A court in Kentucky has ruled that the state can seize the URLs of 141 internet gambling sites to "protect its citizens from harm".

The court ruled that the state had the right to seize the URLs because state laws forbid internet gambling. Sites affected include Caribbeangold.com and Sportsbook.com.

"Unlicensed, unregulated, illegal internet gambling poses a tremendous threat to the citizens of the Commonwealth because of its ease, availability and anonymity," said Kentucky governor Steve Beshear.

"The owners and operators of these illegal sites prey on Kentucky citizens, including our youth, and deprive the Commonwealth of millions of dollars in revenue. It is an underworld wrought with scams and schemes."

The domain name registrars of the affected sites will now be asked formally for control of the URLs to be handed over at a separate hearing on Thursday.

"Governor Beshear has once again demonstrated that he is willing to take bold and innovative steps to protect Kentuckians and Kentucky's legitimate businesses," said justice and public safety secretary J. Michael Brown.

"Illegal internet gambling poses a unique threat to our Commonwealth. For individuals, particularly our youth, it is tantamount to a virtual home invasion.

"For some of our vital and most venerable legitimate enterprises, it undermines their exemplary regulatory compliance and siphons away their constituents."

Brown acknowledged that some of the sites had blocked Kentucky internet users from accessing the sites, and that the loss of the URLS would shut down operations worldwide, but said his first duty was to the citizens of his state.

The ruling could have a major impact on internet commerce if individual states pass laws against specific activities that are not banned in other parts of the world.