LONDON (AFX) - Shares in online gambling company Betonsports PLC were temporarily suspended today at 7.50 am pending an announcement.

It was announced by the US government late last night that the US Justice Department indicted 11 people and four companies, including BetOnSports, on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.

BetOnSports is based in Costa Rica and listed on the London Stock Exchange and shares fell nearly 18 pct yesterday on the news that the company's chief executive David Carruthers was arrested.

A federal court in St Louis issued a temporary restraining order Monday to prevent BetOnSports from accepting bets from the US.

The founder of the company, Gary Stephen Kaplan, was charged with 20 felonies. CEO Carruthers was arrested Sunday in Dallas on the charges. The indictment seeks forfeiture of 4.5 bln usd from Kaplan and the co-defendents, as well as various properties.

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