Do you think poker should be legalized in South Carolina?

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on April 7, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How stupid to think a card game would be illigle anyway.

Posted by bigwhip on April 7, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone realize the amount of time that was wasted by the police on this poker game? This is an absolute tax payer abomination.

Posted by orvinc on April 7, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I realize this is in regards to a friendly poker night which is fine by me because the state does not need to live your house. I have been teaching down in Louisiana now for a year where river boat casinos are legal. The mind set of low income children is that the only way to make money is to gamble. They don't need cards or dice, but they will find a way to bet their money away. Where else do you think they get this idea from...Their Parents! Now, don't get me wrong I see my self as a Conservative Libertarian, but if South Carolina wants to rank below Louisiana go ahead and legalize gambling.

Posted by baltimoreraven on April 7, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i voted yes but this is pertaining to poker should be legal. i dont belive poker games who hosts take rakes should be legal. this would be an underground business with the hosts making $1000's a month and these people should be punished fully

Posted by scrisn on April 7, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have played at houses in SC for a few years. I have never had a rake, but have heard of $5.00 toward the house as a donation for electric, cleaning etc.. I have no problem with that, and yes I horned my skills playing at games like this and last year in Biloxi made $46k in a WPT event. So practice does make perfect. Sorry I cant afford to fly/drive to Vegas, Atlantic city, Biloxi, Foxwoods, California, ETC to play weekly in games. But my 20-50 bucks weekly paid off.

Posted by theronce on April 7, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is it moral to profit from sin?

Posted by scoot5110 on April 7, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's wrong with playing a little poker in your own home? I think that the "big problem" is that the state isn't getting a cut from the games!

Posted by baltimoreraven on April 7, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mouth of the south you are a hyprocrite saying gambling is a sin and anyone who plays is a fool. why not read the bible before acting like a prophet and realize that no man shall pass judgement on another man and also no man shall call anyone a fool. that is 100000 times worse then playing poker.

Posted by acharlestongirl on April 8, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The issue to me is that the time of these officers investigating these poker games for the past 5 months could have been better spent investigating the rising MURDER rate, assault or drug trade. I agree with a previous poster this was a huge misuse of our taxpayer dollars. Illegal yes and yes they have a duty to uphold the law, but to spend this kind of time on this kind of crime is ludicrous.

Posted by my2cents on April 8, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The hypocracy in this state is unbelievable! They do away with video gambling, but usher in a state lottery. They take an almost Orwellian approach to citizens playing parlor games for a few untaxed dollars, but have no problem giving away millions of dollars in tax incentives to any company or industry that takes a shine to the state.

We rank near the bottom of every list from education,earnings and infrastructure but are still overly concerned about somebody making a few dollars in a pick-up poker game. I believe it is about time we start to be known for something other than our friendliness, charm and history. How about being known for things like; forward thinking, progress, cutting edge, highest earnings, best schools, lowest crime rate and over-achievement?

For all of the people that were commenting about "the law is the law" - aren't we the same state that until a few years ago had a law that made it illegal for people of mixed races to marry? Just because we have some law on the books that has been there for 200 years doesn't mean it is right. If you do not question authority and demand the most from your elected official and public servants; you are doomed to be controlled by them. let's Stop being sheep and apapthetic. Let's start taking control of our lives and demand that our government and law enforcement stop wasting time on minor issues like card games and start doing something about those big issues like the murder/crime rate and improving our education system.

Speak up people!!!!

Posted by lisagary on April 8, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Absolutely it should be legalized, same as legal casino gambling. And all winnings should be taxed and reportable exactly as legal gambling winnings are.

Posted by kerwin1959 on April 8, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

1)I personally don't oppose gambling, but I am not a gambling addict and I don't know anyone who is.

2)I have a friend who is from The Netherlands - people criticize them for being so "forward" thinking. The truth is, they spent $millions trying to fight sex, drugs, alcohol & gambling and had little effect. So what did they do? They legalized and regulated it. Guess what? Less problems, more income for the country. It may be liberal, but it has actually helped eradicate the scum who were previously associated with these vices. Also, the drinking age there is 16 and the driving age is 18. Teenagers are taught how to socially drink with their parents at home and in restaurants, instead of obtaining it illegally and binge drinking. Maybe they're not too liberal, just very realistic.

