New York - Neteller, a provider of online payment processing for about 85% of all gambling sites that was targeted by U.S. authorities for violating the country's online gambling ban, has agreed to forfeit $136 million as part of a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Dept., The Wall Street Journal reported.

Under the deal, Neteller will return some $94 million to its U.S. customers; the company stopped doing business with U.S. residents after its two co-founders were arrested while traveling in the U.S.

The company admitted wrongdoing, but will avoid a conspiracy prosecution if it avoids further wrongdoing for the next two years.

Neteller co-founders John David Lefebvre and Stephen Eric Lawrence have both pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to transfer of illegal gambling proceeds, and face up to five years in prison.

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