The internet gaming crisis has deepened after World Gaming became the first company to warn it may be in default on its debts and Pokerstars shelved plans for a $4bn (€3.1bn) flotation in the wake of US Congress approval of new laws restricting online gambling.

The disclosure by World Gaming came after moves by the US Congress to ban credit card firms and banks from taking payments intended for gaming groups as part of its crackdown on the online gambling industry.