US measure hurts shares of UK online gaming firms

LONDON -- Shares in British online gambling companies, including Sportingbet PLC and PartyGaming PLC, dived yesterday after the Congress passed legislation prohibiting the use of credit cards, checks, and electronic fund transfers for online gaming.

PartyGaming said it would pull out of the United States if President Bush signs the legislation . The company 888 Holdings PLC said it is suspending online betting operations in the United States as a result, and Sportingbet PLC said it called off takeover talks with World Gaming PLC.