Outhouses, poker laws outdated
By Brian Hicks
If you think our state's gaming laws are ridiculous, just wait until you read them.
That's what happened Monday at the North Charleston public hearing about proposed changes to the law. An attorney actually read one of the statutes aloud and it's, well, jaw-dropping stupid.
Basically, the law that local police use to bust up poker games in private homes says you can't play any game that uses cards or dice in a variety of places, including your barn, stable, kitchen ... "or other outhouse."
In other words, our state's anti-gaming law was written before there were kitchens in houses.
You know, it's hard to build a bridge to the 21st century when you start in the 19th. But that's where we are, and it's probably not going to change anytime soon. This state is so slow to catch up with modern times, the Legislature only last year designated "Frampton Comes Alive!" as the official State Eight-Track Tape.
Sens. Glenn McConnell, Robert Ford and Jake Knotts are among those level-headed legislators trying to make kitchen-table poker legal, but they admit the Greenville Bible Belt will likely have a moral objection.
It's funny. Many people around here believe the government should stay out of their lives — but have no qualms about siccing them on someone else.
Lock the door?
Right now, McConnell is pushing two pieces of legislation to modernize the state. One would overturn the "outhouse" anti-gaming law; the other calls for a constitutional amendment to allow churches and charities to charge for raffle tickets.
FILE/STAFF
In remarks that should win the Oscar for most honest remarks by a politician, McConnell asked Monday, "Why should the state have the monopoly?"
Amen.
That point really takes the wind out of the sails of those who oppose gambling.
On Monday, gambling opponents said legalizing raffles and kitchen-table poker could be a back door to casinos. Well, here's a news flash: there already is gambling in South Carolina. A casino boat sails daily out of Little River, the Catawbas had a bingo hall for years, and the state of South Carolina Education Lottery is the biggest numbers game in town.
Come to think of it, why would a casino be such a bad idea?
Don't like it? Don't play
Doug Walker, an associate professor of economics at the College of Charleston, has studied casinos extensively, from the economic and social angles, and can give you all the arguments for and against. It is, as he says, complicated.
In favor of the casinos, you have increased state revenue, more jobs and, he notes, the option for consumers. The negative: some people have a moral opposition, and a small percentage of people could develop gambling problems.
"My view is the pros probably outweigh the cons," Walker says.
A few years ago, Connecticut was raking in $350 million a year from Foxwoods slots. Our budget shortfall isn't much bigger than that. As for the morals, well, let's just outlaw beer, cigarettes and soap operas. After all, some people get hooked on them. What about the personal responsibility some of these same people preach?
Fact is, the Catawbas ought to be allowed to open a full casino at Interstate 95 and Interstate 26. It would bring jobs to the most depressed area of the state, give South Carolina more revenue and increase tourism dramatically.
But that's a fight for another day. First, we probably ought to bring the state into the age of the indoor kitchen.
Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com. To read previous columns, go to postandcourier.com/hicks/.
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Comments
postman01 (anonymous) says...
This is the first article I have read by Brian Hicks that is actually intelligent and correct. This raises the question of why he is so dysfunctional on all other topics on which he has written to my knowledge.
March 25, 2009 at 5:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
I have absolutely nothing against gambling, but the laws need to be changed prior to everyone breaking them. SC would be wise to address lower education,car emissions and job creation as adamantly as this issue.
March 25, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stoney1 (anonymous) says...
It is time that South Carolina emerge from the dark ages and do away with these atiquated laws that remain on the books due to the ignorances of our prior lawmakers. There are too many benefits that are available in regards to the world of gambling and as a citizen I enjoy taking a few hours to enjoy this type of entertainment. To not be allowed to play a little poker among friends whether its for chips or pennies is rediculas that the state has the right to use Gestapo tactics to arrest those that participate. This is one person that hopes sometime in the future South Carolina will realize the benefits of legalizing gambling casinos that can bring houndreds of millions of needed dollars to the coffers and wipe out our short falls in budgetary expenses.
March 25, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jselsey1 (anonymous) says...
Let the people live.A mans home is his castle.If a man wants to play poker with friends play and enjoy,if next week they want to play at Bob's house that is his castle.Leave the people alone.If the law gets involved in a game of friendly poker then can we call our society free any longer.I was born raised here in Charleston, South Carolina.Are we backward? I hate to say it yes we are.You cannot put your vehicle in reverse as quick as we are moving backward in this state.Time for new laws to try and catch up.Sens.McConnell,Ford,and Knotts press on.If truthbe known, The Bible belt probably has deacons at the table as Chas.Cola.or anyother town or city in our state.
March 25, 2009 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mrernurse47 (anonymous) says...
i was born and raised south carolina all my life,and am a true southern bible belt southern baptist,,,,but i do love my penny poker nights with friends...never been to jail,hold a good job and i am a family man...whats the harm???i guess,,according to the laws on the books,,,not seperating church from state,,i am going to hell....lets the chips fall where they may......
March 25, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Penny poker is all that we will be able to play after the Obamessiah gets through with us...he'll probably try to tax that too!
March 25, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
I didn't know we couldn't play cards in an outhouse...uh o!
March 25, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whalernut (anonymous) says...
Frampton comes alive.
WOO HO!
Anybody got that eight track?
March 25, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Sark (anonymous) says...
Thanks you Mr Hicks for actually standing up for having casinos. People are always saying that casino's will somehow magically make crime rates spike, but there's never any actual evidence presented. Just look at Vegas. It's the 56th most dangerous city in America. Nothing to be proud of, but keep in mind that includes the depressed non-tourist areas of Vegas. Meanwhile, North Charleston (without any legal casinos, sits at 10th). It seems to make far more sense that there's a great correlation between poverty and crime than legal gambling and crime. Frankly, I've always thought that the hotel in the old citadel looking across Marion Sq would make an excellent, very classy Monte Carlo style casino.
March 25, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CarolinaGambler (anonymous) says...
It's time that South Carolina get these old laws off the books . We have turned into the laughing stock of the nation in the online poker and gambling circles.
March 25, 2009 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Excellent article ! My parents and grandparents played "penny poker" together every night, all summer long. It was good fun for the adults and no harm was done.
"Basically, the law that local police use to bust up poker games in private homes says you can't play any game that uses cards or dice in a variety of places, including your barn, stable, kitchen ... "
So I was correct the other day ? Does it not matter whether money/goods are exchanged? Just flat out no cards or dice? Wow. This has got to change.
March 25, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LEOSC (anonymous) says...
NOOOO!!!
Just kidding. Please legalize this crap. I hate getting calls for service almost nightly for "subjects gambling on street corners."
Who doesn't like throwing a Lincoln on a weekly game of poker?
Even better, now we'll get to watch even more gambling addiction TV ads!
March 28, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
So the state's Monopoly doesn't use dice...
March 28, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LEOSC (anonymous) says...
the state's Monopoly boards use state-funded dice... that's different!
March 29, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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