Company has not provided any financial support to its VIEs as of September 30, 2013.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the Group’s financial statements include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition, useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets, realization of deferred tax assets, share-based compensation and consolidation of VIEs. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs in which it has a controlling financial interest. The results of the subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group obtained control and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. A controlling financial interest is typically determined when a company holds a majority of the voting equity interest in an entity. However, if the company demonstrates its ability to control the VIEs through its rights to all the residual benefits of the VIEs and its obligation to fund losses of the VIEs then the entity is consolidated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions among the Company, its subsidiaries and VIEs have been eliminated in consolidation.

Convenience translation

Translations of amounts from Renminbi (“RMB”) into United States dollars for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB6.1200 on September 30, 2013 in the city of New York for cable transfers of RMB as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at such rate.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts receivable due from employees, amounts due from related parties, other current assets, short-term loans, amounts due to a related party and other current liabilities. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash represents amounts of cash held by a bank which (i) were granted by the government and designated only for the purchase of fixed assets for certain approved projects, (ii) were drawn from short-term loans and designated only for marketing activities, and (iii) were pledged to the financial institutions as collateral for the Company’s bank loan (note 11).

Advertising

The Company expenses the production costs of advertising upon the first time the advertising takes place. The cost of television airtime is expensed according to when the airtime is used. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, advertising expense was nil and RMB9,002 (US$1,471), respectively.

Service development expenses

Service development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses incurred for the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of the Group’s websites that either (i) did not meet the ASC 350-50-25 capitalization criteria; or (ii) met the capitalization criteria but the capitalizable internal costs cannot be separated on a reasonably cost-effective basis between maintenance and relatively minor upgrades and enhancements. Service development expenses are recognized as expenses when incurred.

Share-based compensation

Share options granted to employees and directors

Share options granted to employees and the director are accounted for under ASC 718, Share-Based Payment . In accordance with ASC 718, the Company determines whether a share option should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or an equity award. All grants of share options to employees and the director classified as equity awards, are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. There were no liability awards granted during any of the periods stated herein. The Company recognizes compensation expenses using the straight-line method for share options granted with graded vesting based on service conditions.

ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in the subsequent period if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. Forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical and future expectation of employee turnover rate and is adjusted to reflect future change in circumstances and facts, if any. Share-based compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures such that expense was recorded only for those share-based awards that are expected to vest. To the extent the Company revises this estimate in the future, the share-based payments could be materially impacted in the period of revision, as well as in following periods.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Share-based compensation (continued)

 

Share options granted to employees and directors (continued)

 

The compensation costs associated with a modification of the terms of the award (“modification award”) are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition has been achieved. Such compensation costs cannot be less than the grant-date fair value of the original award. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the modification award over the fair value of the original award at the modification date. Therefore, in relation to the modification award, the Company recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the new options, which comprises, (1) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term, and (2) any unrecognized compensation cost of original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever is higher for each reporting period.

Share options granted to non-employees

The Company records share-based compensation expense for awards granted to consultants in exchange for services at fair value in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, Equity based payment to non-employees . As the share options granted to non-employees were fully vested on the grant date, the related compensation expense was fully recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on the grant date.

The Company, with the assistance of an independent valuation firm, determined the fair values of the share-based compensation options recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The binomial option pricing model is applied in determining the estimated fair value of the options granted to employees and non-employees.

Recently issued accounting standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU 2013-11”) to provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. The modifications to ASC Topic 740 resulting from the issuance of ASU 2013-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014. Starting from January 1, 2014, the Company will present unrecognized tax benefit or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit as deduction of deferred tax assets if applicable.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

2. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable and the related allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized as follows:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Accounts receivable

     22,937         49,658         8,114   

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     -         -         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

     22,937         49,658         8,114   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

3. PREPAYMENTS, OTHER CURRENT ASSETS AND DEPOSITS

Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Prepayments

     968         455         74   

Deposits for future lottery ticket purchase

     45,055         61,895         10,114   

Receivables from third party payment service providers

     5,997         10,914         1,783   

Receivables from third parties

     1,924         363         59   

Receivables from lottery administration centers for winnings

     5,960         10,344         1,690   

Deferred sponsorship and advertising expenses

     6,891         8,038         1,313   

Others

     1,864         5,978         978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     68,659         97,987         16,011   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Deposits for lottery ticket equipments and office leases

     5,463         5,949         972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits for future lottery ticket purchase represent cash paid in advance by the Group to lottery administration centers for the purchase of lottery tickets.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
September 30,
2013
    As of
September 30,
2012
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  
           (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Electronic and office equipment

     18,962        21,659        3,539   

Motor vehicles

     4,772        4,566        746   

Leasehold improvement

     27,327        25,469        4,162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, cost

     51,061        51,694        8,447   

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (12,959     (15,753     (2,574
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     38,102        35,941        5,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expenses were approximately RMB3,210 and RMB5,857 (US$957) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
    As of
September 30,
2013
    As of
September 30,
2013
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  
           (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Cost:

      

Software

     2,168        2,402        392   

Domain name

     658        658        108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,826        3,060        500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization:

      

Software

     (427     (838     (137

Domain name

     (170     (219     (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (597     (1,057     (173
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

     2,229        2,003        327   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expenses were approximately RMB232 and RMB460 (US$75) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

6. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2012
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Advance from end users

     30,505         38,812         6,342   

Business tax and other taxes payable

     5,396         3,459         565   

Deferred government grant

     14,702         20,163         3,295   

Professional fee payable

     4,823         1,260         206   

Advertising and sponsorship payable

     2,653         2,400         392   

Others

     8,929         7,569         1,236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     67,008         73,663         12,036   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advance from end users represents 1) payments received by the Group in advance from the end users prior to purchase of lottery tickets, and 2) prize distribution made by the Group to the winning end users’ registered account.

 

7. INCOME TAXES

Tax expense

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, the Group recognized income tax expenses of RMB11,631 and RMB5,291 (US$865), respectively. The decrease in the income tax expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is mainly due to the change of income tax rate of Shenzhen E-Sun Sky Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“E-sun Sky Network”) from 15% to 10% for 2011 and 2012. In April 2013, E-sun Sky Network was qualified as the “national key software enterprise” and was entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 10% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012. The effect of the change in tax rate of RMB6,366 (US$1,040) was recognized as a discrete event in the current period accordingly.

Unrecognized tax positions

It is possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months, pending factors such as changes in PRC tax law or administrative practices and precedents, or tax authority inquiries. An estimate of the change cannot be reasonably made.

 

8. EMPLOYEE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

Employees of the Group in PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the PRC subsidiaries of the Group make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. The Group has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made. Such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, amounted to approximately RMB4,891 and RMB6,470 (US$1,057) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

9. SHARE-BASED PAYMENT

On March 28, 2011, the shareholders and board of directors of the Company approved the 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of options, restricted shares and other share-based awards. These options were granted with exercise prices denominated in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of the Company. The board of directors has authorized under the Plan the issuance of up to 12% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares from time to time, on an as-exercised and fully diluted basis, upon exercise of awards granted under the Plan. The maximum term of any issued share option is ten years from the grant date.

On June 8, 2012 (the “modification date”), the Company modified the exercise price of both vested and unvested 13,740,000 options that were previously granted to 88 employees, from US$0.4 to US$0.2. The modification was intended to provide additional incentives for these employees.

In accordance with ASC 718-20 Compensation—Stock Compensation , the effects of a modification resulted in incremental compensation cost of US$670, which was measured as the excess of the fair value of the modified award of US$3,460 over the fair value of the original award of US$2,790 at the modification date.

The total compensation cost measured at modification date was US$2,214, representing the portion of the grant-date fair value of the original award for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered (or has already been rendered) at the modification date of US$1,544 and the incremental compensation cost resulting from the modification of US$670.

The incremental compensation cost of US$178 for vested options was recognized immediately at the modification date, while the compensation cost of US$2,036 for unvested options is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting term of the original award.

As of September 30, 2013, there was RMB3,294 (US$538) of unrecognized share-based compensation costs related to equity awards granted to employees that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 1.50 years. To the extent the actual forfeiture rate is different from original estimate, actual share-based compensation costs related to these awards may be different from the expectation.

As the share options granted to a director and consultants were fully vested at the grant date, the related compensation expenses were fully recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income at the grant date.

The total fair value of the vested equity awards granted to the employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 were RMB12,612 and RMB11,581 (US$1,892), respectively.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

9. SHARE-BASED PAYMENT (continued)

 

Total share-based compensation expenses relating to options granted to employees for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 are included in:

 

     For the nine months ended  
     September 30,
2012
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Cost of services

     175         74         12   

Sales and marketing

     616         256         42   

General and administrative

     8,772         2,114         346   

Service development expenses

     1,437         577         94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     11,000         3,021         494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

(a) Related parties

 

Name of related parties

  

Relationship with the Group

Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co., Ltd.

  

Entity controlled by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company *

Delite Limited

   Shareholder of the Company

 

* Man San Law

 

(b) The Group had the following related party balances at the end of the following periods:

 

     As of
December 31,
2012
     As of
September 30,
2013
     As of
September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
            (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Amounts due from related parties:

        

Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co., Ltd.

     187,266         45,745         7,475   

Delite Limited

     976         976         159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     188,242         46,721         7,634   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts due to a related party:

        

Delite Limited

     8,520         8,373         1,368   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,520         8,373         1,368   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

All balances with related parties as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 were unsecured, non-interest bearing and repayable on demand.

The balances with Shenzhen Bozhi Consulting Co., Ltd. as of September 30, 2013 was settled in October 2013.

The Company does not plan to enter into any unsecured and non-interest bearing loan transactions upon effectiveness of the IPO.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

11. SHORT-TERM LOANS

On March 29 and June 28, 2013, the Company entered into short-term loan arrangements for an aggregate amount of RMB18,166 (US$2,960) with a financial institution in the PRC, for working capital purposes. The loans have a fixed interest rate of 7.32% per annum and a maturity term of twelve months. The loans are guaranteed by E-sun Sky Computer, Mr. Man San Law and Ms. Ping Yuan (i.e. shareholder). As of September 30, 2013, the amount of RMB3,184 (US$520) has been repaid in cash.

In September 2013, the Company entered into a US dollar denominated short-term loan arrangement for an amount of RMB131,639 (US$21,510) with a financial institution in France for general corporate purposes. The short-term loan is secured by HK dollar denominated banks deposits of RMB139,446 (US$22,785) placed with a financial institution in the PRC. These pledged deposits are classified as restricted cash on the interim consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013. The short-term loan bears an interest rate of London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.9% and is due within 6 months. The loan proceeds were used to pay a dividend to the respective shareholders.

 

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating lease commitments

Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases of office rent consist of the following as of September 30, 2013:

 

     RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

2013

     907         148   

2014

     2,989         488   

2015

     2,918         477   

2016

     2,918         477   

2017 and thereafter

     2,584         422   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,316         2,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payments under operating leases are expensed on a straight-line basis over the periods of their respective leases. The Company’s lease arrangements have no renewal options, rent escalation clauses, restrictions or contingent rents and are all conducted with third parties.

Income taxes

As of September 30, 2013, the Group has recognized approximately RMB10,708 (US$1,750) as an accrual for unrecognized tax positions and related interest and penalties. The final outcome of the tax uncertainty is dependent upon various matters including tax examinations, interpretation of tax laws or expiration of statutes of limitation. However, due to the uncertainties associated with the status of examinations, including the protocols of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the future cash outflows associated with these tax uncertainties. As of September 30, 2013, the Group classified the RMB10,708 (US$1,750) accrual as a non-current liability.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Variable interest entity structure

In the opinion of management, (i) the ownership structure of the Company and its VIEs are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; (ii) the contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their shareholders are valid and binding, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and (iii) the Group’s business operations are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects.

However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, the Company cannot be assured that PRC regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view to its opinion. If the current ownership structure of the Group and its contractual arrangements with VIEs are found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws and regulations, the Group may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changing and new PRC laws and regulations. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of loss in respect of the Group’s current ownership structure or the contractual arrangements with VIEs is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

Contractual Arrangements among E-Sun Sky Computer and the VIEs

Under applicable PRC tax laws and regulations, arrangements and transactions among related parties may be subject to audit or scrutiny by the PRC tax authorities within ten years after the taxable year when the arrangements or transactions are conducted. The Company could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities were to determine that the Contractual Arrangements among E-Sun Sky Computer and the respective VIEs were not entered into on an arm’s-length basis and therefore constituted unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements. Unfavorable transfer pricing arrangements could, among other things, result in an upward adjustment on taxation. In addition, the PRC tax authorities may impose interest on late payments on E-Sun Sky Computer and the respective VIEs for the adjusted but unpaid taxes. In the opinion of management, the likelihood of such an upward adjustment on taxation and related interest is remote based on current facts and circumstances.

Commitment on sponsorship

Future payments under sponsorship contracts consist of the following as of September 30, 2013:

 

     RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

2013

     -         -   

2014

     2,000         327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,000         327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payments for sponsorship are expensed on a straight-line basis over the beneficial period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, total sponsorship expenses amounted to approximately RMB8,129 (US$1,328).

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

Legal proceedings

The Group is currently involved in an arbitration proceeding in relation to a dispute over an online advertising contract, or “Advertising Contract”, entered into in September 2011 between E-Sun Sky Network and Beijing Tianying Chuangzhi Advertising Limited Company, or Tianying Chuangzhi. E-Sun Sky Network ceased to perform the Advertising Contract due to Tianying Chuangzhi’s failure to meet certain performance targets as set forth in the Advertising Contract. In June 2013, Tianying Chuangzhi instituted the said arbitration before Beijing Arbitration Commission, claiming for the payment of RMB3,320 (US$542) and other arbitration expenses. The Group lodged a counterclaim in July 2013, counterclaiming for a refund of RMB786 (US$128), other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and arbitration expenses. The arbitration application filed by Tianying Chuangzhi was accepted by the Beijing Arbitration Commission on June 27, 2013 and the Group’s counterclaim application was accepted by the Beijing Arbitration Commission on July 25, 2013. The Group is in the process of exchanging evidence. The Group believe the result of the arbitration may not be in their favor and accrued the contingent liability in the amount of RMB2,400 (US$392) accordingly.

 

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the periods presented are calculated as follows:

 

     For the nine months ended  
     September 30,
2012
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Numerator:

        

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings per share – basic and diluted

     10,458         20,598         3,365   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

     229,578,439         228,768,220         228,768,220   

Share options

     4,647,813         17,536,696         17,536,696   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share

     234,226,252         246,304,916         246,304,916   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

     0.05         0.09         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     0.04         0.08         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14. SEGMENT REPORTING

In accordance with ASC 280-10 Segment Reporting: Overall , the Group’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who makes resource allocation decisions and assesses performance based on the Group’s consolidated results. As a result, the Group has only one reportable segment.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

14. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

 

Geographic disclosures

As the Group generates substantially all of its revenues from customers domiciled in the PRC, no geographical segments are presented. All of the Group’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.

 

15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events were evaluated through to October 22, 2013, the date the financial statements were issued.

Change of company name

In October 2013, the Company changed its name from 500wan.com Limited to 500.com Limited.

Short-term loan

In October 2013, the Company entered into a US dollar denominated short-term loan arrangement for an amount of RMB53,575 (US$8,754) with a financial institution in France for general corporate purposes. The short-term loan is secured by HK dollar denominated banks deposits of RMB57,654 (US$9,421) placed with a financial institution in the PRC. The short-term loan bears an interest rate of London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.0% and is due within 6 months. The loan proceeds were used to pay a dividend to the respective shareholders.

Convertible note

In October 2013, pursuant to a convertible note purchase agreement, the Company issued a convertible note due June 30, 2014 in the aggregate principal amount of US$20,000 to Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd., or Sequoia. The convertible note bear interest at 10% per annum, uncompounded and computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed, or 13% per annum upon an event of default, uncompounded and computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed.

