South Carolina Supreme Court hears arguments on poker; is it a game of skill or chance. The Post And Courier reported that the justice is to hear arguments on the appeal of a local judge’s ruling that Texas Hold’em is a game of skill not of chance. Circuit Judge Markley Dennis ruling means that playing poker in the security of your private home does not violate the state’s anti-gambling laws. Attorney General Henry McMaster is appealing Dennis’ decision.
Dennis decided to overturn the conviction of 5 people who had been arrested when police raided a card game in Mount Pleasant four years ago. The Lawyers for Poker Players Alliance (PPA) adamantly deny that the private residence in which a game of Texas Hold’em was being played was a “house of gaming”. The lower court seemed to agree with the PPA and ruled that Texas Hold’em is more a game of skill therefore does not constitute gambling under state statute.
The (PPA) knows this is an important case to the rights of individuals in the state of South Carolina. They feel it is ludicrous that playing poker in the privacy of ones home would be considered a crime. And that the state’s antiquated laws have created significant ambiguity so that now the Supreme Court has to clarify if the states’ gambling laws are overly vague and can they be used to convict anyone playing poker in their homes.
As this case has moved through the judicial process, it’s encouraging
to see each court rule that poker is indeed a game of skill. To be
clear, the PPA is not advocating gaming in South Carolina and this
case has nothing to do with casinos or video poker.
It is expected to be several months before the justices make a decision
on this case.