The European Union launched an investigation on Monday into whether US measures on foreign online gambling companies break international rules, possibly paving the way for World Trade Organisation action.
European online gaming companies, such as PartyGaming and bwin Interactive Entertainment, complained in December that the US Justice Department was singling out foreign online gambling companies for prosecution.
"We are interested in a constructive and mutually satisfactory solution to this issue." The Commission said it would look into the complaints over the next five to seven months and could decide to launch WTO proceedings against the United States if warranted.