3)I'd like to see the crime rates, education rankings, amenities, quality of life rankings, etc., for states that have legalized gambling.

4)While I see the writer's point about the gambling in Louisiana, they have many more problems that are coupled with gambling --- including a corrupt government and a system which continues to enable people who don't want to work.

5)I like PluffMud's comment. Well said.

P.S. I'd like to see the how much money and time was spent with the man hours, investigative time, etc. so that we would know people were playing poker. With the crime rate as high as it is this year and the number of unsolved crimes, it seems law enforcement officials should have concentrated on THOSE issues.

Posted by ssullivan1 on April 8, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Huge waste of law enforcements resources and dollars

Posted by Zipper1st on April 8, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are many important matters that we need to devote our attention to. Gambling is NOT one of them. As a Christian, if the Bible doesn't specifically rule against it, then everyone is free to make their own decisions. We also have a Constitution ( although it seems almost no one has bothered to read it ) in this great country and it says NOTHING about the Government interfering in any manner in such a situation. Too many folks are caught up in the thought that as a Democracy, we need to control all kinds of activities that may offend our personal sensibilities. Well, back up a step or two and take another look. We are NOT a Democracy; we are a Constitutional Republic, regardless of what our current president ( yeah, it's a small "p" ) and his wife think. Yes they have both called our form of government a Democracy. Like most Politicians, they believe that telling a lie often enough will eventually get us SHEEPLE to believe it. Hogwash. And, by the way, am I the only one wondering what those planes are spraying on us every day ? And NO !!! it is NOT vapor trails. Funny how the media won't touch this issue. And you STILL think this gambling nonsense is important ?? Not if you are over the age of 50, you don't.

Posted by Chancellor on April 8, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Zipper...are you serious about the planes?? You sum up your argument by stating that the planes are spraying something on us?? That is hilarious.

Posted by 007 on April 8, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.homepokergames.com/southcarol...

I googled poker in South Carolina and found this site. Too bad crack houses don't advertise like this.

Posted by Zipper1st on April 8, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, Mr. Chanceller, I was just yanking your chain. I'm sure that the constant flights daily dumping tons of stuff into the atmosphere is just a figment of my imagination. But just in case I actually have a reason to be paranoid, you might try googling "Chem-trails" and spend a little time. I'm sure it was just a bad dream where a good friend in Indiana was coated with a ( apparently badly mixed batch )cobwebby material that caused his collapse and his dying three times in 12 hours and a coma for 9 days. Amazingly the stuff he captured ( and still has ) can not be analyzed because every lab who hears his story hastily exits him stage left. Just my wild imagination, I'm sure. I have no idea what got into me, even mentioning something so Ludicrous, but then are you willing to bet the only life you have that I'm nuts ?

Posted by commonone on April 8, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And the State is crying about being broke? This is exactly just what the public needed to see.Prime example 10 months & how many man hours? Only to collect $100 fine for each involved? WOW!"GREAT DETECTIVE WORK!!"Anyone who would approve spending that much of "OUR" tax money on such BS should be fired!

Posted by downtownsurvivor on April 8, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If this is legalized they should also consider this stupid 2:00 am curfew!

Posted by JMHO on April 8, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is all about collecting money for the Police and the way to do it today is to seize property and money any way they can. Why the masks and suits?? The police need to work on real crime of which we are not in shortage of, violent crime!! Better keep an attorney at hand you just might need one here in Charleston SC.

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on April 8, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK...here it is...Charleston has one of the highest murder and crime rates for its size...and our men and woman in blue have NOTHING better to do than work on a poker game. give me a freaking break. If it were not for the Baptist we would have nice casinos...this is just about a waste of my tax $$$...if people choose to gamble...and I go to Vegas twice a year...its their money.

Posted by lillycollette on April 9, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the legislature intends to change this law, they will have to produce better than the garbage posted on this article to justify the change.

