Defendants in gambling sting determined to go to trial
Poker players still waiting
By Schuyler Kropf
MOUNT PLEASANT — Almost two years after a poker game was broken up by Mount Pleasant police, some of the more vocal members of the group still haven't resolved their cases.
One of the players contends the delay is because town officials don't want the spectacle of a jury trial, in which he plans to defend the game of poker against what he calls South Carolina's outdated anti-gambling laws.
"Mount Pleasant, they don't want to be the stepping stone into changing this," said Bob Chimento, the unofficial spokesman for the group.
Town Attorney Ira Grossman, however, contends the delay is not out of the ordinary. About two-thirds of those ticketed that night have been dealt with in municipal court pleas, he said, adding that prosecutions take time, especially when many of the defendants don't have lawyers.
Of the cases that have cleared the court docket, some paid gambling ticket fines of as little as $100.
In April 2006, police busted a Texas Hold 'Em tournament at a Glencoe Street home they'd been watching for some time. Fifteen to 20 vehicles were visiting several days a week before the raid, authorities said.
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.
Only about eight of the approximately 24 people involved lived in Mount Pleasant. The others hailed from Charleston, James Island, Summerville, Hanahan and North Charleston, police said.
Authorities seized nearly $6,000 and a small quantity of drugs.
Chimento said the five remaining members of his players' group "are bound and determined to go to trial on this," no matter how long it takes. They are getting help and advice from lawyers from other parts of the country who are pro-poker advocates, he said.
Boosted by the national craze, multiple efforts have surfaced in South Carolina in the past few years to legalize poker, which is illegal under a 200-year-old law that prohibits dice and card games.
The most recent pro-poker defeat in the Statehouse came in just the past few days, when a bill that would let nonprofits hold poker games was killed in committee.
Grossman last week said he could not comment directly on any single case. But he noted the majority of the prosecutions from the poker raid have been settled.
"Driving under the influence and criminal domestic violence are the top priorities in municipal court," he said. "They always come first."
He added: "I'll decide if it's worth the taxpayers' expense to go forward on these few left who were given a ticket for gambling."
Reach Schuyler Kropf at skropf @postandcourier.com or 937-5551.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly versionComments
theronce (anonymous) says...
Does anyone really think that the legislature will allow anything to cut into their cash-cow, the lottery. Don't hold your breath.
March 10, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
highclass (anonymous) says...
Another group of Mt. P people thinking that they are above the law. The rules are the rules follow them. Cry babies.
March 10, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
I hope I get called for this jury because I will rule not guilty. It is a joke that Mt. P is even going to spend tax payer money for a jury trial over a $20 buy in poker game.
March 10, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
5thGenerationLocal (anonymous) says...
I serioulsy cannot believe that this is still going on. While I love MtP, they really need to let this go. There are many more serious issues out there to worry about instead of a poker game.
BTW, if this law was taken as it is written, there would be no Monopoly, no UNO, no nothing. Cards and dice are basically illegal.
March 10, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
highclass, the gamblers were from all over. You are constantly bashing Mt. Pleasant residents for no apparent reason. Stop the stereotyping.
The only reason the government gets upset over these poker games is because they are not getting their cut.
Games like this have been going on in people's homes for centuries, so what's the big deal?
Gambling is gambling. no matter what the stakes are.
March 10, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Oh no, I guess we broke the law in my house Sat. night. We had a wild poker game with about a hundred pennies changing hands. Will the 11 yr. olds be charged as adults? Will I be charged as an accessory? Maybe contributing to the delinquency of a minor? I think I'll ring up a lawyer before they come and haul us off....
March 10, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LOL@forget. My brother used to play penny poker with me when I was little. He cleaned out my piggy bank, the creep.
March 10, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigwhip (anonymous) says...
I'm betting that on any given weekend there are two dozen or more poker games going on in Mt. Pleasant. This is not about the gambling or state law. This is about an over zealous police department. The police could have gone over there and told the home owner to shut it down or else. It would have gone away and all this negative press with it.
March 10, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
Cold Beer,
If a jury feels a law is unjust they can rule against it. As the law is written every memeber sitting on that jury hhas more than likely at one time viloated the law. Since the law bands games of monopoly, go fish, old maid and uno.
March 10, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Oh no, not monopoly too!. How about Scrabble????
March 10, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
onedeep (anonymous) says...
Actually, that is not entirely true, ColdBeer.
All juries in the nation have the ability to say that while a law was broken, it is an unfair law, and should be overturned. It is called "jury nullification." Judges and lawyers usually do not mention it, but it is a right that every jury has.
I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it now, and especially if you ever serve on a jury.
March 10, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
I wonder if the police are getting ready to bust all of those "March Madness" pools that will be starting next week?
March 10, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
So when I talked to a Sled agent in Columbia last week and asked him about poker machines-his attitude was well, there everywhere and we get what we can. We have a warehouse full of them you wouldn't believe. My point is, the police are busting poker parties and the poker machines are still all over the place. Every private bar in Goose Creek has them. Maybe if these guys would literally pay some cops off, they would to fly under the radar. Same for Pappy's in Hanahan, you need to PAY to play. As for myself, I am serious about opening a bar up and put machines in it, why not, it's not like I would be busted. Ask the old good ole boys in G.C..
March 10, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
I am all for jury nullification of crappy arcane laws that stranglehold peaceful people. I would be proud to participate in a law nullifying jury to say "not guilty" in cases like this. Peaceful assemblies of people in homes should not be raided. Save your SWAT home raids for arresting kidnappers, bank robbers, thieves, and murderers.
