S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and her “Republican” allies in the General Assembly are your typical “do as we say, not as we do” politicians.
On taxes, spending, education reform, transparency and a host of other issues, the surest way to determine their actual position on something is to listen to what’s coming out of their word holes … and assume they’re doing the opposite.
Take the issue of gambling … which on the one hand is a “Great Satan” that cannot be permitted under any circumstances in our state. Well … unless of course the state runs (and profits from) the racket. In that case, Haley and her GOP allies are 100 percent supportive of gambling.
South Carolina taxpayers were sold on the implementation of a government-run lottery back in 2000 because they thought it would benefit “public education.” Of course that’s patently false – the money doesn’t go to government-run schools, it goes to this crap instead. Seriously … you thought those “Lottery = Education” bumper stickers were telling you the truth?
Also, as any South Carolina parent struggling to pay for escalating college tuition costs will tell you, the lottery has not made higher education more affordable.
Earlier this year the state took additional steps to solidify its gambling monopoly by banning so-called “internet sweepstakes” machines.
Sweepstakes machines sell items (most commonly long distance phone cards) prior to offering users the opportunity to win prizes via some sort of game – not unlike how McDonald’s sells french fries prior to offering diners a chance to win prizes via its Monopoly game. Video poker machines, on the other hand, have no “point of purchase” associated with them – they’re purely games of chance.
Frankly, we believe any electronic game (of skill or chance) should be 100 percent legal – but in the meantime video game operators are being shut down left and right even though their products have absolutely nothing to do with gambling.
Bottom line: If you have a touchscreen game in a bar or convenience station in South Carolina, the default presumption is it must be illegal.
And this year – after adopting a laissez faire approach to these machines for decades – the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has decided to start aggressively targeting these games for seizure (whether they are video poker machines or not). Of course this is the same agency which sat idly by for months last year while a cabal of crooked cops and corrupt politicians in Lexington County, S.C. ran its own video poker ring out of Lexington County – a criminal enterprise which has yet to be held accountable for its actions, incidentally.
Crazy, right?
In an effort to restore some semblance of sanity to this process, S.C. Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R-Beaufort) has introduced legislation aimed at clarifying what constitutes a “video poker” machine in South Carolina. Herbkersman’s bill would also establish a process by which video machines were certified as legal – and registered with the state.
In other words there would be no confusion as to what a “video poker” machine is – and isn’t.
On cue, South Carolina’s government – and its government-backed media – attacked the bill, referring to it as “another back-door attempt to bring back video poker.” In fact the pro-government newspaper The (Columbia, S.C.) State ran a big headline earlier this week entitled: “Could SC see a revival in video poker?”
Huh?
Nothing could be further from the truth, people.
This is crass media fear-mongering at the behest of South Carolina’s big government gambling monopolists … pure and simple. And both The State (and the appointed and elected officials it quoted in its piece) should be embarrassed to be involved in such baseless propagandizing.
In fact it reminds us of the baseless propagandizing The State engages in as part of its ongoing efforts to defend another failed state monopoly …
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33 comments
That’s the Republican way, the coalition between extreme religious beliefs and greed.
That’s the Republican way, the coalition between extreme religious beliefs and greed.
So my question is, are private poker events legal or illegal. When a certain NE Columbia group tried to have a poker night fundraiser it was shit down, but I have seen several ads on CL and FB for DEALERS WANTED for a private gambling event being held. See ad text below. And the crazy part is that when I called about it I was told the event was sposnored by the SCLEOA and a Private Group out of Dorchester. So is it illegal for me and joe citizen or illegal for everyone??
We need dealers for a private Corporate/association Function. We are a Special Event Company based out of Atlanta.
Prior Experience required. Please respond via email only if you are available and would like to work, include the position you would like to deal.