Posted by katrenavantassle on April 9, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People have been gambling with card games in Charleston for a long time. What happens lately is these "friendly card games" are charging fees for the house, and some even advertise on the internet to get customers....that is so stupid. And the bottom line is that it IS ILLEGAL IN South Carolina. Thats all. No questions asked or taken. I also agree that this is just another example of how the police captain in charge should be fired for misuse of taxpayers money.
NO WONDER SC'S POLICE DEPTS ARE IN NATIONAL SCRUTINY NOW. THE STATE TROOPERS CHASING DOWN A SUSPECT AND BRAGGING ON HITTING HIM SHOWS HOW ILLITERATE SOME OFFICERS ARE. DOES THIS MAN STILL HAS A JOB??? I HOPE NOT!
THANK GOD THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR!! GET THE OLD FOLKS WHO STILL LIVE BY THE OLD LAWS OUT OF THEIR OFFICES AND GET SOME PEOPLE WITH MODERN VIEWS AND BRAINS IN OFFICE NOW. ITS ABOUT TIME SOUTH CAROLINA MOVED INTO THE CURRENT CENTURY. LETS BURY THE OLD WAYS DEEP!!!

Posted by saltlyck on April 9, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't see any differences between gambling and drugs as far as addiction, cost, ruined family lives, and profitability. The laws making this illegal only benefit criminal entities and of course law enforcement.

Posted by scooter on April 9, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How much more do the citizens of SC have to take? We can GAMBLE OUR MONEY with the LOTTERY, but we can not with cards? Come on SC, get with the times. This is just another STUPID part of this state's laws that need to be fixed rather than spending time voting in more!!!

Posted by BigSargeofSC on April 9, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I say lets make gambling legal for everyone. After all, don't the benefits out weight the destruction? Why should we be concerned that there will be an increase in gambling addiction? Who wants to worry about the lose in state tax money that will be lost because people will be spending the excess income (assuming its excess income they have) on card games? No matter that families will get ripped apart because someone is feeling so desperate for money that they gamble away what money they have in hopes of hitting the "Big One". I'm sure that our law enforcement personnel will be than able to handle the increase in armed robbery and theft that will come along with casinos. Of course, our fine elected officals wont be tempted at all by kick-bakcs and pay-offs for looking the other way. Certainly, nothing like that would ever happen in state.

If you have not figured it out yet, setting aside all the religous arguments, there is nothing good or decent that will come to this state when you make gambling legal. When South Carolina started the lottery, they experienced the same problem as every other state: loss of tax revenue. If you take a close, open-minded look into what gambling will bring to this state, there is no reasonable way you can say that gambling should be legal.

Posted by rbs29406 on April 9, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gambling,prostitution,drugs are vices to some an not to others. Control,regulation,taxation is the answer. This would reduce the the tax stress off the taxpayer an turn lost profits into usable programs.Human nature cannot be changed!! look at our prisons an jails.

Posted by little_green_person on April 9, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll have to change my name to little blue person because it looks like I'll go blue in the face saying it....

STOP TRYING TO LEGISLATE PERSONAL MORALITY.

I don't have the right to tell you what to do.

You don't have the right to tell me what to do.

Freedom is so very terrifying to some people. Someone might get hurt. Oh, how scary. It probably would be better to live in a padded cell...maybe with a motorcycle helmet...just in case. Maybe we could all be fed some healthy sort of baby food and do exercises to keep in shape...Crime would go WAY down. So would STDS and unplanned pregnancies. Oh, and definitely no secondhand smoke. Think what healthy, positive examples we would be setting...

We could still let the Uncle Sam and his helpers tote guns and yell at us if we got a little out of line.

I can't help wondering if any of the people so eager to take away personal choices in the name of "what's best" have followed any of their positions to the logical conclusions. Because here's one logical conclusion they should know:

If you folks ever feel the need to "help me make good choices" BE READY TO KILL ME. I mean it. DEAD. Because I will NEVER submit to tyranny under any name alive.

Are these people really ready to go there? I think we all deserve to know just how far Uncle Sam is willing to take legislation of personal choices.

Posted by lexylady on April 9, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know what is being sprayed on us by all the planes... It's ground up bull s**t from our brilliant government.

Posted by jimmy1370 on April 9, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Exactly who were the police protecting here? I'm not quite sure why some are opposed to gambling. What rights of yours are they violating by doing this?