Economic Development Minister Allan Bell has met management of troubled e-Gaming firm PokerStars.

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the Isle of Man-based online gaming site, after founder Isai Scheinberg and director Paul Tate were among eleven people charged in America with money laundering, bank fraud and operating an illegal gambling venture.

Mr Bell says a meeting took place this morning (Monday), and consultation will continue to find a way forward and assess the substance of the allegations.

The defendants are accused of using shell companies and bribing small private banks in America to process payments for US players.

Intermediaries are said to have been used to commit the alleged offences.

The eleven defendants, including the founders of the three biggest firms - PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker - have been indicted by a New York district attorney.

Online gambling is illegal in the United States although on Mandate this morning Mr Bell said there had been a fierce debate there on whether poker should be classed as gaming or 'a game of skills'.

PokerStars' American website has been closed down, but its worldwide e-Gaming site is continuing to operate.

PokerStars is one of the Isle of Man's biggest employers, with around 250 members of staff.