Saturday, March 14, 2009
Poker law Launched in S.C. United States
1:58 AM | 
Posted by
coolvision
For 207 years, the United States of America state of S.C. has kept a law against any games using cards or dice, but that could be about to change. The antiquity of the law makes it ineffective in a new era where games and attitudes have changed, and Charleston senator and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell has given notice that he intends to do something about it.
McConnell's solution is a new law that seeks to legalize social gambling and gambling-themed fundraisers, and he has introduced it to allow for gambling in private homes when there is no house profit, and to allow churches and other non-profit organisations to hold "casino night"-style fundraisers that do not involve slot machines, video gambling, or sports betting systems.
McConnell referred to the age of the current law in launching the bill, pointing out that if taken literally, it could outlaw innocuous board games such as Monopoly.
The government should not be in the business of regulating groups of friends gathered to enjoy social and private games, the politician, who is chairman of the state senate's Judiciary Committee, said. He added that updating the ancient law would also give fresh opportunities for charity fundraising in a depressed economy where this was becoming increasingly difficult.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has come out in support of Senator McConnell's drive, claiming S.C. is one of only a few American states that legislates against social and private gaming by its citizens.
However, there may be opposition to the bill; Senator Wes Hayes is concerned about its impact following the protracted differences in the legislature over video poker, which was finally banned in 2000. "It's a delicate balance," said Hayes, noting that he'd rather have outdated laws than open up the possibility of allowing unwanted forms of gambling to be resurrected.
This is not the first time that an attempt has been made to legalize private gaming in S.C. and bring the state into the 21st century; in 2007 a similar law introduced by House Representative Wallace Scarborough was defeated in committee.
Funny enough, S.C. runs a state lottery.
McConnell's solution is a new law that seeks to legalize social gambling and gambling-themed fundraisers, and he has introduced it to allow for gambling in private homes when there is no house profit, and to allow churches and other non-profit organisations to hold "casino night"-style fundraisers that do not involve slot machines, video gambling, or sports betting systems.
McConnell referred to the age of the current law in launching the bill, pointing out that if taken literally, it could outlaw innocuous board games such as Monopoly.
The government should not be in the business of regulating groups of friends gathered to enjoy social and private games, the politician, who is chairman of the state senate's Judiciary Committee, said. He added that updating the ancient law would also give fresh opportunities for charity fundraising in a depressed economy where this was becoming increasingly difficult.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) has come out in support of Senator McConnell's drive, claiming S.C. is one of only a few American states that legislates against social and private gaming by its citizens.
However, there may be opposition to the bill; Senator Wes Hayes is concerned about its impact following the protracted differences in the legislature over video poker, which was finally banned in 2000. "It's a delicate balance," said Hayes, noting that he'd rather have outdated laws than open up the possibility of allowing unwanted forms of gambling to be resurrected.
This is not the first time that an attempt has been made to legalize private gaming in S.C. and bring the state into the 21st century; in 2007 a similar law introduced by House Representative Wallace Scarborough was defeated in committee.
Funny enough, S.C. runs a state lottery.
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