Automatic conversion

The convertible note will be automatically converted into the number of Class B ordinary shares equivalent to the outstanding amount of the convertible note divided by the applicable conversion price immediately upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering. The applicable conversion price is equal to 80% of the per share issuance price of the Class A ordinary share issued for the Company’s initial public offering. In the event of automatic conversion triggered by the initial public offering, the convertible note shall be deemed interest free between the date of issuance and the date of conversion.

Sequoia concurrent private investment

In conjunction with, and subject to, the completion of this offering, Sequoia agreed to purchase from the Company the Class B ordinary shares, at a price per share equal to the per share issuance price of Class A ordinary share issued for the Company’s initial public offering, for the aggregate amount of US$15,000.

Issuance of share options

In October 2013, the Company granted 2,660,000 share options to employees with an exercise price of US$0.40 per share, under the Plan. For these awards, 600,000 options will be vested on 180 days after the grant date, 1,620,000 options will be vested upon the first anniversary of the grant date, 220,000 options will be vested upon the second anniversary of the grant date, and 220,000 options will be vested upon the third anniversary of the grant date. These options have a contractual term of ten years.

 

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500WAN.COM LIMITED

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”),

except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

16. PRO-FORMA EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF DIVIDENDS

On December 6, 2012, the Company declared a distribution of dividends. The unaudited pro-forma earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 after giving effect to the issuance of 11,677,151 Class A ordinary shares on January 1, 2012 at the midpoint of the estimated range of the public offering price of US$1.20 per share to pay RMB85.8 million dividend declared in excess of net income of RMB4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 are calculated as follows:

 

     For the nine months ended  
     September 30,
2013
     September 30,
2013
 
     RMB      US$  
     (unaudited)      (unaudited)  

Numerator:

     

Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders for computing earnings per share – basic and diluted

     20,598         3,365   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

     228,768,220         228,768,220   

Pro-forma effect of dividends

     11,677,151         11,677,151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating basic earnings per share

     240,445,371         240,445,371   

Share options

     17,536,696         17,536,696   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma weighted average ordinary shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share

     257,982,067         257,982,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro-forma earnings per share:

     

Basic

     0.09         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

     0.08         0.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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500.com Limited

5,786,000 American Depositary Shares

Representing

57,860,000 Class A Ordinary Shares

 

LOGO

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

 

 

Piper Jaffray

      Oppenheimer & Co.

Prospectus dated                     , 2013

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a company’s articles of association may provide indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to the public interest, such as providing indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. The registrant’s articles of association provide that each officer or director of the registrant shall be indemnified out of the assets of the registrant against any liability incurred by him or her in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his or her favor, or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his or her part, or in which he or she is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him or her by the court from liability for dishonest, negligence, fraud, wilful default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the registrant.

Under the form of indemnification agreements filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this registration statement, we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or executive officer.

The form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will also provide for indemnification of us and our officers and directors.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the past three years, we have issued and sold the securities described below without registering the securities under the Securities Act. None of these transactions involved any underwriters’ underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. We believe that each of the following issuances was exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act or pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act regarding transactions not involving a public offering.

 

Purchaser

 

Date of Sale or
Issuance

 

Title and Number of Securities (*)

  Total
Consideration

(US$)
    Underwriting
Discounts
and
Commissions
    Exemption  

Brothers Union Investment Holdings Limited

  February 2, 2010   1,200,000 ordinary shares     4,742,424.2        N/A        Regulation S (1)  
  March 18, 2010   262,761 ordinary shares     469,871.5        N/A        Regulation S (1)  

Coherent Pioneer Enterprises Limited

  March 18, 2010   607,285 ordinary shares     5,303,030.3        N/A        Regulation S (2)  

Fan Dai

  March 18, 2010   607,285 ordinary shares     5,567,000.0        N/A        Regulation S (3)  

HWL Partners
Limited

  March 18, 2010   728,742 ordinary shares     5,274,000.0        N/A       
 
Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act
  
(4)  

Dragon Global International Ltd.

  April 20, 2012   9,250,000 ordinary shares     3,649,911.25        N/A        Regulation S (5)  

WinWin Solution Enterprise Ltd.

  April 20, 2012   8,000,000 ordinary shares     3,156,680        N/A        Regulation S (6)  

Sequoia Capital 2010
CGF Holdco, Ltd.

  October 21, 2013   convertible note     20,000,000        N/A        Regulation S (7)  

Delite Limited

  October 22, 2013   660,000 ordinary shares     132,000        N/A        Regulation S (8)  

Ace Chance Global Limited

  October 22, 2013   2,000,000 ordinary shares     400,000        N/A        Regulation S (9)  

 

(*) number of shares prior to adjustment to reflect the 1:20 share-split effected on April 26, 2011.
(1)

in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 1,200,000 and 262,761 ordinary shares on February 2, 2010 and March 18, 2010, respectively, were “offshore transactions” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Brothers Union Investment Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States

 

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  at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(2) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 607,285 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Coherent Pioneer Enterprises Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(3) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 607,285 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Fan Dai is a non-U.S. person and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(4) in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act for transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, as we believe, at the time of the issuance of the 728,742 ordinary shares, Mr. Dongjiang Li, the then sole owner of HWL Partners Limited (i) had enough knowledge and experience in finance and business matters to evaluate the risks and merits of the investment; (ii) had access to the type of information normally provided in a prospectus; and (iii) did not plan to resell or distribute the securities to the public. In addition, we did not use any form of public solicitation or general advertising in connection with the issuance of the ordinary shares.
(5) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 9,250,000 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Dragon Global International Ltd., a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(6) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 8,000,000 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Winwin Solution Enterprise Ltd., a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(7) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the convertible note was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd., a company incorporated in Cayman Islands is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the convertible note. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the convertible note at the commencement of the issuance.
(8) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 660,000 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Delite Limited., a company incorporated in British Virgin Islands is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.
(9) in reliance on the exemption of Regulation S as we believe that the issuance of the 2,000,000 ordinary shares was an “offshore transaction” and no “directed selling efforts” were made in the United States, as such terms are defined in the Regulation S. We are a foreign issuer incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Ace Chance Global Limited, a company incorporated in British Virgin Islands is not a resident in the United States and was outside the United States at the time of purchase of the ordinary shares. We believe there was no substantial U.S. market interest in the ordinary shares at the commencement of the issuance.

 

Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Exhibits

See Exhibit Index beginning on page II–5 of this Registration Statement.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

All supplement schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Item 9. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant under the provisions described in Item 6, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as

 

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expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, on November 20, 2013.

 

500.com Limited

By:

 

/s/ Man San Law

 

Name: Man San Law

 

Title:    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on November 20, 2013.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

/s/ Man San Law

Man San Law

  

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  

/s/ Zhengming Pan

Zhengming Pan

  

Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial and accounting officer)

  

*

Qi Li

  

Director

  

*

Jiepin Fu

  

Director

*

Jun Niu

  

Director

*

Honghui Deng

  

Director

  

*

Jinping Ma

  

Director

  

*

Qian Sun

  

Director

  

*

Zhe Wei

  

Director

  

 

* By:

 

/s/ Man San Law

 

Attorney-in-fact

 

II-4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of 500.com Limited has signed this registration statement or amendment thereto on November 20, 2013.

 

By:

 

/s/    Amy Segler

 

Name: Amy Segler

 

Title: Service of Process Officer

          Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  3.1**    the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, as currently in effect
  3.2**    the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant, to become effective upon the completion of the offering
  4.1    Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 4.3)
  4.2    Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares
  4.3    Form of Deposit Agreement, dated as of         , 2013, between the Registrant, the depositary and holder of the American Depositary Receipts
  4.4**    Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2013, by and between the Registrant, 500.com Limited and Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd.
  4.5**    Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2013, by and between the Registrant, 500.com Limited and Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd.
  4.6**    Loan Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2013, between the Registrant and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Europe) S.A.
  5.1**    Opinion of Maples and Calder regarding the validity of the ordinary shares being registered
  8.1**    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP regarding certain U.S. tax matters
  8.2**    Opinion of Han Kun Law Offices regarding certain PRC tax matters
  8.3**    Form of Opinion of Maples and Calder regarding certain Cayman Islands tax matters (included in exhibit 5.1)
10.1**    Registrant’s 2011 Share Incentive Plan
10.2**    Form of Indemnification Agreement with the Registrant’s directors and executive officers
10.3**    Form of Employment Agreement with the Registrant’s executive officers
10.4**    English translation of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement entered into by and between E-Sun Sky Computer and E-Sun Network as of June 1, 2011.
10.5**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Fu Jiepin as of June 1, 2011.
10.6**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Fu Jiepin as of June 1, 2011.
10.7**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Jiepin Fu as of June 1, 2011.
10.8**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Li He as of June 1, 2011.
10.9**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Li He as of June 1, 2011.
10.10**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Li He as of June 1, 2011.
10.11**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Li Xue as of June 1, 2011.
10.12**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Li Xue as of June 1, 2011.
10.13**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Li Xue as of June 1, 2011.

 

II-6


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibit

10.14**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Yuan Ping as of June 1, 2011.
10.15**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Yuan Ping as of June 1, 2011.
10.16**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Yuan Ping as of June 1, 2011.
10.17**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Zou Bo as of May 2, 2013.
10.18**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Zou Bo as of May 2, 2013.
10.19**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Zou Bo as of May 2, 2013.
10.20**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Zou Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.21**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, E-Sun Network and Zou Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.22**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Zou Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.23**    English translation of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement entered into by and between E-Sun Sky Computer and Guangtiandi Technology as of June 1, 2011.
10.24**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Wang Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.25**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Wang Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.26**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Wang Ying as of June 1, 2011.
10.27**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Yuan Liangdong as of May 2, 2013.
10.28**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Guangtiandi Technology and Yuan Liangdong as of May 2, 2013.
10.29**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Yuan Liangdong as of May 2, 2013.
10.30**    English translation of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement entered into by and between E-Sun Sky Computer and Youlanguang Technology as of June 1, 2011.
10.31**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Youlanguang Technology and Li Jin as of June 1, 2011.
10.32**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Youlanguang Technology and Li Jin as of June 1, 2011.
10.33**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Li Jin as of June 1, 2011.
10.34**    English translation of Exclusive Option Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Youlanguang Technology and Zhang Jing as of June 1, 2011.
10.35**    English translation of Equity Interest Pledge Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Youlanguang Technology and Zhang Jing as of June 1, 2011.
10.36**    English translation of Irrevocable Power of Attorney executed by Zhang Jing as of June 1, 2011.
10.37†    English translation of Service Agreement with Jiangxi Sports Lottery Administration Center, dated January 1, 2011.

 

II-7


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

  

Description of Exhibit

10.38**    English translation of Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreement entered into by E-Sun Sky Computer and E-Sun Sky Network
10.39**    Supplementary Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Wang Ying, Guangtiandi Technology and certain other parties thereto as of November 20, 2012
10.40**    Supplementary Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Fu Jiepin, Li He, Li Xue, Yuan Ping, Zou Bo, Zou Ying, E-Sun Network and certain other parties thereto as of November 20, 2012
10.41**    Supplementary Agreement entered into by and among E-Sun Sky Computer, Zhang Jing, Li Jin and Youlanguang Technology as of November 20, 2012
10.42**    Confirmation Letter executed by Zou Bo as of May 2, 2013
10.43**    Confirmation Letter executed by Yuan Liangdong as of May 2, 2013
21.1**    List of Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities of the Registrant
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2**    Form of Consent of Maples and Calder (included in exhibit 5.1)
23.3**    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included in exhibit 8.1)
23.4**    Consent of Han Kun Law Offices (included in exhibits 8.2 and 99.2)
23.5**    Consent of Han Kun Law Offices regarding the inclusion of its opinion in the Risk Factor section of the Registration Statement on Form F-1
23.6**    Consent of Catherine Qin Zhang, an independent director appointee
23.7**    Consent of Min Fan, an independent director appointee
23.8**    Consent of Yu Wei, an independent director appointee
23.9**    Consent of iResearch Consulting Group
24.1**    Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
99.1**    Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Registrant
99.2**    Opinion of Han Kun Law Offices regarding certain 2006 M&A Rules matters

 

* To be filed by amendment.
** Previously filed.
Portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request and have been filed separately with the Commission.

 

II-8

Exhibit 1.1

500.COM LIMITED

(a Cayman Islands exempted company)

5,786,000 American Depositary Shares

Representing

57,860,000 Class A Ordinary Shares

(Par Value US$0.00005 Per Share)

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                    , 2013

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

60 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

United States

as Representative of the several Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

500.com Limited, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”), confirms its agreement with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“ Deutsche Bank ”) and each of the other underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “ Underwriters ,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Deutsche Bank is acting as representative (in such capacity, the “ Representative ”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of American depositary shares (“ ADSs ”), each ADS representing 10 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.00005 per share, of the Company (“ Ordinary Shares ”) set forth in Schedules A and B hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 867,900 additional ADSs to cover overallotments, if any. The aforesaid 5,786,000 ADSs (the “ Initial Securities ”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 867,900 ADSs subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Option Securities ”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Securities .”

The ADSs purchased by the Underwriters pursuant to this agreement will be evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (“ ADRs ”) to be issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (the “ Deposit Agreement ”), to be entered into among the Company, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary (the “ Depositary ”), and owners and holders from time to time of the ADSs.

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representative deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

 

1


The Company and the Underwriters agree that up to 578,600 shares of the Initial Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters (the “ Reserved Securities ”) shall be reserved for sale by Piper Jaffray & Co. (“ Piper Jaffray ”) to certain persons designated by the Company (the “ Invitees ”), as part of the distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the applicable rules, regulations and interpretations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Company solely determined, without any direct or indirect participation by the Underwriters, the Invitees who will purchase Reserved Securities (including the amount to be purchased by such persons) sold by Piper Jaffray. To the extent that such Reserved Securities are not orally confirmed for purchase by Invitees by 9:00 A.M. (New York City Time) on the first business day after the date of this Agreement, such Reserved Securities may be offered to the public as part of the public offering contemplated hereby.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-191844), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the sale of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“ Rule 430A ”) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “ 1933 Act Regulations ”) and Rule 424(b) (“ Rule 424(b) ”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430A(b) is referred to as “ Rule 430A Information .” Such registration statement, including the amendments thereto, the exhibits thereto and any schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the Rule 430A Information, is herein called the “ Registration Statement .” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein called the “ Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” and, after such filing, the term “ Registration Statement ” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Each prospectus used prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and each prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “ preliminary prospectus .” The final prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, is herein called the “ Prospectus .” A registration statement on Form F-6 (No. 333-192259) relating to the ADSs has been filed with the Commission and has become effective (such registration statement on Form F-6, including all exhibits thereto, as amended through the time such registration statement becomes effective, being hereinafter called the “ ADS Registration Statement ”). The Company has also filed, in accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ 1934 Act ”), a registration statement (such registration statement as amended through the time such registration statement becomes effective, being hereinafter called the “ 1934 Act Registration Statement ”), on Form 8-A (No. 001-36206) under the 1934 Act to register, under Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act, the Ordinary Shares and the ADSs. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, the ADS Registration Statement, the 1934 Act Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system (“ EDGAR ”).

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

 

2


SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Closing Time (as defined below), and any Date of Delivery (as defined below), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(a) Compliance with Registration Requirements . Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information by the Commission.

At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective, at the Closing Time and at any Date of Delivery, the Registration Statement, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus and any supplement thereto or prospectus wrapper prepared in connection therewith, at their respective times of issuance and at the Closing Time, complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Prospectus and such preliminary prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the offer and sale of Reserved Securities. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), at the time the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement was issued, at the Closing Time and at any Date of Delivery, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

The 1934 Act Registration Statement has become effective under the 1934 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the 1934 Act Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1934 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

At the time the 1934 Act Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, at the Closing Time and at any Date of Delivery, the 1934 Act Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

As of the Applicable Time, the Closing Time and at any Date of Delivery, as the case may be, neither (x) the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Statutory Prospectus (as defined below) as of the Applicable Time and the information included on Schedule C(b) hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus and each written Section 5(d) Communication, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

3


As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:

Applicable Time ” means         P.M., New York City time, on         , 2013 or such other time as agreed by the Company and the Representative.

Statutory Prospectus ” as of any time means the prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including any document incorporated by reference therein.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“ Rule 433 ”), relating to the Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission or (iii) exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show (as defined below)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule C(a) hereto.

Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

Section 5(d) Communications ” means any oral or written communications undertaken solely pursuant to Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act. All written Section 5(d) Communications are specified in Schedule C(c) hereto.

The Company has made available a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433, in compliance with
Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the issuer notified or notifies the Representative as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified.

The representations and warranties in this subsection (a) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representative expressly for use therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the only information so furnished shall be the information in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting–Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the second, third and fourth paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting–Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids,” and the information under the heading “Underwriting–Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of ADSs” in each case contained in the Prospectus (collectively, the “ Underwriter Information ”).

Each preliminary prospectus (including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto) complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

4


At the time of filing the Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 (“ Rule 405 ”) of the 1933 Act Regulations, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any 462(b) Registration Statement and at the time of any Section 5(d) Communications, the Company was, and on the date hereof the Company is, an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) (19) of the 1933 Act.

(b) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(c) Financial Statements . The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“ US GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with US GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein. The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “ non-GAAP financial measures ” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the 1934 Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Act, to the extent applicable.

(d) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

 

5


As used in this sub-section and elsewhere in this Agreement, “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 and shall include, with respect to the Company, any of its VIEs (as defined below).

(e) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Memorandum and Articles of Association or other constitutive or organizational documents of the Company comply with the requirements of applicable Cayman Islands law and are in full force and effect. Complete and correct copies of all constitutive documents of the Company and all amendments thereto have been delivered to the Representative; except as set forth in the exhibits to the Registration Statement, no change will be made to any such constitutive documents on or after the date of this Agreement through and including the Closing Time.

(f) Subsidiaries . (i) The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation or entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement. Other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Registration Statement, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of stock or any other equity interests or long-term debt securities of, or otherwise control, any corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, association or other entity; (ii) each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where such failure to be qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The constitutive documents of each subsidiary of the Company comply with the requirements of applicable laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and are in full force and effect; (iii) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of Fine Brand Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, 500wan HK Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, E-Sun Sky Computer (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (the “ WFOE ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC ”), has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable, and such capital stock is owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity; and (iv) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of Shenzhen E-Sun Network Co., Ltd. (“ E-Sun Network ”), a variable interest entity of the Company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, Shenzhen E-Sun Sky Network Technology Co., Ltd. (“ E-Sun Sky Network ”), a wholly owned subsidiary of E-Sun Network incorporated under the laws of the PRC, Shenzhen Youlanguang Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Youlanguang Technology ”), a variable interest entity of the Company incorporated under the laws of the PRC, and Shenzhen Guangtiandi Technology Co., Ltd. (“ Guangtiandi Technology ”, together with E-Sun Network (including its wholly owned subsidiary E-Sun Sky Network) and Youlanguang Technology, the “ VIEs ”), a variable interest entity of the Company incorporated under the laws of the PRC has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable, and such capital stock is owned directly by its shareholders as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity except such as disclosed therein. Each of the individual shareholders of the VIEs are citizens of the PRC, and no application is pending in any other jurisdiction by them or on their behalf for naturalization or citizenship.

 

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(g) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company are as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the column entitled “Actual” under the caption “Capitalization” (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company were issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, preemptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any Ordinary Shares or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; the Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs to be sold by the Company, when issued and delivered against payment thereof, may be freely deposited by the Company with the Depositary against issuance of ADRs evidencing the ADSs; the ADSs to be sold by the Company, when issued and delivered against payment thereof, will be freely transferable by the Company to or for the account of the Underwriters; and there are no restrictions on subsequent transfers of such ADSs under the laws of the Cayman Islands, the PRC or the United States, except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(h) Intercompany Agreements . (a) The description of each of the Exclusive Option Agreements, Equity Interests Pledge Agreements, Irrevocable Power of Attorney and Exclusive Business Cooperation Agreements (each as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (collectively, the “ Intercompany Agreements ”) in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Our History and Corporate Structure” is true and correct in all material respects. Each Intercompany Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the relevant parties of such agreement, is in full force and effect, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such parties, enforceable against such parties in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting creditors’ rights or by equitable principles relating to enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company or its subsidiaries of each of the Intercompany Agreements will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary is bound or to which the Company or any subsidiary is subject, nor will such actions result in any violation of any applicable law or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary or any of their properties or assets; nor will such actions result in any violation of any provision of any constitutive documents of the Company or its subsidiaries; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution and delivery by the Company or its subsidiaries of, and compliance by the Company or its subsidiaries with, the provisions of each of the Intercompany Agreements, except such as shall have been obtained or waived.

(i) The execution and delivery by the WFOE, the VIEs and the shareholders of the VIEs (the “ PRC Shareholders ”) of, and the performance by such parties of their respective obligations under, each of the Intercompany Agreements and the consummation by such parties of the transactions contemplated therein did not, does not and will not: (A) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company, its subsidiaries or the PRC Shareholders, as the case may be, are a party or by which the Company, its subsidiaries or the PRC Shareholders are bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company, its subsidiaries or the PRC Shareholders are subject; (B) result in any violation of the provisions of constitutive documents or business license of the Company, its subsidiaries, as the case may be; or (C) result in any violation of any PRC statute or any order, rule or regulation of any PRC governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company, its subsidiaries, the RPC Shareholders or any of their properties.

 

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(j) Each of the Intercompany Agreements is in proper legal form under the laws of the PRC for the enforcement thereof against either the WFOE, the VIEs or the PRC Shareholders, as the case may be, in the PRC without further action by the WFOE, the VIEs or the PRC Shareholders, as the case may be; and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of each of the Intercompany Agreements in the PRC, it is not necessary that any such document be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the PRC or that any stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect of any of the Intercompany Agreements.

(k) The Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of each of the WFOE and the VIEs, through, among other things, its rights to direct the RPC Shareholders as to the exercise of their voting rights.

(l) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(m) Authorization of Deposit Agreement . The Deposit Agreement has been duly authorized, and when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general applicability affecting creditors’ rights or by equitable principles relating to enforceability. Upon due execution and delivery by the Depositary of ADRs evidencing Securities and the deposit of Ordinary Shares in respect thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, such ADRs will be duly and validly issued and the persons in whose names the ADRs are registered will be entitled to the rights specified therein and in the Deposit Agreement; and the Deposit Agreement and the ADRs conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(n) Directors and Officers . To the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, none of the Company’s directors, director nominees or executive officers is a party to any legal, governmental or regulatory proceeding that causes such director or officer to be unsuitable for his or her position on the board or in the Company.

(o) No Finder’s Fee . Except those contemplated in this Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with this offering. There are no arrangements, agreements, understandings, payments or issuance with respect to the Company, its subsidiaries, or to the Company’s best knowledge after due inquiry, any of their officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees or affiliates that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation as determined by FINRA.

(p) Listing . The Securities have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance.

 

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(q) Authorization and Description of Securities . The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable. The Securities conform to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(r) Registration Rights . There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered for sale pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered for sale or sold by the Company under the 1933 Act pursuant to this Agreement.

(s) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (A) is in violation of its charter, by-laws or similar organizational documents, (B) is in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject (collectively, “ Agreements and Instruments ”), except for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) was or is in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, assets or operations (each, a “ Governmental Entity ”), except for such violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in therein under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter, by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any Governmental Entity. As used herein, a “ Repayment Event ” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(t) Absence of Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any of its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, which, in either case, would, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(u) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any Governmental Entity, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or which might, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective properties or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(v) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

(w) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company or any of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect; none of the Company and its subsidiaries is in violation of any Intellectual Property of any third parties, except where such violations would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and there is no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’ rights in or to, or the violation of any of the terms of, any of such third parties’ Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; and none of the Intellectual Property used by the Company or its subsidiaries in their businesses has been obtained or is being used by the Company or its subsidiaries in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, is in violation of the rights of any third parties.

(x) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any Governmental Entity is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement, except (A) such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations or state securities laws and (B) such as have been obtained under the laws and regulations of jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Reserved Securities were offered.

(y) Absence of Manipulation . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

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(z) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries have been and are in possession of such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate Governmental Entity necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or where the failure so to possess would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(aa) Title to Property . The Company and its subsidiaries do not own any real properties but have good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

(bb) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(cc) Environmental Laws . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any domestic or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, “ Hazardous Materials ”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or Governmental Entity, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

 

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(dd) Accounting Controls and Disclosure Controls . The Company and each of its subsidiaries have established and maintained a system of internal accounting controls efficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company’s independent accountants have not notified the Company of any “reportable conditions” (as defined under standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) in the Company’s internal accounting controls, or other weaknesses or deficiencies in the design or operation of the Company’s internal accounting controls, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, or could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data consistent with the assertions of the Company’s management in the financial statements. The internal controls are, or upon consummation of the offering of the Securities will be, overseen by the Audit Committee (the “ Audit Committee ”) of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) in accordance with Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (the “ Exchange Rules ”).

(ee) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) that are then in effect and which the Company is required to comply with as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and is actively taking steps to ensure that it will be in compliance with other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act not currently in effect, upon the effectiveness of such provisions, or which will become applicable to the Company at all times after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

(ff) Payment of Taxes . The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with US GAAP, or where failure to file such tax returns or pay such taxes would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has been and is eligible, under all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, notices, guidelines, judicial interpretations or other legislation of the PRC, for all local and national PRC governmental tax holidays, exemptions, waivers, financial subsidies, and other local and national PRC tax relief, concessions and preferential treatment enjoyed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including any predecessor) as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(gg) Insurance . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and which the Company reasonably believes is adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses; all such insurance is in full force and effect; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance as and when such insurance expires; and there is no material insurance claim made by or against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, pending, outstanding, or to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened, and no facts or circumstances exist which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such claim and all due premiums in respect thereof have been paid.

 

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(hh) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.

(ii) Business Practice . None the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “ foreign official ” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith. None of the Company, or (as far as the Company is aware) any of their respective directors, officers and its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of any statute or other law or rule, regulation, order or decree having the force of law in the PRC equivalent to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (and the rules and regulations thereunder).

(jj) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(kk) OFAC . None of the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”) (including but not limited to the designation as a “specially designated national or blocked person” thereunder), Her Majesty’s Treasury or the European Union; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC (including but not limited to the designation as a “specially designated national or blocked person” thereunder), Her Majesty’s Treasury or the European Union.

(ll) No Access to Company Websites or Mobile Applications from the United States . The Company and its subsidiaries have used their reasonable best efforts to implement adequate controls, measures and procedures, including but not limited to utilizing adequate technologies, to prevent access to the Company Websites and mobile applications by any person located in any State.

 

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For the purpose of this Section 1(ll) and Section 3(w), (i) a “ State ” means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or other possession of the United States; (ii) “ Company Websites ” means all Internet websites, webpages, online platforms, URLs and hyperlinks on or through which any person may obtain access to and utilize the online lottery purchase services provided by the Company.

(mm) No Provision of Online Lottery Purchase Services to Non-PRC Persons . To the best knowledge of the Company and its subsidiaries, there is no Non-PRC Person who has made any purchase directly or indirectly on or through any of the Company Websites or mobile applications. The Company has used its reasonable best efforts to implement necessary policies and procedures to uncover any usages or attempted usages by any Non-PRC Person of the online lottery purchase services (including through mobile applications) provided by the Company and its subsidiaries in a timely manner and on a regular basis, and that immediate and effective measures will be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries to retroactively cancel any existing transactions and deny any future dealings with, and usages by, such and any other Non-PRC Persons.

For the purpose of this Section 1(mm) and Section 3(x), a “ Non-PRC Person ” means any natural or legal person that is not a resident of the People’s Republic of China.

(nn) Sales of Reserved Securities . In connection with any offer and sale of Reserved Securities outside the United States, each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, any prospectus wrapper and any amendment or supplement thereto, at the times it was filed and distributed to Invitees, complied and will comply in all material respects with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the same is distributed. The Company has not offered, or caused the Representative to offer, Reserved Securities to any person with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any of its affiliates to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with any such entity or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any of its affiliates or their respective business or products.

(oo) PFIC Status . Based on the Company’s financial statements and the projected composition of its income and valuation of its assets, including goodwill, the Company does not expect to be classified as a “passive foreign investment company” (“ PFIC ”) as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for its current taxable year or in the foreseeable future.

(pp) Payments in Foreign Currency .  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, under current laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC and any political subdivision thereof, all dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the Securities may be paid by the Company to the holder thereof in United States dollars or any other currency that may be converted into United State dollars and freely transferred out of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC and all such payments made to holders thereof or therein who are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong or the PRC will not be subject to income, withholding or other taxes under laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and will otherwise be free and clear of any other tax, duty, withholding or deduction in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and without the necessity of obtaining any governmental authorization in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong and the PRC or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.

(qq) No Undisclosed Relationships . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, shareholders, customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the 1933 Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents.

 

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(rr) No Immunity . None of the Company, its subsidiaries, and any of their properties, assets or revenues is entitled to any right of immunity on the grounds of sovereignty from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from services of process, from attachment prior to or in aid of execution of judgment, or from any other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment.

(ss) No Restrictions on Dividends from Subsidiary . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any applicable laws or regulations, any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiaries’ capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

(tt) No Transfer Taxes . No stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties and no capital gains, income, withholding or other taxes are payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters to the government of the Cayman Islands or the PRC, or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in connection with (i) the deposit with the Depositary of Ordinary Shares by the Company against the issuance of ADRs evidencing the Securities; (ii) the sale and delivery by the Company of the Securities to or for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters; (iii) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any related documents; or (iv) the sale and delivery outside the Cayman Islands by the several Underwriters of the Securities to the initial purchasers thereof in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.

(uu) No Sale, Issuance or Distribution of Shares . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not sold, issued or distributed any shares of its capital stock during the six-month period preceding the date hereof, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A, Regulation D or Regulation S of the 1933 Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.

(vv) Foreign Private Issuer . The Company is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of Rule 405.

(ww) No Undisclosed Indebtedness or Arrangements . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no indebtedness (actual or contingent) and no contract or arrangement is outstanding between the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any director or executive officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any person connected with such director or executive officer (including his/her spouse, minor children, any company or undertaking in which he/she holds a controlling interest) or any other third party; there are no relationships or transactions between the Company or any of its subsidiaries on the one hand and its affiliates, officers and directors or their shareholders, customers or suppliers or any other third party on the other hand, which, although required to be disclosed, are not disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(xx) No Undisclosed Benefits . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has no obligation to provide retirement, death or disability benefits to any of the present or past directors, officers and employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or to any other person. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are in material compliance with all applicable laws relating to employee benefits.

 

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(yy) Critical Accounting Policies . The section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus truly, accurately and completely in all respects describes: (i) accounting policies which the Company believes are important in the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and which require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments (“ Critical Accounting Policies ”); (ii) judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of Critical Accounting Policies; and (iii) the likelihood that different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions; and the Board and management of the Company have reviewed and agreed with the selection, application and disclosure of Critical Accounting Policies and have consulted with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and external counsel with regard to such disclosure.

(zz) Liquidity and Capital Resources . The section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus accurately and fully describes all trends, demands, commitments, events, uncertainties and risks, and the potential effects thereof, that the Company believes would materially affect liquidity and are reasonably likely to occur. The section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus accurately and fully describes in all material respects all off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements and obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries.

(aaa) Action against the Company . Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, no holder of ADSs issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement shall be entitled, except under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, to seek enforcement of its rights through the Depositary or its nominee registered as representative of the holders of the ADSs in a direct suit, action or proceeding against the Company.

(bbb) Choice of Law . The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of the Cayman Islands and the PRC and will be honored by courts in the Cayman Islands and the PRC, subject to the conditions and restrictions described under the caption “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to Section 17 of this Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of each New York State and United States Federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York (each, a “ New York Court ”) and has validly and irrevocably waived any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court; and the Company has the power to designate, appoint and authorize, and pursuant to Section 17 of this Agreement and Section 7.6 of the Deposit Agreement, has legally, validly, effectively and irrevocably designated, appointed and authorized, an agent for service of process in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Deposit Agreement, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, the ADS Registration Statement or the offering of the Securities in any New York Court, and service of process in any manner permitted by applicable laws effected on such authorized agent will be effective to confer valid personal jurisdiction over the Company as provided hereof or in the Deposit Agreement.

