On-line payment service PayPal yesterday said that it has reached an agreement with the New York State Attorney General in an inquiry into payments made through the company’s service to on-line gambling merchants. Under the settlement, PayPal will stop processing payments from New York residents to on-line casinos by 1st September 2002.

The company will also pay $200,000 to the State of New York to cover gambling profits, the cost of investigation and penalties.

PayPal said in a statement that it is “taking this action in voluntary co-operation with the Attorney General and is not admitting to a violation on law.”

Earlier this week Ebay received US regulatory clearance to acquire PayPal. For the time being, PayPal will block only payments made by New York residents to internet casinos. However, Ebay has stated that it intends to discontinue all of PayPal’s on-line gambling activities after it completes the purchase.

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