March 10, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
So when I talked to a Sled agent in Columbia last week and asked him about poker machines-his attitude was well, there everywhere and we get what we can. We have a warehouse full of them you wouldn't believe. My point is, the police are busting poker parties and the poker machines are still all over the place. Every private bar in Goose Creek has them. Maybe if these guys would literally pay some cops off, they would to fly under the radar. Same for Pappy's in Hanahan, you need to PAY to play. As for myself, I am serious about opening a bar up and put machines in it, why not, it's not like I would be busted. Ask the old good ole boys in G.C..
March 10, 2008 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
You can't hold a private high stakes card game without a lic. The state will not get their share and no one will issue the 1099 form if the winnings are over $600.00.
The game was also at a residence which is not zoned for commerical use.
The dealers at the game were more than likely not union members so the national gaming standards were not being done.
March 10, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
I am glad that all of the other crime in Mount Pleasant has been solved and that they can devote their manpower to victimless crimes. I wonder if some of the officers who were put on this case (and stakeout) had been doing something different like talking to kids from Wando if the jails might have a few less people in them today.
The laws in this state need to be changed. A poker game in anyone's house is nobody's business unless it becomes a business, which there are laws to address that already. A poker game hurts people just as much as a game of Monopoly or Dungeons and Dragons.
Also, a poker tournament played for charity does not hurt anyone and SLED's intervention to make sure that did not happen was silly as well. Like I said, I am really happy that all of the other crime that occurs in this state that has people getting victimized either physically or financially has been eliminated and we can worry about people playing cards.
March 10, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
In April 2006, police busted a Texas Hold 'Em tournament at a Glencoe Street home they'd been watching for some time. Fifteen to 20 vehicles were visiting several days a week before the raid, authorities said.
Chances are the neighbors were complaining about the number of cars on the street several times a week. This was probably what started the whole investigation.
March 10, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captivated (anonymous) says...
So, does this mean I can't play Poker Deluxe on Direct TV anymore? Will they be closing down the Bingo parlor on Dorchester road? Will big brother ever stop meddling in everyone's personal life? Anybody wanna BET?
March 10, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
georgebushsux (anonymous) says...
Another example of how much they waste our tax payers dollars! How many hour$ did the cops watch this particular house before they raided the game? How many hour$ has the local law enforcement, laywers , and administration folks spent on this? I wonder how many of them beat the drums about being fiscally responsible with our dollars.
A 200 year old law? You can't gamble with cards or dice but please folks run on down to your local store and buy as many lottery tickets?
Just another example of the typical hypocrites of South Kakalakey
March 10, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
devster (anonymous) says...
highclass said: "Another group of Mt. P people thinking that they are above the law. The rules are the rules follow them. Cry babies."
I don't think the accused believe that they are above the law; they believe that they have the right to a jury trial just like anyone else. You are allowed to defend yourself.
March 10, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
algorelost (anonymous) says...
Did Mt P ever solve the case of the female pharmacist who was shot? They must have if they have time for this.
March 10, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
candygirl (anonymous) says...
"Illegal Gambling" is "Illegal Gambling"
Why should the law apply to some and not others?
" Bet more than poker was going on "
March 10, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flinsc (anonymous) says...
They aren't getting tax money from the poker games. That is what it boils down to. That is why internet poker is not allowed. The government said that the internet poker provides ways for terrorist funding. What a joke. Betting on horses is allowed online. Why? Because it can be taxed. In everything involving the government, follow the money. There is a reason this state has horrible employment and is still in the 1800's. At 1 point Charleston was the 4th largest city. Too many good ole boys running things. This state is getting left behind in a lot of things. Worry about education, crime, and devolvement. Who cares when a bunch of people are playing poker. Wake up old timers
March 10, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justjerry (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer, I was referring to the poker tournament that Richard Todd had arranged and was to be at the North Charleston Convention Center. It was a very successful event the year before and raised a large amount for charity. When they began to set it up for a second time SLED informed the Coliseum and Performing Arts Center that if there was "gambling" (there was no money to be won, just token prizes) that they would pull the liquor permits for all events for violating the gaming laws.
March 10, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mdtpace (anonymous) says...
I saw the Mt Pleasant PD "SWAT" team at Moe's eating lunch the other day and I have been trying to figure out why MT P even needs a SWAT team instead of just using the Sheriff's SWAT team if the need arises. I guess they need it to bust up these dangerous poker games. Important work they are doing, policing neighborhood poker games. They should get a armored personnel carrier in case someone won't open the door next time.
March 10, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
mdtpace, we need the SWAT team because of people like my neighbor. She causes such hate and discontent that a riot is going to break out soon. She sees one child in her yard...call the police. One loose dog...call the police.
One firecracker goes off...call the police. :)
March 10, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BUSCH2003 (anonymous) says...
If South Carolina (or Mt Pleasant), is prosecuting those who play cards under a 200 year old law, they are selective in choosing their defendents. How often have they chosen to prosecute Bridge players and other card games carried out at the local country clubs through out the low country.
If you're rich enough to belong to the country club or the social elite, you don't have to worry about being prosecuted. Let the working class populist try to have some of the popular entertainment craze of the day and you throw them in jail.
Have you done a sweep of the local firehouse or police station or their convention sites recently to ensure they are following the letter and spirit of the law.
April 3, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Image questions for The Citadel
- Sunning alligator nips trail walker
- Man killed, two others injured in Mt. Pleasant
- New place to play planned for Folly
- German firm to open area factory
- New Church Spire
- Logistics company to add 500 jobs in Berkeley County in next five years
- Defying expectations
- Energy initiative to expand
- Protesters coming here
