If there is anything
that holds promise or gives a breath of hope to the
legalization of online gambling in the U.S., it is
the recent news that South Carolina has legalized
poker as a recreational activity. A big shocker to
say the least, South Carolina's State Senate voted
12-8 in favor of a new bill serving to replace
200-year old legislation hardly needing to be
classified as outdated and untimely.
As much as a surprise
the voting was, it couldn't be compared to the
excitement and elation shared by members of the
Poker Players Association (PPA), especially those of
the South Carolina chapter, who urged the South
Carolina Senate in a press release to bring the
legislation to the floor for vote with just five
days left in the session. South Carolina's PPA
Director, John Ridgeway, was on record saying the
days of illegal kitchen poker games will soon be no
more.
It was just three
years ago when five friends playing a poker at home,
were raided and arrested by police. Perhaps some
vindication is also on the way for the arrested
parties, who were later found guilty by a judge
stating there was no clear definition in South
Carolina's gambling legislature as to whether or not
games of skill were to be considered gambling
activities.
Now, poker players
need not worry closing the window blinds or
gathering down in the basement to get their poker
fix. As stated in the new legislature, so long as
their is no House Odds imposed or a House bank
receiving any part of wagered stakes, the poker
activity is classified as "social" and cannot be
deemed unlawful. Just how far reaching this law has
in the world of online poker is open to
interpretation. Could it be that five friends all
gather together under one roof, log onto their
favorite online poker room and get their own private
table going? Maybe so. Maybe not.
One thing is certain.
Poker players in South Carolina will be feeling more
confident wagering on the internet at online casinos
and poker rooms still doing business with U.S.
customers.
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