Google, Yahoo, Mocrosoft Hit for Gambling Ads

All three of these company have agreed to pay a combined $31.5 million to settle federal civil allegations they took ads for illegal gambling, according to the U.S. Attorney for eastern Missouri. They also agreed to stop accepting ads for sports wagering and other online gambling. The investigation conducted by U. S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway's office, along with the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI, dates to 2000. Negotiations have been going on for 12 to 18 months. All three companies said they stopped taking the ads years ago.