Shares of online gaming firms have plunged after the US Congress passed a bill cracking down on internet gambling, threatening their business.
Partygaming saw its shares fall by nearly 60%, while shares in 888 Holdings tumbled by more than 45%.
Both firms have said they could stop taking bets from US customers if the bill is signed into law by President George W Bush in the next two weeks.
The legislation is part of a clampdown on online gaming in the US.
The law would make it illegal for banks and credit card firms to process online gaming payments from the US.
UK betting giant William Hill recently said it was closing its US gaming business pending clarification of the industry's legal position.
Begs the question : could similar legislation be introduced for websites that are deemed to be obscene by the neocons?
