Mount Pleasant poker players want case dismissedBy Schuyler Kropf (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
MOUNT PLEASANT — The five Texas Hold'em poker players fighting gambling charges from an April 2006 police raid will make a court appearance Friday. South Carolina's anti-gambling laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable, they contend, and they will ask a municipal judge to dismiss the case outright. Barring a last-minute change of schedule, the action would be the first in months involving the final group of players. If a town judge tosses out the case, the issue could mean a quick victory for the players. If not, the case could go forward for some time. The group wants a jury trial. In April 2006, Mount Pleasant police busted a poker tournament at a Glencoe Street home. The game had been advertised via an Internet "meet-up" site set up specifically to attract poker enthusiasts from around the Lowcountry. Players paid a $20 "buy-in" to join the game, with a percentage of the proceeds going to the house. Poker is considered illegal under a 200-year-old South Carolina law prohibiting games of cards and dice. The group contends that private citizens playing poker inside a private residence does not equate to running a casino. "Playing poker in a private residence no more makes it a 'house of gaming' than serving alcohol in a residence makes it a bar or tavern," their court papers say. |
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Comments
This article has 2 comment(s)
Posted by jbbsc on August 20, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for them! Taking a rake was a bad idea, but I agree that poker is no crime. Poker is a game of skill, that is why many players make a living doing it. Is there luck involved, absolutely. Since times are tough, perhaps we should legalize poker rooms, let the state take it's rake, let people play and SC make the money.
Posted by Perspective on August 20, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Playing poker in a private residence no more makes it a 'house of gaming' than serving alcohol in a residence makes it a bar or tavern," their court papers say.
That is a stupid argument, because if you were charging for the alcohol you would be in hot water. Did they pay a lawyer to make that profound argument. I hope there wasn't a charge for that motion.
I think gambling over cards in your home should be legal, however these people are morons if they think they were not breaking the law. They are admittedly "guilty as charged". They were admittedly/ knowingly participating in an illegal gambling establishment where the house took a cut of the money. That isn't "poker night with the boys". They do not realize that they will be wasting the time of 6 pissed off people on the jury. I hope they get jail time.