South Carolina Moves Closer To Legalized Poker Gambling

It is a game that is played in almost every town in the US at some point. The poker craze has swept across the nation and in most states that is fine, but in South Carolina, players were unable to gamble at friend's houses on the game of poker.

That is because a 207 year-old- state law prohibits any games with cards or dice. That means no Monopoly, no Sorry, No Chutes and Ladders. Lawmakers are in the process of trying to change that law.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would change the state's gambling laws. The plan is being discussed in the Senate but would likely not be passed before the end of the session, which is in five days.

"This is a law that needs to be changed," said resident Barry Hooper, "People should not have to fear criminal discipline if they decide they want to play board games with their friends."

The bigger issue for the new law, should it be approved, is poker. Under the law, people would be able to play Texas Hold 'em or any other poker game amongst friends from money, as long as the house does not take a percentage of the monies wagered or won.

"We don't want our police officers busting down people's doors, of family and friends who are playing Rummy or nickel poker or strip poker," said Senator Jake Knotts, "This is to separate the criminal gambler from a person who just wants to play cards with some friends."

May 12, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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