Poker Company Reaches Deal with U.S. Government

NEW YORK (AP) - An Internet poker company says it has reached a deal with the U.S. government to pay hundreds of millions of dollars, allowing U.S. customers to be reimbursed.

Pokerstars says in a release Tuesday that its deal with the U.S. Department of Justice calls for it to pay the government $547 million over three years. It says the money will in part be used to reimburse former U.S. customers of Full Tilt Poker.

Pokerstars said in its release that it has acquired the assets of Full Tilt Poker.

The companies are among three whose U.S. operations were shut down when the government brought criminal charges against various poker company executives and those who helped the companies process money.

Prosecutors say they are preparing a statement on the matter.