Search Engines Ending US Online Casino Ads

``The move, which the companies said would go into effect by the end of April, comes as U.S. prosecutors are threatening action against American companies that do business with Internet casinos that are based abroad.

``The prosecutors are arguing that the American companies are "aiding and abetting" offshore Internet casinos, whose operations are illegal in the United States. Prosecutors started a grand jury investigation last year, issuing subpoenas to American broadcasters, publishers and Web sites that run advertisements for the casinos.

``Search engine companies, broadcasters and experts who follow the Internet gambling industry said the loss of advertising was not big enough to make a major difference to the profits of U.S. broadcasters and publishers. But some industry experts said the policy change could have a big impact on the online casinos..."