 

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Any final judgment for a fixed or readily calculable sum of money rendered by a New York Court having jurisdiction under its own domestic laws in respect of any suit, action or proceeding against the Company based upon this Agreement or the Deposit Agreement and any instruments or agreements entered into for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or therein (i) would be declared enforceable against the Company without reexamination or review of the merits of the cause of action in respect of which the original judgment was given or re-litigation of the matters adjudicated upon or payment of any stamp, registration or similar tax or duty by the courts of the Cayman Islands, provided that (A) adequate service of process has been effected and the defendant has had a reasonable opportunity to be heard, (B) such judgments or the enforcement thereof are not contrary to the law, public policy, security or sovereignty of the Cayman Islands, (C) such judgments were not obtained by fraudulent means and do not conflict with any other valid judgment in the same matter between the same parties, and (D) an action between the same parties in the same matter is not pending in any Cayman Islands court at the time the lawsuit is instituted in the foreign court, and (ii) may be recognized and enforced by the courts of the PRC subject to the conditions and restrictions described under the caption “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities” in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Company is not aware of any reason why the enforcement in the Cayman Islands or the PRC of such a New York Court judgment would be, as of the date hereof, contrary to public policy of the Cayman Islands or the PRC.

(ccc) Related Party Transactions . All the related party transactions required to be disclosed under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the rules and regulations of the Commission, the auditing principles, rules, standards and practices applicable to auditors of “issuers” (as defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) promulgated or approved by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and, as applicable, the Exchange Rules are disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Related Party Transactions,” and such disclosure is true and accurate in all material respects.

(ddd) Merger or Consolidations . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any memorandum of understanding, letter of intent, definitive agreement or any similar agreements with respect to a merger or consolidation or an acquisition or disposition of assets, technologies, business units or businesses.

(eee) Termination of Contracts . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, the Registration Statement, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, by any other party to any such contract or agreement, in each case except where such termination or non-renewal would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(fff) Compliance with PRC Regulations . Each of the Company and its subsidiaries that were incorporated outside of the PRC has complied with, and has taken, or is in the process of taking, steps to ensure compliance by each of its shareholders, option holders, directors, officers and employees that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or citizen with any applicable rules and regulations of the relevant PRC government agencies (including but not limited to the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange) relating to overseas investment by PRC residents and citizens (the “ PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations ”), including, without limitation, requesting each shareholder, option holder, director, officer, employee and participant that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or citizen to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable PRC Overseas Investment and Listing Regulations.

 

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(ggg) PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules . The Company is aware of and has been advised as to the content of the Rules on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “ PRC Mergers and Acquisition Rules ”) jointly promulgated by the Ministry of Commerce, the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Tax Administration, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (the “ CSRC ”) and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC on August 8, 2006, including the relevant provisions thereof which purport to require offshore special purpose entities formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of their securities on an overseas stock exchange. The Company has received legal advice specifically with respect to the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules from its PRC counsel and the Company understands such legal advice. The issuance and sale of the Securities, the listing and trading of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement is not and will not be, as of the date hereof or at each Closing Time, as the case may be, adversely affected by the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules or any official clarifications, guidance, interpretations or implementation rules in connection with or related to the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules.

(hhh) Affiliation . There are no affiliations or associations between (i) any member of the FINRA and (ii) the Company or any of the Company’s officers, directors or 5% or greater security holders or any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered equity securities that were acquired at any time on or after the 180th day immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement was first submitted to the Commission.

(iii) Representation of Officers and/or Directors . Any certificate signed by any officer or director of the Company and delivered to the Representative as required or contemplated by this Agreement shall constitute a representation and warranty hereunder by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the price per ADS set forth in Schedule C, that proportion of the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule B opposite the name of the Company, which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representative in its sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional securities.

(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company hereby grants an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional 867,900 ADSs, as set forth in Schedule B, at the price per ADS set forth in Schedule C, less an amount per ADS equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. The option hereby granted will expire 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering overallotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representative to the Company setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “ Date of Delivery ”) shall be determined by the Representative, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time, as hereinafter defined. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representative in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

 

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(c) Payment . Payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities and delivery of the Initial Securities through the facilities of the DTC shall be made at the offices of Shearman & Sterling, 12th Floor Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (New York City time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “ Closing Time ”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for the Option Securities, and delivery of such Option Securities through the facilities of the DTC shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from the Representative to the Company.

Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account designated by the Company against delivery to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representative, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. The Representative, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Denominations; Registration . The Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representative may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates representing the Ordinary Shares underlying the Initial Securities and the Option Securities will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representative at the office of DTC or its designated custodian not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants with each Underwriter as follows: 

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A, and will notify the Representative immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect all filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

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(b) Filing of Amendments and 1934 Act Documents . The Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, and will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object. The Company has given the Representative notice of any filings made pursuant to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time; the Company will give the Representative notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time to the Closing Time and will furnish the Representative with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representative, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement relating to the Securities or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances, prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representative and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

 

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(f) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(i) Listing of Securities . The Company will use its best efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange.

(j) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Ordinary Shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or ADSs or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or ADSs or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (B) any Ordinary Shares issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (C) any Ordinary Shares issued or options to purchase Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to existing employee benefit plans of the Company referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(k) Release or Waiver of Lock-Up Restrictions . If the Representative, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up agreement described in Section 5(m) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

 

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(l) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. During the period of five years hereafter, the Company will furnish to the Representative and, upon request, to each of the other Underwriters, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of its annual report to shareholders for such year; and the Company will furnish to the Representative (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report the Company filed with the Commission under the 1934 Act or mailed to shareholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other information concerning the Company as the Representative may reasonably request. However, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act and is timely filing reports with the Commission on EDGAR, it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

(m) No Stabilization . Neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on their behalf will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which will constitute or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(n) Taxes . The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters against any documentary, stamp or similar issue tax, including any interest and penalties, on the creation, issue and sale of the Securities and on the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Deposit Agreement. All payments to be made by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder shall be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or governmental charges whatsoever, unless the Company is compelled by law to deduct or withhold such taxes, duties or charges. In that event, the Company shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received after such withholding or deduction shall equal the amounts that would have been received if no withholding or deduction had been made; provided, however, that no such additional amounts shall be paid by the Company in respect of taxes, duties or charges imposed on (i) the net income of an Underwriter, (ii) an Underwriter (or amounts payable to such Underwriter), by reason of a present or former connection between such Underwriter and the applicable taxing jurisdiction imposing such taxes, duties or charges (other than as a result of entering into this Agreement or receiving any payments hereunder) or (iii) an Underwriter (or amounts payable to such Underwriter), by reason of any failure by such Underwriter to provide any form or certificate pursuant to a timely request in writing by the Company addressed to the relevant Underwriter and that such Underwriter is legally able to provide that, if such form or certificate had been provided, would have reduced or eliminated such taxes, duties or charges.

(o) Deposit of Ordinary Shares . The Company will, prior to the Closing Time, deposit the Ordinary Shares with the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and otherwise comply with the Deposit Agreement so that ADSs will be issued by the Depositary against receipt of such Ordinary Shares and delivered to the Underwriters at the Closing Time.

(p) License of Trademarks . Upon request of any Underwriter, the Company will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company’s trademarks, service marks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the offering of the Securities.

(q) Judgment and Approval . The Company agrees that (i) it will not attempt to avoid any judgment applied or denied to it in a court of competent jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands; (ii) following the consummation of the offering of the Securities, it will use its best efforts to obtain and maintain all approvals required in the Cayman Islands to pay and remit outside the Cayman Islands all dividends declared by the Company and payable on the Ordinary Shares, if any; and (iii) it will use its best efforts to obtain and maintain all approvals required in the Cayman Islands for the Company to acquire sufficient foreign exchange for the payment of dividends, if any, and all other relevant purposes.

 

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(r) Compliance with SAFE Rules and Regulations . The Company will comply in all material respects with any applicable rules and regulations of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (the “ SAFE Rules and Regulations ”), and will use its best efforts to cause its directors, officers, option holders and shareholders named in the Company’s share register that are, or that are directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, PRC residents or PRC citizens, to comply in all material respects with the SAFE Rules and Regulations applicable to them in connection with the Company, including, without limitation, requesting each shareholder named in the Company’s share register, option holder, director and officer that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a PRC resident or PRC citizen to complete any registration and other procedures required under applicable SAFE Rules and Regulations.

(s) Interim Financial Statements.  The Company will furnish to the Representative as early as practicable prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but not later than two business days prior thereto, a copy of the latest available unaudited interim and monthly consolidated financial statements, if any, of the Company and its subsidiaries which have been read by the Company’s independent registered public accountants, as stated in their letter to be furnished pursuant to Section 5(k) hereof.

(t) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries will undertake measures to implement, by the time such systems are required by the 1934 Act, systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the 1934 Act) that comply with the requirements of the 1934 Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US GAAP, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(u) Compliance with Laws . The Company will comply with and will require the Company’s directors and executive officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with all applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(v) Transfer Restrictions.  The Company will at all times maintain transfer restrictions (including the inclusion of legends in share certificates, as may be required) with respect to the Company’s Ordinary Shares which are subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to this Agreement and the Lock-Up Agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5(m) hereof and shall ensure compliance with such restrictions on transfer of restricted Ordinary Shares.

(w) No Access to Company Websites or Mobile Applications from the United States . For so long as the Securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other nationally recognized stock exchanges in the United States, the Company and its subsidiaries will use their reasonable best efforts to implement and maintain adequate controls, measures and procedures, including but not limited to utilizing adequate technologies, to prevent access to the Company Websites or mobile applications by any person located in any State.

 

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(x) No Provision of Online Lottery Services to Non-PRC Persons . For so long as the Securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange or any other nationally recognized stock exchanges in the United States, the Company and its subsidiaries will use their reasonable best efforts to implement necessary policies and procedures to uncover any usages or attempted usages by any Non-PRC Person of the online lottery purchase services (including through mobile applications) provided by the Company and its subsidiaries in a timely manner and on a regular basis, and that immediate and effective measures will be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries to retroactively cancel any existing transactions and deny any future dealings with, and usages by, such and any other Non-PRC Persons.

(y) PFIC Status . The Company will use its best efforts not to take any action that would result in the Company becoming a “passive foreign investment company”.

(z) EGC Status . Until 2014, the Company shall notify the Underwriters on or prior to the date on which the Company is no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1933 Act.

(aa) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, or a portion thereof, required to be filed with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representative is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .” The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representative and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(bb) Written Section 5(d) Communications . The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, it has not made and will not make any Section 5(d) Communications relating to the Securities. All written Section 5(d) Communications that have been consented to by the Representative are listed in Schedule C(c). The Company represents and agrees that any Section 5(d) Communications undertaken by it were and will be with qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.

(cc) OFAC . The Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

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SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(A)(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Memorandum and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (vii) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Memorandum and any supplement thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent, registrar or the Depositary for the Securities, (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show and (x) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange, (xii) the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the fifth paragraph of Section 1(a), (xiii) all costs and expenses of Piper Jaffray , including the fees and disbursements of its counsel, incurred by Piper Jaffray in connection with matters related to the Reserved Securities which are designated by the Company for sale to Invitees.

(b) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representative in accordance with the provisions of Section 5, Section 9(a)(i) or (iii), Section 10 or Section 11 hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement and the 1934 Act Registration Statement have become effective and at Closing Time, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the ADS Registration Statement or the 1934 Act Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

 

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(b) Opinion of United States Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP, United States counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(c) Opinion of PRC Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Han Kun Law Offices, PRC counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(d) Opinion of Cayman Islands Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(e) Opinion of British Virgin Islands Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Maples and Calder, British Virgin Islands counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(f) Opinion of Hong Kong Counsel for the Company . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Pun & Associates, Hong Kong counsel for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters.

(g) Opinion of United States Counsel for the Underwriters . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Shearman & Sterling LLP, United States counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters with respect to such matters as the Representative may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. In giving such opinion such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York and the federal law of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the Representative. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

(h) Opinion of PRC Counsel for the Underwriters . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Commerce & Finance Law Offices, PRC counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters with respect to such matters as the Representative may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(i) Officers’ Certificate . At Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1 hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act has been issued, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated.

 

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(j) CFO Certificate.  At the time of the execution of this Agreement and at Closing Time, the Representative shall have received a certificate, dated the date hereof and such Closing date as applicable, of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with respect to certain financial and operating data contained in the Registration Statement, General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.

(k) Accountant’s Comfort Letter . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from Ernst & Young Hua Ming a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(l) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At Closing Time, the Representative shall have received from Ernst & Young Hua Ming a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (k) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.

(m) Lock-up Agreements . At the date of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto signed by the persons listed on Schedule D hereto.

(n) Adverse Developments in PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules. There shall not be any adverse legislative or regulatory developments in the PRC, including but not limited to the PRC Mergers and Acquisitions Rules and Related Clarifications, which, in the sole judgment of the Representative after consultation with the Company, would make it inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities at the Closing Time on the terms and in the manner contemplated in this Agreement.

(o) Execution of Deposit Agreement . The Company and the Depositary shall have executed and delivered the Deposit Agreement and the Deposit Agreement shall be in full force and effect and the Company and the Depositary shall have taken all actions necessary to permit the deposit of the Ordinary Shares and the issuance of the Securities in accordance with the Deposit Agreement.

(p) Certificate of the Depositary . The Depositary shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at the Closing Time, certificates satisfactory to you evidencing the deposit with it of the Ordinary Shares being so deposited against issuance of ADRs evidencing the Securities to be delivered by the Company at the Closing Time, and the execution, countersignature (if applicable), issuance and delivery of ADRs evidencing such Securities pursuant to the Deposit Agreement and such other matters related thereto as the Representative may reasonably request.

(q) Opinion of the Depositary’s Counsel.  The Representative shall have received an opinion from White & Case LLP, counsel for the Depositary, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative.

 

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(r) No Legal Impediment to Issuance.  No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, U.S. or PRC governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Time, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities; and no injunction or order of U.S. federal, state or Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, or PRC court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Time, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities.

(s) Additional Documents.  At or prior to the Closing Time, the Representative shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling the Underwriters to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative.

(t) Exchange Listing.  The Securities shall have been approved to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

(u) DTC Settlement.  At or prior to the Closing Time, the Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of DTC.

(v) Payment of Commission Fees . The Company shall have paid the required Commission filing fees relating to the Securities in such amount and within the time frame provided in the 1933 Act and the Rule 456(b)(1) thereunder.

(w) No FINRA Objection . FINRA has confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements relating to the offering of the Securities.

(x) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company and any of its subsidiaries hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representative shall have received:

(i) Officers’ Certificate . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company confirming that the certificates delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(i) and Section 5(j) hereof remain true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(ii) Certificate of the Depositary . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of a Vice President of the Depositary confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(p) remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(iii) Opinions . Such opinions from the legal advisors referred to in Section 5(b) through Section 5(h) and Section 5(q) hereof, each dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery.

(iv) Bring-down Comfort Letter . A letter from Ernst & Young Hua Ming, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representative pursuant to Section 5(l) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Date of Delivery.

 

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(y) Additional Documents . At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters.

(z) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representative by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “ Affiliate ”), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act or any written Section 5(d) Communication, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company;

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representative), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

 

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provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers . Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to subsection (a) and above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Representative, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to subsection (b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(e) below, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Piper Jaffray. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however , that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances . No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) or settlement of any claim in connection with any violation referred to in Section 6(e) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

 

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(e) Indemnification for Reserved Securities . In connection with the offer and sale of the Reserved Securities, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, their Affiliates and selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending, investigating or settling any such action or claim), as incurred, (i) arising out of the violation of any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Reserved Securities have been offered; (ii) arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any prospectus wrapper or other material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Invitees in connection with the offering of the Reserved Securities or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (iii) caused by the failure of any Invitee to pay for and accept delivery of Reserved Securities; or (iv) related to, or arising out of or in connection with, the offering of the Reserved Securities.

SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions, which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount of the underwriting discounts and commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter.

 

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No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each of the Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors, any person controlling the Company and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement.

(a) Termination; General . The Representative may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, stockholders’ equity, properties, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, the effect of which development, in the sole judgment of the Representative, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, the Cayman Islands, the PRC or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in any of U.S., Cayman Islands, PRC or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq Global Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or with respect to Clearstream or Euroclear systems in Europe, or (v) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either United States federal, New York or PRC authorities, or (vi) if there have been any major disruption of settlements of securities, payment or clearance services in the United States, the Cayman Islands, the PRC or any other country where such securities are listed; or (vii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States, the Cayman Islands or the PRC, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Representative, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency is such as to make it inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities.

 

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(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “ Defaulted Securities ”), the Representative shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representative shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either the (i) Representative or (ii) the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Default by the Company.  If the Company shall fail at Closing Time or at the Date of Delivery to sell the number of Securities that it is obligated to sell hereunder, then this Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any nondefaulting party; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve the Company from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

SECTION 12. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representative at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, attention of Syndicate Manager, Equity Capital Markets; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 6th Floor, Block 9, Phase 2, Shenzhen Software Park, Keji Zhongerlu, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518057, People’s Republic of China, attention of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SECTION 13. NO ADVISORY OR FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its respective stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own respective legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 14. Parties. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 15. Trial by Jury. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its shareholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 17. Submission to Jurisdiction . The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to the laying of venue of any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York and to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit or proceeding in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company irrevocably appoints Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc. at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017 as their respective authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York upon which process may be served in any such suit or proceeding, and agree that service of process upon such agent, and written notice of said service to the Company by the person serving the same to the address provided in Section 12, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all action as may be necessary to maintain such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect for a period of seven years from the date of this Agreement.

 

34


SECTION 18. Judgment Currency. The obligation of the Company pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any sum due to any Underwriter shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than United States dollars, not be discharged until the first business day, following receipt by such Underwriter of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency, on which (and only to the extent that) such Underwriter may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase United States dollars with such other currency; if the United States dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Underwriter against such loss. If the United States dollars so purchased are greater than the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder, such Underwriter agrees to pay to the Company an amount equal to the excess of the dollars so purchased over the sum originally due to such Underwriter hereunder.

SECTION 19. TIME. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 20. Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

SECTION 21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 22. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters and the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
500.COM LIMITED
By     
  Name: Man San Law
  Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors and
          Chief Executive Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT]


CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date first above written:

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
By     
  Authorized Signatory
By     
  Authorized Signatory

For itself and as Representative of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE A

 

Name of Underwriter    Number of Initial Securities

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

Piper Jaffray & Co.

  

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

  
  

 

Total

  
  

 

 

Schedule A-1


SCHEDULE B

 

     Number of Initial Securities to
be Sold
   Maximum Number of Option
Securities to be Sold

500.COM Limited

     

TOTAL

     
  

 

  

 

 

Schedule B-1


SCHEDULE C

 

(a) Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus:

 

(b) Pricing information:

 

  1. The initial public offering price per ADS for the Securities, determined as provided in said Section 2, shall be US$            .

 

  2. The purchase price per ADS to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be US$            , being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less US$             per ADS; provided that the purchase price per ADS for any Option Securities purchased upon the exercise of the overallotment option described in Section 2(b) shall be reduced by an amount per ADS equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities.

 

(c) Written Section 5(d) Communication:

 

Schedule C-1


SCHEDULE D

LIST OF PERSONS AND ENTITIES SUBJECT TO LOCK-UP

Directors and executive officers:

Man San Law

Zhengming Pan

Qi Li

Jiepin Fu

Lei Zheng

Ying Zou

Punleung Liu

Jun Niu

Honghui Deng

Zhaofu Tian

Jinping Ma

Zhe Wei

Min Fan

Catherine Qin Zhang

Qian Sun

Yu Wei

Shareholders:

Clear Treasure Group Limited

Delite Limited

Wander Profits Holding Limited

Brothers Union Investment Holdings Limited

Smart Mega Holding Limited

HWL Partners Limited

Vivoland Limited

Alpha Title Limited

Brothers Union International Limited

Reach Splendid Investments Limited

China Equity (Union) Investment Co., Ltd.

Dragon Global International Ltd.

WinWin Solution Enterprise Ltd.

Jericho Group Global Limited

Power Profit Group Limited

Thousand Gain Investments Limited

Wan Bo Investments Limited

Faith Crown Investments Limited

Bondi Capital

Prosper Sino Investments Limited

Elite Expert Investments Limited

Gather Blossom International Limited

Ace Chance Global Limited

More Wise International Limited

LIST OF OPTIONS HOLDERS SUBJECT TO LOCKUP

 

Schedule D-1


Exhibit A

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

60 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

as Representative of the several Underwriters to be named in the

            within-mentioned Underwriting Agreement

 

Re: Proposed Public Offering by 500.COM LIMITED

Dear Sirs:

The undersigned understands that Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (the “ Representative ”) proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with 500.COM LIMITED, a Cayman Islands corporation (the “ Company ”) providing for the public offering (the “ Offering ”) of the American depositary shares (the “ ADSs ”) representing the Company’s Class A ordinary shares (the “ Ordinary Shares ”). In recognition of the benefit that such an offering will confer upon the undersigned, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter to be named in the Underwriting Agreement that, during a period of 180 days from the public offering date set forth on the final prospectus used to sell the ADSs pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any ADSs or Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for ADSs or Ordinary Shares, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned, owned directly by the undersigned (including holding as a custodian) or with respect to which the undersigned has beneficial ownership within the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, the “ Lock-Up Securities ”), or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any of the Lock-Up Securities, or file or cause to be filed any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of ADSs, Ordinary Shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise. If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed ADSs the undersigned may purchase in the offering.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (1) the Representative agrees that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of the Lock-Up Securities, the Representative will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (2) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the Representative hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

 

Exhibit A-1


Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Representative,

(a) the undersigned may transfer the Lock-Up Securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Offering, provided that no filing under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall be required in connection with such subsequent sales of Lock-Up Securities acquired in such open market transactions;

(b) Sequoia Capital 2010 CGF Holdco, Ltd. (“Sequoia”) may exercise its conversion right pursuant to a convertible note purchase agreement between the Company and Sequoia dated as of October 20, 2013 for a convertible note in an aggregate principal amount of US$20.0 million, and Sequoia may exercise its exchange rights pursuant to an exchangeable note agreement among Sequoia, Power Profit Group Limited and other individuals dated as of October 21, 2013 for exchangeable notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$5.0 million;

(c) Blue Ivy Investment Limited (“Blue Ivy”) may exercise its exchange right pursuant to an exchangeable note agreement among it, Brothers Union Investment Holdings Limited, Vivoland Limited and other individuals dated as of October 3, 2013 for exchangeable notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$20.0 million, and Blue Ivy may transfer the Ordinary Shares of the Company procured through its exercise of the exchange right to two independent third parties prior to the consummation of the Offering as disclosed in the Registration Statement, provided that the Representative receives a signed lock-up agreement from each of such third parties; or

(d) subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer any Lock-Up Securities, provided that (1) the Representative receives a signed lock-up agreement for the balance of the lock-up period from each donee, trustee, distributee or transferee, as the case may be, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfers are not required to be reported in any public report or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise and (4) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such transfers:

(i) as a bona fide gift or gifts; or

(ii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this lock-up agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin); or

(iii) as a distribution to limited partners or stockholders of the undersigned; or

(iv) to the undersigned’s affiliates or to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by the undersigned.

The undersigned agrees that, prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the terms of this lock-up agreement during the period from the date of this lock-up agreement to and including the expiration date of the 180-day lock-up period, it will give notice thereof to the Company and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action unless it has received written confirmation from the Company that the 180-day lock-up period has expired.

The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Lock-Up Securities except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

 

Exhibit A-2


Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if (i) the closing of the public offering has not occurred on or prior to the earlier of (x) the 60th day following the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by all parties thereto, or (y) December 31, 2014, or (ii) the Underwriting Agreement has been terminated for any reason, then, this lock-up agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect.

This lock-up agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[Signature page to follow]

 

Exhibit A-3


Very truly yours,

 

Signature:    
Print Name:    
Date:    

 

Exhibit A-4


Exhibit B

FORM OF PRESS RELEASE

TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3(k)

500.COM LIMITED

[ ], 201[ ]

500.COM LIMITED (the “ Company ”) announced today that Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., the sole book-running manager in the Company’s recent public sale of [ ] American depositary shares (the “ ADSs ”) representing the Company’s Class A ordinary shares (the “ Ordinary Shares ”), are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to [ ] [ADSs] [Ordinary Shares] of the Company held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on [ ], 201[ ], and the [ADSs] [Ordinary Shares] may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Exhibit B-1

Exhibit 4.2

 

-Share Certificate No.-   500.COM LIMITED   -No. of shares-

INCORPORATED IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

SHARE CERTIFICATE

 

AUTHORISED CAPITAL :   US$50,000 DIVIDED INTO 700,000,000 CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES OF A PAR VALUE OF US$0.00005 EACH AND 300,000,000 CLASS B ORDINARY SHARES OF A PAR VALUE OF US$0.00005 EACH.

 

This is to certif y  that   

Name of Shareholder

   Of

 

Address of Shareholder

is the registered holder of   No. of shares (English description) Class Shares                                         fully paid and non-assessable, subject to the rules and laws governing the administration of the Company.

 

Given under the Common Seal of the said Company
This      day of                 

The Common Seal of the Company was hereunto affixed in the presence of

 

 

Director

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

 

 

by and among

500.COM LIMITED

as Issuer,

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS

as Depositary,

AND

THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS

OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED HEREUNDER

 

 

Dated as of [•], 2013

 

 

 


DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT , dated as of [•], 2013, by and among (i) 500.com Limited, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with its principal executive office at 500.com Building, Shenxianling Sports Center, Longgang District Shenzhen 518115, People’s Republic of China and its successors (the “ Company ”), (ii) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as depositary, with its principal office at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, United States of America and any successor depositary hereunder (the “ Depositary ”), and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as hereinafter defined).

W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:

WHEREAS , the Company desires to establish an ADR facility with the Depositary to provide for the deposit of the Shares and the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited; and

WHEREAS , the Depositary is willing to act as the Depositary for such ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement; and

WHEREAS , the American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be substantially in the forms of Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement; and

WHEREAS , the American Depositary Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are accepted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange; and

WHEREAS , the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the actions of the Company and the transactions contemplated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

All capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise clearly indicated:

SECTION 1.1 “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act.

SECTION 1.2 “ Agent ” shall mean such entity or entities as the Depositary may appoint under Section 7.8 hereof, including the Custodian or any successor or addition thereto.


SECTION 1.3 “ American Depositary Share(s)” and “ADS(s) ” shall mean the securities represented by the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to this Deposit Agreement and evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive 10 Shares, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 hereof or a change in Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.9 hereof with respect to which additional American Depositary Receipts are not executed and delivered and thereafter each American Depositary Share shall represent the Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.

SECTION 1.4 “ Article ” shall refer to an article of the American Depositary Receipts as set forth in the Form of Face of Receipt and Form of Reverse of Receipt in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed hereto.

SECTION 1.5 “ Articles of Association ” shall mean the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 1.6 “ ADS Record Date ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.7 hereof.

SECTION 1.7 “ Beneficial Owner ” shall mean as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest in such ADS. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Holder of the ADR evidencing such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner may exercise any rights or receive any benefits hereunder solely through the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs in which such Beneficial Owner has an interest.

SECTION 1.8 “ Business Day ” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not (a) a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and (b) a day on which the market(s) in which Receipts are traded are closed.

SECTION 1.9 “ Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.

SECTION 1.10 “ Company ” shall mean 500.com Limited, a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its successors.

SECTION 1.11 “ Corporate Trust Office ” when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.

SECTION 1.12 “ Custodian ” shall mean, as of the date hereof, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, having its principal office at 57/F International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., People’s Republic of China, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereinafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5 hereof as a successor or an additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require. The term “Custodian” shall mean all custodians, collectively.

 

2


SECTION 1.13 “ Deliver ”, “ Deliverable ” and “ Delivery ” shall mean, when used in respect of American Depositary Shares, Receipts, Deposited Securities and Shares, the physical delivery of the certificate representing such security, or the electronic delivery of such security by means of book-entry transfer (except with respect to the Shares), as appropriate, including, without limitation, through DRS/Profile. With respect to DRS/Profile ADRs, the terms “ execute ”, “ issue ”, “ register ”, “ surrender ”, “ transfer ” or “ cancel ” refer to applicable entries or movements to or within DRS/Profile.

SECTION 1.14 “ Deposit Agreement ” shall mean this Deposit Agreement and all exhibits annexed hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended and supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof.

SECTION 1.15 “ Depositary ” shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.

SECTION 1.16 “ Deposited Securities ” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received or deemed to be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and held hereunder, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section 4.6 hereof and, in the case of collateral delivered in connection with Pre-Release Transactions, to the provisions of Section 2.10 hereof.

SECTION 1.17 “ Dollars” and “$ ” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States.

SECTION 1.18 “ DRS/Profile ” shall mean the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities pursuant to which ownership of ADSs is maintained on the books of the Depositary without the issuance of a physical certificate and transfer instructions may be given to allow for the automated transfer of ownership between the books of DTC and the Depositary. Ownership of ADSs held in DRS/Profile is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto.

SECTION 1.19 “ DTC ” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, the central book-entry clearinghouse and settlement system for securities traded in the United States, and any successor thereto.

SECTION 1.20 “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.

SECTION 1.21 “ Foreign Currency ” shall mean any currency other than Dollars.

SECTION 1.22 “ Foreign Registrar ” shall mean the entity, if any, that carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares or, if no such agent is so appointed and acting, the Company.

SECTION 1.23 “ Holder ” shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose. A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. A Holder shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of the Beneficial Owners of the ADRs registered in such Holder’s name.

 

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SECTION 1.24 “ Indemnified Person” and “Indemnifying Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.8 hereof.

SECTION 1.25 “ Memorandum ” shall mean the memorandum of association of the Company.

SECTION 1.26 “ Opinion of Counsel ” shall mean a written opinion from legal counsel to the Company who is acceptable to the Depositary.

SECTION 1.27 “ Pre-Release Transaction ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10 hereof.

SECTION 1.28 “ Receipt(s); “American Depositary Receipt(s)”; and “ADR(s) ” shall mean the certificate(s) or statement(s) issued by the Depositary evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, as such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. References to Receipts shall include physical certificated Receipts as well as ADSs issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless the context otherwise requires.

SECTION 1.29 “ Registrar ” shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed by the Depositary to register ownership of Receipts and transfer of Receipts as herein provided, and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary for such purposes. Registrars (other than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary.

SECTION 1.30 “ Restricted ADRs ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11 hereof.

SECTION 1.31 “ Restricted ADSs ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11 hereof.

SECTION 1.32 “ Restricted Securities ” shall mean Shares, or American Depositary Shares representing such Shares, which (i) have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering and subject to resale limitations under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, (ii) are held by an officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate of the Company or (iii) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Cayman Islands, under a shareholders’ agreement, shareholders’ lock-up agreement or the Articles of Association or under the regulations of an applicable securities exchange unless, in each case, such Shares are being sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a transaction (x) covered by an effective resale registration statement or (y) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as hereafter defined) and the Shares are not, when held by such person, Restricted Securities.

SECTION 1.33 “ Restricted Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11 hereof.

 

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SECTION 1.34 “ Securities Act ” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.

SECTION 1.35 “ Shares ” shall mean ordinary shares in registered form of the Company, par value $0.00005 each, heretofore or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid. References to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares, whether or not stated in the particular instance; provided, however , that in no event shall Shares include evidence of rights to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which pre-emptive rights have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; and provided further, however , that, if there shall occur any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, conversion or any other event described in Section 4.9 hereof in respect of the Shares, the term “Shares” shall thereafter, to the extent permitted by law, represent the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up, consolidation, exchange, conversion, reclassification or event.

