Microsoft, Google and Yahoo have agreed to pay a total of us $31.5 million to settle claims that they accepted online ads promoting illegal gambling. None of the three firms, however, acknowledged any wrongdoing.

us authorities claimed the trio illegally accepted payments from online gaming firms between 1997 and 2007. The companies said they stopped taking such ads years ago. Under us law, online gambling is illegal but widespread.

Microsoft will pay us $21 million. Part of this will take the form of a donation to support exploited children. Yahoo has agreed to deposit us $3 million and will fund a us $4.5 million campaign warning its users that anyone participating in online sports gambling is liable to arrest and prosecution. Google has agreed to pay us $3 million.