Need Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Texas Hold’em! Please reply with your preference
Details:
July 19, 2013
Dealer Times: 7:45PM – 11:00PM
Place: Double Tree, 2100 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210
Clothing Requirements:
Black Bow Tie
White Tuxedo Shirt
Black Dress Pants
Black Shoes
Please, respond with your full name, email address and cell/contact phone number to Tbell@4yes.com
Thank you for your Interest, we hope to work with you! Pay is listed below.
Location: Columbia, SC
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: $75 – $85
It is illegal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are not gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
It is legal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
For more clarity, please contact Jakie Knotts and his cohorts.
So my question is, are private poker events legal or illegal. When a certain NE Columbia group tried to have a poker night fundraiser it was shit down, but I have seen several ads on CL and FB for DEALERS WANTED for a private gambling event being held. See ad text below. And the crazy part is that when I called about it I was told the event was sposnored by the SCLEOA and a Private Group out of Dorchester. So is it illegal for me and joe citizen or illegal for everyone??
We need dealers for a private Corporate/association Function. We are a Special Event Company based out of Atlanta.
Prior Experience required. Please respond via email only if you are available and would like to work, include the position you would like to deal.
Need Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Texas Hold’em! Please reply with your preference
Details:
July 19, 2013
Dealer Times: 7:45PM – 11:00PM
Place: Double Tree, 2100 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210
Clothing Requirements:
Black Bow Tie
White Tuxedo Shirt
Black Dress Pants
Black Shoes
Please, respond with your full name, email address and cell/contact phone number to Tbell@4yes.com
Thank you for your Interest, we hope to work with you! Pay is listed below.
Location: Columbia, SC
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: $75 – $85
It is illegal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are not gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
It is legal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
For more clarity, please contact Jakie Knotts and his cohorts.
It is illegal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are not gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
It is legal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
For more clarity, please contact Jakie Knotts and or the various queens (both male and female) and their cohorts. Unless of course Toal has a comment about it.
Clear as mud?
It is illegal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are not gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
It is legal for anyone to gamble when they deem that the person/people gambling are gambling in a manner that is consistent with state law.
For more clarity, please contact Jakie Knotts and or the various queens (both male and female) and their cohorts. Unless of course Toal has a comment about it.
Clear as mud?
If THE STATE is “pro-government”, does that mean FITSNews is anti-government? So FITSNews is pro chaos?
T’s brother. Whine, bitch, moan, repeat.
Sic Willie’s lapdog. Swallow any utterance of Will’s.
See above
If THE STATE is “pro-government”, does that mean FITSNews is anti-government? So FITSNews is pro chaos?
T’s brother. Whine, bitch, moan, repeat.
Sic Willie’s lapdog. Swallow any utterance of Will’s.
See above
Is this type wager legal or illegal? Indictments in the alleged gambling ring in Lexington Co. will be issued prior to Sic Willie’s book on his affair with Haley and/or identification of who took Scott Wingo’s SAT. Place your bets.
One legged Bookie down at Kum ‘n Go has board at:
Indictments of Lexington Mafia, even money
Jakie Knotts elected Governor of South Carolina, 2 to 1
Willie’s “Never Saw a Tale I Didn’t Want to Poke” memoirs published, 5 to 1
Grand Tango climbs atop George Washington Statue to jerk off, 6.3 to 1
Scott Wingo’s SAT Ghost Identified as Scott Wingo, 25 to 1
DNA tests of Howard’s rock reveals it to be Bronzed Howard’s Turd, 100 to 1
Is this type wager legal or illegal? Indictments in the alleged gambling ring in Lexington Co. will be issued prior to Sic Willie’s book on his affair with Haley and/or identification of who took Scott Wingo’s SAT. Place your bets.
On
Hey DUMB-@$$…The laws are there for a reason…who do you think you are…Obama?
Grow-up and Follow the laws….or do you want to wind up BACK in jail…Idiot…????
Liberal-Tarians and Liberals are like spolied children…you have a BIG problem following the rules put thetre for the good of ALL of u…STFU and quit thinking you are above the law…
Video poker should be legal but regulated, similar to what other cities do with electronic gambling machines, in that video poker machines must have a minimum win percentage and manufacturers must submit the source code for such machines for verification. There should also be a structure to tax them.