SECTION 1.36 “ United States” or “U.S. ” shall mean the United States of America.

ARTICLE II.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES;

EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS

SECTION 2.1  Appointment of Depositary . The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as exclusive depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).

SECTION 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts .

(a) Form . Receipts in certificated form shall be substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit A and Exhibit B annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. Receipts may be issued in denominations of any number of American Depositary Shares. No Receipt in certificated form shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and Delivered, in the case of Receipts in certificated form, and each Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, in either case as hereinafter provided, and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts in certificated form bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and Delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the form of Receipt to the contrary, the Depositary may, in its discretion, issue ADRs, including Restricted ADRs, in certificated form or through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, and Holders of ADRs shall only be entitled to receive Receipts in certificated form to the extent the Depositary has made Receipts in certificated form available at the expense of the Company (i) in its sole discretion, or (ii) (a) during a continuous period lasting at least 14 days during which DTC ceases to operate as a book-entry clearing house and settlement system (other than by reason of holidays, statutory or otherwise) or (b) if DTC announces an intention permanently to cease and subsequently ceases business as a book-entry clearing house and settlement system and no alternative book-entry clearing house and settlement system satisfactory to the Depositary is available within 45 days. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of Receipt, regardless of whether their Receipts are in certificated form or are issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile.

(b) Legends . In addition to the foregoing, the Receipts may, and upon the written request of the Company shall, be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the text thereof, such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be (i) necessary to enable the Depositary and the Company to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs may be traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, (iii) necessary to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADRs or ADSs are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise or (iv) required by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held. Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed, for all purposes, to have notice of, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the legends set forth, in the case of Holders, on the ADR registered in the name of the applicable Holders or, in the case of Beneficial Owners, on the ADR representing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owners.

(c) Title . Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the form of Receipt, title to a Receipt (and to the ADSs evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of certificated Receipts) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of the State of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Holder thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt, unless such holder is the Holder thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.3 Deposits .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares (including Restricted Securities) may be deposited by any person (including the Depositary in its individual capacity but subject, however, in the case of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7 hereof) at any time beginning on the 181st day after the date of the prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form F-1 under which the ADSs are first sold, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if any, are closed, by Delivery of the Shares to the Custodian. Except for Shares deposited by the Company in connection with the initial sale of ADSs under the registration statement on Form F-1, no deposit of Shares shall be accepted under this Deposit Agreement prior to such date. Every deposit of Shares shall be accompanied by the following: (A)(i) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form, appropriate instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to the Custodian, (ii) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in bearer form, such Shares or the certificates representing such Shares and (iii) in the case of Shares Delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such book-entry transfer to the Custodian or that irrevocable instructions have been given to cause such Shares to be so transferred, (B) such certifications and payments (including, without limitation, the Depositary’s fees and related charges) and evidence of such payments (including, without limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such Shares by way of receipt) as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, (C) if the Depositary so requires, a written order directing the Depositary to execute and Deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory to the Depositary (which may include an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary provided at the cost of the person seeking to deposit Shares) that all conditions to such deposit have been met and all necessary approvals have been granted by, and there has been compliance with the rules and regulations of, any applicable governmental agency and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect of any such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of the Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by confirmation or such additional evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Cayman Islands, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulator of currency exchange. The Depositary may issue Receipts against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited Securities, or any Shares or other Deposited Securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with reasonable written instructions of the Company that the Depositary shall not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares specifically identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the securities laws in the United States and other jurisdictions, provided that the Company shall indemnify the Depositary and the Custodian for any claims and losses arising from not accepting the deposit of any Shares identified in the Company’s instructions.

 

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(b) As soon as practicable after receipt of any permitted deposit hereunder and compliance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Custodian shall present the Shares so deposited, together with the appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer or endorsement, duly stamped, to the Foreign Registrar for transfer and registration of the Shares (as soon as transfer and registration can be accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made) in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a nominee, in each case for the account of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as the Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.

(c) In the event any Shares are deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit, the Depositary is authorized to take any and all actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the issuance of such ADSs and to ensure that such ADSs are not fungible with other ADSs issued hereunder until such time as the entitlement of the Shares represented by such non-fungible ADSs equals that of the Shares represented by ADSs prior to such deposit. The Company agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued contain rights different from those of any other Shares theretofore issued and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of such non-fungible Shares upon Delivery to the Custodian.

SECTION 2.4  Execution and Delivery of Receipts . After the deposit of any Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are Deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex, SWIFT, facsimile or electronic transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the payment of the fees, expenses, taxes and/or other charges owing hereunder), shall issue the ADSs representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice Delivered to the Depositary and shall execute and Deliver a Receipt registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or persons are entitled. Nothing herein shall prohibit any Pre-Release Transaction upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.5  Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts .

(a) Transfer . The Depositary, or, if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed in the case of a certificated Receipt or accompanied by, or in the case of Receipts issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, receipt by the Depositary of, proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States and any other applicable law. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of Exhibit A hereto, the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and Deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered.

(b) Combination and Split Up . The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall, upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts and upon payment to the Depositary of the applicable fees and charges set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of Exhibit A hereto, execute and Deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.

(c) Co-Transfer Agents . The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Holders or persons entitled to such Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity, in each case to the same extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.5 (other than the Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.

(d) Substitution of Receipts . At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated Receipt with a Receipt issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, or vice versa, execute and Deliver a certificated Receipt or deliver a statement, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the relevant Receipt.

SECTION 2.6  Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities . Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of American Depositary Shares for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the fees and charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals of Deposited Securities and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of Exhibit A hereto) and (ii) all applicable taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.10 hereof and any other provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of such American Depositary Shares shall be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares so surrendered. American Depositary Shares may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such American Depositary Shares (if held in certificated form) or by book-entry Delivery of such American Depositary Shares to the Depositary.

 

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A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian or through a book-entry delivery of the Shares (in either case, subject to Sections 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 5.9, hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and to applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect) to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title of the Deposited Securities as may be legally required, as the case may be, to or for the account of such person.

The Depositary may refuse to accept for surrender American Depositary Shares only in the circumstances described in Article (4) of Exhibit A hereto. Subject thereto, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.

At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receipt by the Depositary, the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons entitled thereto at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or cash distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.

 

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SECTION 2.7  Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc .

(a) Additional Requirements . As a condition precedent to the execution and Delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, subdivision, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the Delivery of any distribution thereon or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 hereof and Article (9) of Exhibit A hereto, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1 hereof and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and Delivery of Receipts or American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations and procedures as the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.

(b) Additional Limitations . The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfers of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject, in all cases, to Section 7.10 hereof.

SECTION 2.8  Lost Receipts, etc . To the extent the Depositary has issued Receipts in physical certificated form, in case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, unless the Depositary has notice that such ADR has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt (which, in the discretion of the Depositary may be issued through any book-entry system, including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, unless specifically requested otherwise) in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Holder thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond in form and amount acceptable to the Depositary and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.

SECTION 2.9 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records . All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled in accordance with its customary practices. Cancelled Receipts shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

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SECTION 2.10  Pre-Release . Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Section 2.10, the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may, unless otherwise instructed by the Company, (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof and (ii) Deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not yet have been received (each such transaction, a “ Pre-Release Transaction ”). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the “Applicant”) to whom ADSs or Shares are to be Delivered (1) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be Delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (2) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are Delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (3) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (4) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, United States government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five Business Days’ notice (save for a prescribed termination event in which case any such Pre-Release Transaction may be immediately terminable by the Depositary) and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to 30% of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding pursuant to any Pre-Release Transaction under (i) above), provided, however , that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate.

The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held as security for the performance of the Applicant’s obligations in respect of the relevant Pre-Release Transaction and shall not constitute Deposited Securities.

SECTION 2.11 Restricted ADSs . The Depositary shall, at the request and expense of the Company, establish procedures enabling the deposit hereunder of Shares that are Restricted Securities in order to enable the holder of such Shares to hold its ownership interests in such restricted Shares in the form of ADSs issued under the terms hereof (such Shares, “ Restricted Shares ”). Upon receipt of a written request from the Company to accept Restricted Shares for deposit hereunder, the Depositary agrees to establish procedures permitting the deposit of such Restricted Shares and the issuance of ADSs representing such deposited Restricted Shares (such ADSs, the “ Restricted ADSs ,” and the ADRs evidencing such Restricted ADSs, the “ Restricted ADRs ”). The Company shall assist the Depositary in the establishment of such procedures and agrees that it shall take all steps necessary and reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary to insure that the establishment of such procedures does not violate the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. The depositors of such Restricted Shares and the holders of the Restricted ADSs may be required prior to the deposit of such Restricted Shares, the transfer of the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby or the withdrawal of the Restricted Shares represented by Restricted ADSs to provide such written certifications or agreements as the Depositary or the Company may require. The Company shall provide to the Depositary in writing the legend(s) to be affixed to the Restricted ADRs, which legends shall (i) be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and (ii) contain the specific circumstances under which the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs represented thereby may be transferred or the Restricted Shares withdrawn. The Restricted ADSs issued upon the deposit of Restricted Shares shall be separately identified on the books of the Depositary and the Restricted Shares so deposited shall be held separate and distinct from the other Deposited Securities held hereunder. The Restricted Shares and the Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for Pre-Release Transactions. The Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for inclusion in any book-entry settlement system, including, without limitation, DTC, and shall not in any way be fungible with the ADSs issued under the terms hereof that are not Restricted ADSs. The Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be transferable only by the Holder thereof upon delivery to the Depositary of (i) all documentation otherwise contemplated by this Deposit Agreement and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel setting forth, inter alia, the conditions upon which the Restricted ADR presented is, and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby are, transferable by the Holder thereof under applicable securities laws and the transfer restrictions contained in the legend set forth on the Restricted ADR presented for transfer. Except as set forth in this Section 2.11 and except as required by applicable law, the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be treated as ADRs and ADSs issued and outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement. In the event that, in determining the rights and obligations of parties hereto with respect to any Restricted ADSs, any conflict arises between (a) the terms of this Deposit Agreement (other than this Section 2.11) and (b) the terms of (i) this Section 2.11 or (ii) the applicable Restricted ADR, the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.11 and of the Restricted ADR shall be controlling and shall govern the rights and obligations of the parties to this Deposit Agreement pertaining to the deposited Restricted Shares, the Restricted ADSs and Restricted ADRs.

 

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If any of the Restricted ADRs, the Restricted ADSs and the Restricted Shares are no longer Restricted Securities, the Depositary, upon receipt of (x) an Opinion of Counsel setting forth, inter alia, that such Restricted ADRs, Restricted ADSs and Restricted Shares are not as of such time Restricted Securities, and (y) instructions from the Company to remove the restrictions applicable to such Restricted ADRs, Restricted ADSs and the Restricted Shares, shall (i) eliminate the distinctions and separations between such Restricted Shares held on deposit under this Section 2.11 and the other Shares held on deposit under the terms of the Deposit Agreement that are not Restricted Shares, (ii) treat such newly unrestricted ADRs and ADSs on the same terms as, and fully fungible with, the other ADRs and ADSs issued and outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement that are not Restricted ADRs or Restricted ADSs, (iii) take all actions necessary to remove any distinctions, limitations and restrictions previously existing under this Section 2.11 between such Restricted ADRs and Restricted ADSs, respectively, on the one hand, and the other ADRs and ADSs that are not Restricted ADRs or Restricted ADSs, respectively, on the other hand, including, without limitation, by making the newly unrestricted ADSs eligible for Pre-Release Transactions and for inclusion in the applicable book-entry settlement systems.

SECTION 2.12 Maintenance of Records . The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.6, substitute Receipts Delivered under Section 2.8 and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.9, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in the United States.

 

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ARTICLE III.

CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS

AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS

SECTION 3.1  Proofs, Certificates and Other Information . Any depositor presenting Shares for deposit and any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information; to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information and documentation as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations hereunder. The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may, and at the request of the Company shall, withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof, or to the extent not limited by the terms of Section 7.10 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities, until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties are made, or such other documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositary’s and the Company’s satisfaction. The Depositary shall from time to time on written request advise the Company of the availability of any such proofs, certificates or other information and shall, at the Company’s sole expense, provide or otherwise make available copies thereof to the Company upon written request therefor by the Company, unless such disclosure is prohibited by law. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.1. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any information for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or (ii) verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.

SECTION 3.2  Liability for Taxes and Other Charges . If any present or future tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary and such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be deemed liable therefor. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining fully liable for any deficiency. In addition to any other remedies available to it, the Depositary and the Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to Deliver ADRs, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section 7.10 hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, and each of their respective agents, officers, directors, employees and Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts under this Section 3.2 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.

 

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SECTION 3.3  Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares . Each person presenting Shares for deposit under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities (except as contemplated by Section 2.11), (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance and cancellation of American Depositary Shares in respect thereof and the transfer of such American Depositary Shares . If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.

SECTION 3.4  Compliance with Information Requests . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association and applicable law, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to (a) provide such information as the Company or the Depositary may request pursuant to law (including, without limitation, relevant Cayman Islands law, any applicable law of the United States, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, any resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors adopted pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the Shares, ADSs or Receipts are listed or traded, or to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs or Receipts may be transferred), and (b) be bound by and subject to applicable provisions of the laws of the Cayman Islands, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the requirements of any markets or exchanges upon which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares are listed or traded, or pursuant to any requirements of any electronic book-entry system by which the ADSs, Receipts or Shares may be transferred, to the same extent as if such Holder and Beneficial Owner held Shares directly, in each case irrespective of whether or not they are Holders or Beneficial Owners at the time such request is made. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts to forward upon the request of the Company, and at the Company’s expense, any such request from the Company to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.

 

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ARTICLE IV.

THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES

SECTION 4.1  Cash Distributions . Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms hereof, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof) be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.6 hereof) and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. Holders and Beneficial Owners understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which exceeds three or four decimal places (the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates). The excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request. The Depositary shall forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts.

SECTION 4.2  Distribution in Shares . If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof and shall, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of Delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary may withhold any such distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company (including an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the expense of the Company) that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act or is exempt from registration under the provisions of the Securities Act. To the extent such distribution may be withheld, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such distribution in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of applicable taxes and/or governmental charges and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof.

 

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SECTION 4.3  Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares . Whenever the Company intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Holders of ADSs. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Holders of ADRs, (ii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, if a Holder elects to receive the proposed dividend in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1 hereof or in ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.2 hereof. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.

SECTION 4.4  Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares .

(a) Distribution to ADS Holders . Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. In the event any of the conditions set forth above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section 4.4(b) below or, if timing or market conditions may not permit, do nothing thereby allowing such rights to lapse. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in Section 4.7 hereof) and establish procedures to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or other governmental charges). Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs).

 

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(b) Sale of Rights . If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the extent necessary to determine such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.

(c) Lapse of Rights . If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) hereof or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described in Section 4.4(b) hereof, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.

The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes at its expense the Depositary with opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.

 

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There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.

SECTION 4.5  Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares .

(a) Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution and shall indicate whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such distribution be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable.

(b) Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and the request of the Company to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite determinations set forth in (a) above, the Depositary may distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (ii) net of any taxes and/or other governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.

(c) If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders or requests not to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary does not receive satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 hereof or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such distribution is not reasonably practicable or feasible, the Depositary shall endeavor to sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the net proceeds, if any, of such sale received by the Depositary (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms of Section 4.1 hereof. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances for nominal or no consideration and Holders and Beneficial Owners shall have no rights thereto or arising therefrom.

 

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SECTION 4.6  Conversion of Foreign Currency . Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and in the judgment of the Depositary such Foreign Currency can at such time be converted on a practicable basis (by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law) into Dollars transferable to the United States and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and shall distribute such Dollars (net of any fees, expenses, taxes and/or other governmental charges incurred in the process of such conversion) in accordance with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for interest thereon. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Holders on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.

In converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion may be calculated at a rate which exceeds the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.

