Illegal Gambling Conviction In South Carolina Overturned

Gambling News - October 7th, 2009 - Written by Glen

Five men were arrested for illegal gambling in South Carolina when authorities discovered that they were playing a game of poker. In South Carolina, an archaic law makes it illegal for most games involving dice or cards to be played, punishing offenders with imprisonment and fines. A victory came early in October when the courts ruled that poker, one of the most commonly played card games, is a game of skill, rather than a game of chance. While this may not immediately show benefit other than the charges against several South Carolina residents are dropped, the true implications of this decision will run deep.

One of the largest inhibitions against online gambling, particularly Online Poker, is that the games are that of chance, rather than skill. Now that both South Carolina's courts and Pennsylvania's courts have ruled in favor of poker being a game of skill, legislation making online poker a regulated and legal industry may have an easier time moving forward. Bills from Representative Frank and Senator Menendez are both in the works at legalizing online gambling, or at the very least online poker, and this recent victory in the courts may help their struggle with the UIGEA.

South Carolina is considered one of the most strict states pertaining to gambling laws, making this recent victory a great stride in the right direction. The Poker Players Alliance celebrating the victory as a significant milestone, particularly when the UIGEA is so close to inhibiting online gambling further.

"All poker players are well aware that the game is based on making the correct, informed decisions, not just mere chance, and games of predominant skill should not be classified in the same league as slot machines or lotteries," said John Ridgeway, South Carolina's State Director of the Poker Players Alliance, in a press release following the decision. "We're very pleased that the judge considered the overwhelming evidence and came to the same conclusion."

To support the move for online gambling, the Poker Players Alliance has created www.PokerPetition.com, allowing anyone who so desires to sign a petition that will be submitted to President Obama. With this recent court decision and many others just like it, we may see regulated poker before too long.

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