Why 500.com Ltd. Stock Plunged (Again) Today

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What:Shares of500.com Ltdwere down 18.8% as of 1:00 p.m. EST Wednesday after theChinese online sports-lottery company announced the temporary suspension of online purchase orders for lottery products by "certain provincial sports lottery administration centers."

Specifically, 500.com says those administration centers have suspended orders in response to a notice jointly put into effect by the Chinese Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the General Administration of Sports requiring that they do so as part of a self-inspection process and to "take remedial measures for unauthorized online lottery sales within their respective jurisdictions."

So what: 500.com elaborated the suspensions will affect four of its high frequency lottery products, which collectively accounted for around 9.6% of overall revenue last year. It also promised it is closely monitoring the situation and "will disclose relevant information in a timely manner once available."

Now what: Over the long run, 500.com insists this situation will "ensure healthy development of the lottery market in China," and therefore should be good for its business despite the near-term hit.

Most unsettling, however, is that the announcement came just two days after500.com stock plungedmore than 16% amid rumors its CEO has been detained and that the Chinese government might revoke its license.500.com insisted those rumors are false and were "conveniently spread during China's seven-day new year's holiday," during which lottery sales are prohibited, anyway. If that wasn't enough, shares of the company also fell earlier this month after it announced a 44% decline in operating profit and warned of further weakness going forward amid increased competition in the space.

Of course, if everything works out as 500.com claims, the stock could be a bargain for risk-taking investors as it trades around seven times next year's expected earnings. However, that risk is too much for my taste. In the end, I feel the need to reiterate my stance that given all this uncertainty, I'm more comfortable watching this situation unfold from the sidelines.

The article Why 500.com Ltd. Stock Plunged (Again) Today originally appeared on Fool.com.

Steve Symington has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.