S.C. SUPREME COURT PRESERVES PALMETTO STATE’S GAMBLING MONOPOLY
The S.C. Supreme Court has overturned a pro-gambling appeals court ruling – reinstating convictions against the defendants in the case and conclusively slamming the door on yet another form of private sector gaming.
Relying on an antiquated pre-Civil War statute, the court held that card games are unconstitutional – not because they are games of skill (as opposed to games of chance) but because something of value is at stake in the outcome.
“Whether an activity is gaming/gambling is not dependent upon the relative roles of chance and skill, but whether there is money or something of value wagered on the game’s outcome,” the court’s majority opinion stated.
Um … and what about those Powerball tickets? Is there not a record-sized jackpot out there just waiting to be won?
Yeah …
So … how’d we get here?
Originally, a local magistrate found the defendants guilty of misdemeanor gambling charges for playing Texas Hold ‘Em in a private residence. However, an appeals court overturned the convictions after the defense argued that Texas Hold ‘Em is a game of skill, not chance.
(Actually, it’s both).
Not about to let the private sector encroach on government’s gambling monopoly, S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal and a majority of her colleagues on the Supreme Court stepped in and reversed the appellate ruling – making sure the state remains the only game in town.
Literally.
Is anybody really surprised by this ruling? After all, this is the same court that stripped voters of their right to decide whether video poker should be legalized over a decade ago.
In South Carolina it’s okay to gamble – so long as government runs the racket (above or below boards).
And it’s not just the Supremes, either … S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley is a hypocrite on this issue, too.
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5 comments
This state is so fucked up! It just gets better and better! Politicians keep their hands in the “minions” pockets and tell us how and where we can spend whats left of our money that they allow us to keep.
There is not one thing I can think of that the governement does well, other than spend money!
Jean Toal sits on her throne and dictates whichever way she needs to in order to please the corrupt politicians that put her there!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch my fucking property taxes have increased 30% during the worst economy in history!
I live in Jasper County. Im double fucked!
“Whether an activity is gaming/gambling is not dependent upon the relative roles of chance and skill, but whether there is money or something of value wagered on the game’s outcome,” the court’s majority opinion stated.
What about investing in a company? One could argue that isn’t necessarily gambling, but a “game of skill” of sorts, and even the most skilled can lose money they wager on the outcome. Should investing be illegal too, then?
What a fucking load, but to be expected from our loaded Supreme Court chief justice.
Playing the stock market is the biggest gamble of all!!! Errr… Next to farming!
This ruling ought to sink any hopes that the gambling ring in Lexington can hope to say that the machines were games of chance. Money was exchanged, let the indictments come forth!!!
What’s in Toal’s best interest? That’s how all decisions are made by this Court. Somehow, somewhere in this opinion, there is more to this case for Toal to yank it up and reverse the Court of Appeals.