South Carolina Bill To Legalize Private Poker Games
State Rep. Glenn McConnel recently confirmed that an 1802 law needs a common sense overhaul. The law bans playing of "any game with cards or dice", which if read literally would also include games such as Sorry! or Monopoly.
During the South Carolina trial, Municipal Judge J. Lawrence Duffy already expressed
difficulty in knowing how to interpret an 1802 law that he said had not
been adequately defined.
As America continues its poker and
gambling debate, a 207 year old bill in the State of Carolina that
outlaws all card and dice games will be updated by Senator Glen
McConnell. The bill he hopes to pass will legalise home poker games
and events held for charity (as well as over turning a bizarre law
that outlaws board games such as Monopoly.
State Rep. Glenn McConnel recently confirmed that this legal relic
needs a common sense overhaul, accordingly he has introduced a bill to
legalize "social gambling" (such as home poker games) and events held
for charity.
"It was written in another time, and government has no business
micromanaging people's lives and the choice they make on the games that
entertain them," said McConnel.
What this bill proposes is a creation of "an affirmative defence" from prosecution when the gambling is done in a private home, as long as "no house player bank or house odds exist, and where there is no house income from the operation of the game."
This means that even if it was already in effect, the bill wouldn't
change the verdict in the South Carolina trial since the defendants
took a rake from the game.
The bill also permits non-profit religious, fraternal or similar
charities to run "casino night" fund-raising events. However, the games
would have to be of a limited duration where wagers are made on
gambling activities. The bill prohibits events done with
slot machines, electronic video-gaming machines or wagering tied to
live sports events, including horse races.
This isn’t the first time that such
legislation has tried to be passed, indeed a recent attempt failed
when Upstate conservatives killed it in a committee. Even with the
backing of the powerful Judiciary Committee chairman, the bill faces
tough odds in the Legislature.
Related news:
- South Carolina Judge: Poker Is A Game Of Skill
- South Carolina Judge Finds Defendants Guilty
- UIGEA: Justice Department Denies Additional Information