If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary may file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem necessary, practicable and at nominal cost and expense. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to file or cause to be filed, or to seek effectiveness of any such application or license.

If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practical or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied, or not obtainable at a reasonable cost, within a reasonable period or otherwise sought, the Depositary shall, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable laws and regulations, either (i) distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to the Holders entitled to receive such Foreign Currency or (ii) hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same.

SECTION 4.7  Fixing of Record Date . Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the “ADS Record Date”), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares, for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions to the Depositary for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.6 hereof and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.

 

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SECTION 4.8  Voting of Deposited Securities . Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 21 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Company’s expense, and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the Depositary or in which voting instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with this Section 4.8, including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Shares or other Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt from a Holder of American Depositary Shares on the ADS Record Date of written voting instructions in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.

In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Shares, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.

 

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In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.

Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in this Section 4.8. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.

There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.

Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 hereof, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.

 

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SECTION 4.9  Changes Affecting Deposited Securities . Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, amalgamation, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is otherwise a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and receipt of an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the Company’s expense reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary (stating that such distributions are not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations), execute and deliver additional Receipts, as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts. In either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change, shall also be made. The Company agrees that it will, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of Receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt of an Opinion of Counsel furnished at the Company’s expense reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.

SECTION 4.10 Available Information . The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A.

SECTION 4.11 Reports . The Depositary shall make available during normal business hour on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Company agrees to provide to the Depositary, at the Company’s expense, all documents that it provides to the Custodian. The Depositary shall, at the expense of the Company (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary), and in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof, also mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary) and unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, to Holders copies of such reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof.

 

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SECTION 4.12 List of Holders . Promptly upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary.

SECTION 4.13 Taxation; Withholding . The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company or its agents such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agents to file necessary tax reports with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Company and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner, to file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositary’s or the Custodian’s obligations under applicable law. The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective directors, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained by the Beneficial Owner or Holder.

The Company shall remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency any amounts required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such governmental authority or agency. Upon any such withholding, the Company shall remit to the Depositary information, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, about such taxes and/or governmental charges withheld or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to the applicable governmental authority) therefor. The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders (i) any taxes withheld by it; (ii) any taxes withheld by the Custodian, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Custodian and (iii) any taxes withheld by the Company, subject to information being provided to the Depositary by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary. None of the Depositary, the Custodian, or the Company shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s income tax liability.

In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary shall withhold the amount required to be withheld and may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes and/or charges and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes and/or charges to the Holders entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively.

The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership of the American Depositary Shares.

 

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ARTICLE V.

THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY

SECTION 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar . Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary or if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, the Registrar shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers, combination and split-up of Receipts, the surrender of Receipts and the delivery and withdrawal of Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.

The Depositary or the Registrar as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositary’s or the Registrar’s knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.

The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time and from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company.

If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups, and to countersign such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary.

If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more securities exchanges, markets or automated quotation systems, (i) the Depositary shall be entitled to, and shall, take or refrain from taking such action(s) as it may deem necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of such securities exchange(s), market(s) or automated quotation system(s) applicable to it, notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement; and (ii) upon the reasonable request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide the Depositary such information and assistance as may be reasonably necessary for the Depositary to comply with such requirements, to the extent that the Company may lawfully do so.

Each Registrar and co-registrar appointed under this Section 5.1 shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement.

 

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SECTION 5.2 Exoneration . None of the Depositary, the Custodian, or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents shall be prevented or forbidden from, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this Deposit Agreement, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States or any state thereof, the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of American Depositary Shares or (v) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement or otherwise.

The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, the Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.

SECTION 5.3 Standard of Care . The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipts to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s) or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 hereof, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement or the applicable ADRs without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, directors, officers, affiliates, employees or agents, shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liabilities be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary).

 

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The Depositary and its directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effects of any vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company, or for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person representing Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without gross negligence or willful misconduct while it acted as Depositary.

SECTION 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary . The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall, in the event no successor depositary has been appointed by the Company, be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof) and (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation.

The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in this Section 5.4. In the event that notice of the appointment of a successor depositary is not provided by the Company in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof.

The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof), and (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary hereunder or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal.

 

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In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due to it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders.

Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.

SECTION 5.5 The Custodian . The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary for the Deposited Securities for which the Custodian acts as custodian and shall be responsible solely to it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with respect to any Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian to deliver the Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained by it as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may request, to the Custodian designated by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate to do so, it may appoint an additional entity to act as Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. After any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders.

Upon the appointment of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the Deposited Securities without any further act or writing and shall be subject to the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of such successor depositary.

SECTION 5.6 Notices and Reports . On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Memorandum and Articles of Association that may be relevant or pertain to such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.

 

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The Company will also transmit to the Depositary (a) English language versions of the other notices, reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) English language versions of the Company’s annual and other reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company and at the Company’s expense, for the mailing of copies thereof to all Holders, or by any other means as agreed between the Company and the Depositary (at the Company’s expense) or make such notices, reports and other communications available for inspection by all Holders, provided, that, the Depositary shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it, including in the form of an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law or of any other applicable jurisdiction, furnished at the expense of the Company, as the Depositary reasonably requests, that the distribution of such notices, reports and any such other communications to Holders from time to time is valid and does not or will not infringe any local, U.S. or other applicable jurisdiction regulatory restrictions or requirements if so distributed and made available to Holders. The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings. The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association along with the provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, in connection with the Shares, in each case, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof, and promptly upon any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of such amendment thereto or change therein, to the extent not in English, along with a certified English translation thereof. The Depositary may rely upon such copy for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.

The Depositary will make available a copy of any such notices, reports or communications issued by the Company and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares governed by such provisions at the Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office.

 

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SECTION 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc . The Company agrees that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an issuance, sale or distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering of rights to subscribe for Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an issuance of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an issuance of rights to subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (v) an elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi) a redemption of Deposited Securities, (vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited Securities, or solicitation of consents or proxies, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger, subdivision, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets or (viii) any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale of assets which affects the Deposited Securities, it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take all steps necessary to ensure that the application of the proposed transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act or the securities laws of the states of the United States). In support of the foregoing, the Company will furnish to the Depositary, at the Company’s expense, (a) a written opinion of U.S. counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating whether or not application of such transaction to Holders and Beneficial Owners (1) requires a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and/or (3) dealing with such other issues reasonably requested by the Depositary; (b) a written opinion of Cayman Islands counsel (satisfactory to the Depositary) stating that (1) making the transaction available to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of the Cayman Islands and (2) all requisite regulatory consents and approvals have been obtained in the Cayman Islands; and (c) as the Depositary may reasonably request, a written Opinion of Counsel in any other jurisdiction in which Holders or Beneficial Owners reside to the effect that making the transaction available to such Holders or Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of such jurisdiction. If the filing of a registration statement is required, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration statement has been declared effective and that such distribution is in accordance with all applicable laws or regulations. If, being advised by counsel, the Company determines that a transaction is required to be registered under the Securities Act, the Company will either (i) register such transaction to the extent necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the transaction to avoid the registration requirements of the Securities Act or (iii) direct the Depositary to take specific measures, in each case as contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to prevent such transaction from violating the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates will at any time (i) deposit any Shares or other Deposited Securities, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares or other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired by the Company or by any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for such Shares, securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to subscribe for such securities, unless such transaction and the securities issuable in such transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities Act or have been registered under the Securities Act (and such registration statement has been declared effective).

Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any proposed transaction.

 

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SECTION 5.8 Indemnification . The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, any Custodian and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any direct losses, liabilities, taxes, costs, claims, judgments, proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, in each case, irrevocable value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) (collectively referred to as “ Losses ”) which the Depositary or any agent thereof may incur or which may be made against it as a result of or in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers and duties under this Agreement or that may arise (a) out of or in connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or withdrawal of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be, (b) out of or in connection with any offering documents in respect thereof or (c) out of or in connection with acts performed or omitted, including, but not limited to, any delivery by the Depositary on behalf of the Company of information regarding the Company in connection with this Deposit Agreement, the Receipts, the American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or any Deposited Securities, in any such case (i) by the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates, except to the extent any such Losses arises out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and/or Affiliates be liable for (a) any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages to the Depositary, any Custodian and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates or any other person, or (b) any Losses arising out of information relating to the Depositary or any Custodian, as the case may be, furnished in writing by the Depositary to the Company expressly for use in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any other offering documents relating to the Receipts, the American Depositary Share, the Shares or any Deposited Securities.

The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company and any of its respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against and hold each of them harmless from any direct Losses which may arise out of acts performed or omitted to be performed by the Depositary arising out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Depositary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, agents and/or Affiliates. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Depositary or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and/or Affiliates be liable for any indirect, special punitive or consequential damages to the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners or any other person.

Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “ Indemnified Person ”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “ Indemnifying Person ”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such Indemnified Person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such Indemnified Person’s rights to indemnification except to the extent the Indemnifying Person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the Indemnifying Person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No Indemnified Person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Indemnifying Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any party hereto.

SECTION 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary . The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary the Depositary’s fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively as provided for under Article (9) of Exhibit A hereto. All fees and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in Section 6.1 hereof. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request.

The Depositary and the Company may reach separate agreement in relation to the payment of any additional remuneration to the Depositary in respect of any exceptional duties which the Depositary finds necessary or desirable and agreed by both parties in the performance of its obligations hereunder and in respect of the actual costs and expenses of the Depositary in respect of any notices required to be given to the Holders in accordance with Article (20) of Exhibit B hereto.

 

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In connection with any payment by the Company to the Depositary:

 

  (i) all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company shall be paid or be procured to be paid by the Company (and any such amounts which are paid by the Depositary shall be reimbursed to the Depositary by the Company upon demand therefor);

 

  (ii) such payment shall be subject to all necessary applicable exchange control and other consents and approvals having been obtained. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours to obtain all necessary approvals that are required to be obtained by it in this connection; and

 

  (iii) the Depositary may request, in its sole but reasonable discretion after reasonable consultation with the Company, an Opinion of Counsel regarding U.S. law, the laws of the Cayman Islands or of any other relevant jurisdiction, to be furnished at the expense of the Company, if at any time it deems it necessary to seek such an Opinion of Counsel regarding the validity of any action to be taken or instructed to be taken under this Agreement.

The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees, charges and expenses and to reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary.

All payments by the Company to the Depositary under this Clause 5.9 shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim, and free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature, imposed by the Cayman Islands or by any department, agency or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto.

The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.

SECTION 5.10 Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions . From time to time or upon request of the Depositary, the Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Depositary may rely on such list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder (except under the circumstances contemplated in Section 2.11) and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder (except under the circumstances contemplated in Section 2.11). The Company shall, in accordance with Article (24) of Exhibit B hereto, inform Holders and Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any other limitations on ownership of Shares that the Holders and Beneficial Owners may be subject to by reason of the number of ADSs held under the Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law, as such restrictions may be in force from time to time.

 

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The Company may, in its sole discretion, but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner pursuant to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, including but not limited to, the removal or limitation of voting rights or the mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADRs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association; provided that any such measures are practicable and legal and can be undertaken without undue burden or expense, and provided further the Depositary’s agreement to the foregoing is conditional upon it being advised of any applicable changes in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Depositary shall have no liability for any actions taken in accordance with such instructions.

ARTICLE VI.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

SECTION 6.1 Amendment/Supplement . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1 and applicable law, the Receipts outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable and not materially prejudicial to the Holders without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Share or Shares, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended and supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.

 

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SECTION 6.2 Termination . The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 60 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination, provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 hereof, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.6 hereof and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights or other property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to Deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and American Depositary Shares, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 7.1 Counterparts . This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection by any Holder during business hours.

SECTION 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to the extent specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties hereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, or (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships.

SECTION 7.3 Severability . In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.

SECTION 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect . The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares shall be parties to the Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of any Receipt by acceptance hereof or any beneficial interest therein.

SECTION 7.5 Notices . Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or electronic transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to 500.com Limited, Attention: Zhengming Pan, 500.com Building, Shenxianling Sports Center, Longgang District, Shenzhen 518115, People’s Republic of China, or to any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary.

 

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Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Company’s expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Attention: ADR Department, 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, United States, telephone: +1 212 250 9100, facsimile: + 1 212 797 0327 or to any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.

Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by first-class mail or cable, telex, facsimile transmission or by electronic transmission (if agreed by the Company and the Depositary), at the Company’s expense, unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.

Delivery of a notice sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an air courier service. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex, facsimile or electronic transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid, as the case may be.

SECTION 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction . This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Except as set forth in the following paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary agree that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Law Debenture Corporate Services Inc. (the “Process Agent”), now at 400 Madison Avenue, Suite 4D, New York, NY 10017, United States as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or state court as described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to be available to act as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in The City of New York on the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Process Agent shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Process Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5 hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary and the Company unconditionally agree that in the event that a Holder or Beneficial Owner brings a suit, action or proceeding against (a) the Company, (b) the Depositary in its capacity as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement or (c) against both the Company and the Depositary, in any state or federal court of the United States, and the Depositary or the Company have any claim, for indemnification or otherwise, against each other arising out of the subject matter of such suit, action or proceeding, then the Company and the Depositary may pursue such claim against each other in the state or federal court in the United States in which such suit, action, or proceeding is pending, and for such purposes, the Company and the Depositary irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company agrees that service of process upon the Process Agent in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be effective service upon it for any suit, action or proceeding brought against it as described in this paragraph.

The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

The Company and the Depositary agree that, notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any claim or dispute or difference of whatever nature between the parties hereto arising directly or indirectly from the relationship created by this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled to refer such dispute or difference for final settlement by arbitration (“ Arbitration ”) in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “ Rules ”) then in force, by a sole arbitrator appointed in accordance with the Rules. The seat and place of any reference to Arbitration shall be New York, New York State. The procedural law of any Arbitration shall be New York law and the language to be used in the Arbitration shall be English. The fees of the arbitrator and other costs incurred by the parties in connection with such Arbitration shall be paid by the party that is unsuccessful in such Arbitration.

EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN THE ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

 

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The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.

SECTION 7.7 Assignment . Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 hereof, this Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.

SECTION 7.8 Agents . The Depositary shall be entitled, in its sole but reasonable discretion, to appoint one or more agents (the “ Agents ”) of which it shall have control for the purpose, inter alia , of making distributions to the Holders or otherwise carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.

SECTION 7.9 Exclusivity . The Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for the issuance or administration of depositary receipts evidencing any class of stock of the Company so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as Depositary hereunder.

SECTION 7.10 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws . Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or Delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.

SECTION 7.11 Titles . All references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, Articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. The words “ this Deposit Agreement ”, “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereby ”, “ hereunder ”, and words of similar import refer to the Deposit Agreement as a whole as in effect between the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement are included for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Deposit Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, 500.COM LIMITED and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

500.COM LIMITED
By:     
 

Name:

Title:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
By:     
 

Name:

Title:

By:     
 

Name:

Title:

 

39


EXHIBIT A

CUSIP [ ]

ISIN [ ]

American Depositary

Shares (Each

American Depositary

Share

representing 10

Fully Paid Ordinary

Shares)

[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT

for

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

representing

DEPOSITED ORDINARY SHARES

of

500.COM LIMITED

(Incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands)

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as depositary (herein called the “ Depositary ”), hereby certifies that                      is the owner of                      American Depositary Shares (hereinafter “ ADS ”), representing deposited ordinary shares, each of Par Value of $0.00005 including evidence of rights to receive such ordinary shares (the “ Shares ”) of 500.com Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Company ”). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (hereinafter referred to), each ADS represents 10 Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch (the “ Custodian ”). The ratio of Depositary Shares to shares of stock is subject to subsequent amendment as provided in Article IV of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary’s Corporate Trust Office is located at 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.

(1) The Deposit Agreement . This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts (“ Receipts ”), all issued or to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2013 (as amended from time to time, the “ Deposit Agreement ”), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time, received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, other securities, property and cash are herein called “ Deposited Securities ”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the Custodian.

 

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Each owner and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.

