Brussels - The European Union has launched an investigation into U.S. treatment of overseas online gambling operations, with an eye towards possibly launching proceedings against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization, Reuters reported. Several European online gaming services filed complaints with the EU in December, saying that the U.S. is singling out foreign companies for prosecution, while allowing domestic online gambling on horse racing.

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.

London - Neteller, an online payment processor that served 85% of the Internet gambling industry until certain of its assets were frozen by the U.S. Justice Dept. (DOJ), announced that it has signed an agreement with the DOJ that will allow millions of dollars to be returned to its former U.S. customers.

London - Neteller, a U.K.-based provider of online payment processing services, announced that it will lay off 250 employees in Canada and the U.K., citing the recent U.S. crackdown on Internet gambling sites and related services, Silicon.com reported.

New York - Two Canadian men who founded the U.K.-based online money transfer company Neteller have been arrested by U.S. authorities and charged with laundering billions of dollars in illegal online gambling proceeds.