People are going to feed these machines money regardless of the law, but given the choice between a safe, legal, and fair establishment and some untrusted hole in the wall run by corrupt politicos and cops on the take, I think the choice would be fairly simple for anyone.
Video poker should be legal but regulated, similar to what other cities do with electronic gambling machines, in that video poker machines must have a minimum win percentage and manufacturers must submit the source code for such machines for verification. There should also be a structure to tax them.
People are going to feed these machines money regardless of the law, but given the choice between a safe, legal, and fair establishment and some untrusted hole in the wall run by corrupt politicos and cops on the take, I think the choice would be fairly simple for anyone.
This site acts like “sweepstakes” gambling has not led to scores of arrests across the country and in this state, including the GOP Lt. Gov. of Florida and that the tentacles are not deep, deep, deep up the backs of the NC GOP legislature and governor to the point of giving bunches of its donations to charity in order to not look so quid pro quo.
This site acts like “sweepstakes” gambling has not led to scores of arrests across the country and in this state, including the GOP Lt. Gov. of Florida and that the tentacles are not deep, deep, deep up the backs of the NC GOP legislature and governor to the point of giving bunches of its donations to charity in order to not look so quid pro quo.
How about pari mutual wagering on horses. You talk about jobs, one of the most labor intensive businesses out there. You have two of the top training centers in the US in Camden and Aiken. Throw in Elloree and Holly Hill and you have a bunch of jobs. Each horse requires one employee. The tourism dollars, the state takeout on wagers and the jobs, win, win, win. Build a racetrack and watch the money roll in. It is a helluva lot better than video poker. Just a dream, I guess.
The late Senator Jim Waddell D-Beaufort pushed for years as chairman of the senate finance committee to allow para-mutual betting at a horse racing facility located in Jasper County that private investors were hoping to build.
Short cited SC let the money just roll on by to Florida.
How about pari mutual wagering on horses. You talk about jobs, one of the most labor intensive businesses out there. You have two of the top training centers in the US in Camden and Aiken. Throw in Elloree and Holly Hill and you have a bunch of jobs. Each horse requires one employee. The tourism dollars, the state takeout on wagers and the jobs, win, win, win. Build a racetrack and watch the money roll in. It is a helluva lot better than video poker. Just a dream, I guess.
The late Senator Jim Waddell D-Beaufort pushed for years as chairman of the senate finance committee to allow para-mutual betting at a horse racing facility located in Jasper County that private investors were hoping to build.
Short cited SC let the money just roll on by to Florida.
I luv cocks. I mean, uh, cock fights.
I luv cocks. I mean, uh, cock fights.
So when are out legislators going to get some brains and legalize gambling especially Casinos? We have something in the Palmetto state that exsits no where else in the “World”. Miles of beautiful beaches, and 50-75 prime golf courses, plus family entertainment all at one location Myrtle Beach. Add a Casino and we are talking large revenue for the States coffeurs. Wake up SC Assemblymen GOLFERS love to gamble on the course and off. A day of golf while the family swims and shops then eveings of dinning and gambling. No other location in the world can offer this to the magnatude that SC can. Someone plesae get this to a vote!!!!!!!!!!! So says Victor Mature
So when are out legislators going to get some brains and legalize gambling especially Casinos? We have something in the Palmetto state that exsits no where else in the “World”. Miles of beautiful beaches, and 50-75 prime golf courses, plus family entertainment all at one location Myrtle Beach. Add a Casino and we are talking large revenue for the States coffeurs. Wake up SC Assemblymen GOLFERS love to gamble on the course and off. A day of golf while the family swims and shops then eveings of dinning and gambling. No other location in the world can offer this to the magnatude that SC can. Someone plesae get this to a vote!!!!!!!!!!! So says Victor Mature