The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association (as in effect on the date of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the American Depositary Shares into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such American Depositary Shares. The Receipt evidencing the American Depositary Shares held through DTC will be registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. So long as the American Depositary Shares are held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial interests in the Receipt registered in the name of DTC (or its nominee) will be shown on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by (i) DTC (or its nominee), or (ii) DTC Participants (or their nominees).

(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities . Upon surrender, at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, and upon payment of (i) the charges of the Depositary for the making of withdrawals and cancellation of Receipts (as set forth in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and Article (9) hereof) and (ii) all fees, taxes and/or governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal, and, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Section 7.10 of the Deposit Agreement, Article (22) hereof and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and other applicable laws, the Holder of the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby is entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADS so surrendered. Subject to the last sentence of this paragraph, such Deposited Securities may be Delivered in certificated form or by electronic Delivery. ADS may be surrendered for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities by Delivery of a Receipt evidencing such ADS (if held in registered form) or by book-entry delivery of such ADS to the Depositary.

 

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A Receipt surrendered for such purposes shall, if so required by the Depositary, be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Holder thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the designated office of the Custodian (subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and to the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities and applicable laws, now or hereafter in effect), to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as provided above, the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs, together with any certificate or other proper documents of or relating to title for the Deposited Securities or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available) as the case may be to or for the account of such person. The Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.

Subject to Article (4) hereof, in the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and Deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held in respect of, and any certificate or certificates and other proper documents of or relating to title to, the Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt to the Depositary for Delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, and for further Delivery to such Holder. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.

(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar shall register transfers of Receipts on its books, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt by the Holder thereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard industry practice) and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America, of the Cayman Islands and of any other applicable jurisdiction. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, including payment of the applicable fees and expenses incurred by, and charges of, the Depositary, the Depositary shall execute and Deliver a new Receipt(s) (and if necessary, cause the Registrar to countersign such Receipt(s)) and deliver same to or upon the order of the person entitled to such Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered. Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of the Depositary, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.

 

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(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc . As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts and ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary or the Company consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.

The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the issuance of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Share are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or any meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (22) hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, the Holders of Receipts are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and/or similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time). Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares.

(5) Compliance With Information Requests . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands, the rules and requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and any other stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be registered, traded or listed, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are made to provide information as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs and regarding the identity of any other person interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owner at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to use reasonable efforts to forward any such requests to the Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.

 

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(6) Liability of Holder for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges . If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Depositary or the Custodian with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax, or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of the Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, with the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining fully liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares, and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article (22) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and each of their respective agents, directors, employees and Affiliates for, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.

Holders understand that in converting Foreign Currency, amounts received on conversion are calculated at a rate which may exceed the number of decimal places used by the Depositary to report distribution rates (which in any case will not be less than two decimal places). Any excess amount may be retained by the Depositary as an additional cost of conversion, irrespective of any other fees and expenses payable or owing hereunder and shall not be subject to escheatment.

(7) Representations and Warranties of Depositors . Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares (and the certificates therefor) are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and were legally obtained by such person, (ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares, have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the ADSs issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities (except as contemplated by Section 2.11 of the Deposit Agreement), (v) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements and (vi) the Shares are not subject to any lock-up agreement with the Company or other party, or the Shares are subject to a lock-up agreement but such lock-up agreement has terminated or the lock-up restrictions imposed thereunder have expired or been validly waived. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance, cancellation and transfer of ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Company and Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.

 

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(8) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information . Any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes and/or other governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities or other information as the Depositary deems necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to Article (22) hereof and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed, or such certifications are executed, or such representations and warranties made, or such information and documentation are provided.

(9) Charges of Depositary . The Depositary reserves the right to charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the ADSs are listed:

(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;

(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS so surrendered;

(iii) to any Holder of ADSs, a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS held for the distribution of cash proceeds, including cash dividends or sale of rights and other entitlements, not made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal;

(iv) to any holder of ADSs, a fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS issued upon the exercise of rights; and

(v) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the ADSs an annual fee of up to U.S.$0.05 per ADS, such fee to be assessed against Holders of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.

In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, any depositor depositing Shares for deposit and any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:

(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;

(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;

 

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(iii) such cable, telex, facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the depositor depositing or person withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;

(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency;

(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs;

(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable;

(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred by the Depositary from time to time.

Any other fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary or the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement shall be for the account of the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (20) hereof.

(10) Title to Receipts . It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) is transferable by delivery of the Receipt, provided it has been properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, such Receipt being a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes. The Depositary shall have no obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this Receipt registered on the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner’s representative is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary.

(11) Validity of Receipt . This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose, unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, for the issuance and transfer of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.

 

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(12) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books . The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, U.S.A. The Depositary shall make available during normal business hours on any Business Day for inspection by Holders at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.

The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Depositary’s or the Registrar’s knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.

The Depositary or the Registrar, as applicable, may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (22) hereof.

 

Dated:    

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST

COMPANY AMERICAS, as Depositary

    By:    
    By:     

The address of the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary is 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, U.S.A.

 

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EXHIBIT B

[ FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

(13) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc . Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis, into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars and will distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADS representing such Deposited Securities held by such Holders respectively as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Holders entitled thereto. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Any Foreign Currency received by the Depositary shall be converted upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement.

If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of the applicable fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes and/or governmental charges). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit Agreement.

 

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In the event that (x) the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, (y) if the Company, in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has either (a) furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), or (b) fails to timely deliver the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of taxes and/or governmental charges, and fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.

Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, upon provision of all documentation required under the Deposit Agreement, (including, without limitation, any legal opinions the Depositary may request under the Deposit Agreement) determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to Article (14) hereof and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. If such elective distribution is not lawful or reasonably practicable or if the Depositary did not receive satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the Cayman Islands, in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.

 

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Upon receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Company shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made available to Holders, the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of rights is lawful and reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date and establish procedures (x) to distribute such rights (by means of warrants or otherwise) and (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges). Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise such rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it is not lawful or reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal capacity or otherwise, at such place and upon such terms (including public and/or private sale) as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) upon the terms hereof and in the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act and/or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes to the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in each case satisfactorily to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes and/or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes and/or charges.

There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights or otherwise to register or qualify the offer or sale of such rights or securities under the applicable law of any other jurisdiction for any purpose.

 

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Upon receipt of a notice regarding property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine, after consultation with the Company, whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have timely requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by such Holders respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes and/or governmental charges. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.

If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall distribute the proceeds of such sale received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

(14) Fixing of Record Date . Whenever necessary in connection with any distribution (whether in cash, shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of or solicitation of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (“ADS Record Date”), as close as practicable to the record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Shares (if applicable), for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS or for any other reason. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of record at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.

 

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(15) Voting of Deposited Securities . Subject to the next sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 21 Business Days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Company’s expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail by regular, ordinary mail delivery, or by electronic transmission, or otherwise distribute as soon as practicable after receipt thereof to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy; (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s American Depositary Shares; and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given to the Depositary or in which voting instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement, including an express indication that instructions may be given (or deemed to have been given in accordance with the immediately following paragraph of this section) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person or persons designated by the Company. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Shares or other Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt from a Holder of American Depositary Shares on the ADS Record Date of written voting instructions in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with such voting instructions.

In the event that (i) the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs or (ii) no timely instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs held by such Holder on the ADS Record Date, the Depositary shall (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided, however, that no such instruction shall be deemed to have been given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to give such proxy, (y) the Company is aware or should reasonably be aware that substantial opposition exists from Holders against the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote or (z) the outcome for which the person designated by the Company would otherwise vote would materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of Shares, provided, further, that the Company will have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner resulting from such notification.

In the event that voting on any resolution or matter is conducted on a show of hands basis in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary will refrain from voting and the voting instructions (or the deemed voting instructions, as set out above) received by the Depositary from Holders shall lapse. The Depositary will have no obligation to demand voting on a poll basis with respect to any resolution and shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner for not having demanded voting on a poll basis.

 

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Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting, and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders, including the deemed instruction to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which (i) no timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder, or (ii) timely voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder but such voting instructions fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder’s ADSs, shall be voted in the manner provided in Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, and subject to applicable law, regulation and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company, represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date) for the purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders.

There can be no assurance that Holders or Beneficial Owners generally or any Holder or Beneficial Owner in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.

Notwithstanding the above, save for applicable provisions of the law of the Cayman Islands, and in accordance with the terms of Section 5.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities or the manner in which such vote is cast or the effect of such vote.

(16) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities . Upon any change in par value, split-up, subdivision, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it otherwise is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. Alternatively, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to this form of Receipt specifically describing such new Deposited Securities and/or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company’s approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.

 

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(17) Exoneration . None of the Depositary, the Custodian, or the Company shall be obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or shall incur any liability (i) if the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States , the Cayman Islands or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or any provision of or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, (including, without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action or inaction of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company or their respective controlling persons or agents in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, opinion or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.

(18) Standard of Care . The Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except in accordance with Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement, provided, that the Company and the Depositary and their respective directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Depositary and its directors, officers, affiliates, employees and agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company. In no event shall the Depositary or any of its Agents be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damage.

 

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(19) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary . The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement, save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such resignation. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to appoint such successor depositary, and give notice to the Depositary of such appointment, not more than 90 days after delivery by the Depositary of written notice of resignation as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the later of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement save that, any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement or in accordance with any other agreements otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time shall be paid to the Depositary prior to such removal. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.

 

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(20) Amendment/Supplement . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article (20), and applicable law, this Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges of the Depositary in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and/or other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of Receipts shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary). The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS, to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.

 

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(21) Termination . The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 90 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination provided that, the Depositary shall be reimbursed for any amounts, fees, costs or expenses owed to it in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and in accordance with any other agreements as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Depositary from time to time, prior to such termination shall take effect. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Holder’s Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, Deposited Securities and ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes and/or governmental charges or assessments) and except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement. Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.

(22) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws; Regulatory Compliance . Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.

 

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(23) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations . Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Article (23), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares furnished on behalf of the holder thereof. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not yet have been received (each such transaction a “Pre-Release Transaction”). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the “Applicant”) to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (1) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (2) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (3) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (4) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, United States government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five business days’ notice (save for a prescribed termination event in which case any such Pre-Release Transaction may be immediately terminable by the Depositary) and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to 30% of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding pursuant to any Pre-Release Transaction under (i) above), provided , however , that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate.

The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).

(24) Ownership Restrictions . Owners and Beneficial Owners shall comply with any limitations on ownership of Shares under the Memorandum and Articles of Association or applicable Cayman Islands law as if they held the number of Shares their American Depositary Shares represent. The Company shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.

(25) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN THE ADRs) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

 

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(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto                                      whose taxpayer identification number is                              and whose address including postal zip code is                                          , the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing                                      attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:     Name:                                                                                        
    By:  
    Title:  
     

 

NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

If the endorsement be executed by an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, the person executing the endorsement must give his/her full title in such capacity and proper evidence of authority to act in such capacity, if not on file with the Depositary, must be forwarded with this Receipt.

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED

 

 

 

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ARTICLE I.   DEFINITIONS    1
  SECTION 1.1    “Affiliate”    1
  SECTION 1.2    “Agent”    1
  SECTION 1.3    “American Depositary Share(s)” and “ADS(s)”    2
  SECTION 1.4    “Article”    2
  SECTION 1.5    “Articles of Association”    2
  SECTION 1.6    “ADS Record Date”    2
  SECTION 1.7    “Beneficial Owner”    2
  SECTION 1.8    “Business Day”    2
  SECTION 1.9    “Commission”    2
  SECTION 1.10    “Company”    2
  SECTION 1.11    “Corporate Trust Office”    2
  SECTION 1.12    “Custodian”    2
  SECTION 1.13    “Deliver” and “Delivery”    3
  SECTION 1.14    “Deposit Agreement”    3
  SECTION 1.15    “Depositary”    3
  SECTION 1.16    “Deposited Securities”    3
  SECTION 1.17    “Dollars” and “$”    3
  SECTION 1.18    “DRS/Profile”    3
  SECTION 1.19    “DTC”    3
  SECTION 1.20    “Exchange Act”    3
  SECTION 1.21    “Foreign Currency”    3
  SECTION 1.22    “Foreign Registrar”    3
  SECTION 1.23    “Holder”    3
  SECTION 1.24    “Indemnified Person” and “Indemnifying Person”    4
  SECTION 1.25    “Memorandum”    4
  SECTION 1.26    “Opinion of Counsel”    4
  SECTION 1.27    “Pre-Release Transaction”    4
  SECTION 1.28    “Receipt(s); “American Depositary Receipt(s)”; and “ADR(s)”    4
  SECTION 1.29    “Registrar”    4
  SECTION 1.30    “Restricted ADRs”    4
  SECTION 1.31    “Restricted ADSs”    4
  SECTION 1.32    “Restricted Securities”    4
  SECTION 1.33    “Restricted Shares”    4
  SECTION 1.34    “Securities Act”    5
  SECTION 1.35    “Shares”    5
  SECTION 1.36    “United States” or “U.S.”    5
ARTICLE II.   APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPT; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS    5
  SECTION 2.1    Appointment of Depositary    5
  SECTION 2.2    Form and Transferability of Receipts    5
  SECTION 2.3    Deposits    7
  SECTION 2.4    Execution and Delivery of Receipts    8
  SECTION 2.5    Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts    9
  SECTION 2.6    Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities    9

 

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  SECTION 2.7    Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc.    11
  SECTION 2.8    Lost Receipts, etc.    11
  SECTION 2.9    Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records    11
  SECTION 2.10    Pre-Release    12
  SECTION 2.11    Restricted ADSs    12
  SECTION 2.12    Maintenance of Records    13
ARTICLE III.   CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF RECEIPTS    14
  SECTION 3.1    Proofs, Certificates and Other Information    14
  SECTION 3.2    Liability for Taxes and Other Charges    14
  SECTION 3.3    Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares    15
  SECTION 3.4    Compliance with Information Requests    15
ARTICLE IV   THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES    16
  SECTION 4.1    Cash Distributions    16
  SECTION 4.2    Distribution in Shares    16
  SECTION 4.3    Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares    17
  SECTION 4.4    Distribution of Rights to Purchase Shares    17
  SECTION 4.5    Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares    19
  SECTION 4.6    Conversion of Foreign Currency    20
  SECTION 4.7    Fixing of Record Date    20
  SECTION 4.8    Voting of Deposited Securities    21
  SECTION 4.9    Changes Affecting Deposited Securities    23
  SECTION 4.10    Available Information    23
  SECTION 4.11    Reports    23
  SECTION 4.12    List of Holders    24
  SECTION 4.13    Taxation; Withholding    24
ARTICLE V.   THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY    25
  SECTION 5.1    Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar    25
  SECTION 5.2    Exoneration    26
  SECTION 5.3    Standard of Care    26
  SECTION 5.4    Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary    27
  SECTION 5.5    The Custodian    28
  SECTION 5.6    Notices and Reports    28
  SECTION 5.7    Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc.    30
  SECTION 5.8    Indemnification    31
  SECTION 5.9    Fees and Charges of Depositary    31
  SECTION 5.10    Restricted Securities Owners/Ownership Restrictions    32
ARTICLE VI.   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION    33
  SECTION 6.1    Amendment/Supplement    33
  SECTION 6.2    Termination    34
ARTICLE VII.   MISCELLANEOUS    35
  SECTION 7.1    Counterparts    35
  SECTION 7.2    No Third-Party Beneficiaries    35

 

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  SECTION 7.3    Severability    35
  SECTION 7.4    Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect    35
  SECTION 7.5    Notices    35
  SECTION 7.6    Governing Law and Jurisdiction    36
  SECTION 7.7    Assignment    38
  SECTION 7.8    Agents    38
  SECTION 7.9    Exclusivity    38
  SECTION 7.10    Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws    38
  SECTION 7.11    Titles    38
EXHIBIT A         40
EXHIBIT B         48

 

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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated April 26, 2013, in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form F-1) and related Prospectus of 500.com Limited dated November 15, 2013.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP
Shenzhen, the People’s Republic of China
November 15, 2013