Changes needed in outdated gambling laws

April 13, 2009 by senatormcconnell

Even though some charitable groups or churches would never dream of raising money by raffling off a car or a quilt, others long for the day they can return to bringing in money through such lotteries that once left them better able to do their good works.

And even though most middle-aged men escape the long reach of the law when they play poker with their buddies on Friday night, it doesn’t make sense that such an activity really is illegal in South Carolina.

It should be entirely possible for South Carolina legislators to change outdated gambling laws to accomplish these three goals that many other states have been able to achieve:

• First and most important, legislators should make sure the laws are changed in a sensible and straightforward way that does not invite Las Vegas-style casinos or professional gambling companies into this state. In short, any changes to existing laws must not have loopholes that allow some poisonous creature such as video poker to slither into our state again.

• Second, the laws should be changed so that reasonable enforcement is possible for laws that ban for-profit gambling. Right now, the current state law makes just about any game involving cards or dice illegal — including those that take place at the kitchen table or among a foursome of friends.

• Third, charitable groups should be able to return to raising much-needed revenues through raffles or other games that resemble lotteries. Many nonprofit groups did this until a few years ago when they were threatened with legal action based on a recent interpretation that the S.C. Constitution allows only the state to hold a lottery.

Two laws are being considered by the state Senate. One would change a gambling law that came of age in 1802 by allowing games involving cards or dice under certain conditions. The other would remove the legal cloud that hangs over any raffle offered by any charity or church, and this change would require a constitutional amendment.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were in Greenville last week to get public input on the two bills. Committee members got an earful as several speakers argued passionately against any action that would create more opportunities for any form of gambling in this state.

Compelling arguments can be made for legislative action, however, and other speakers provided legislators with solid reasons for changing the outdated laws. Representatives of the American Legion told of having to halt fundraisers that used raffles and casino nights. The programs that benefited from these activities have come to a halt, one speaker told the Senate panel.

Charities that once leaned heavily on raffles to fund their good causes have been left struggling over the past few years. These groups need the option of using raffles or the like to raise money through a form of harmless entertainment that many people enjoy.

Also, law enforcement should not be expected to spend its limited time and energy trying to sniff out friendly poker games between pals in someone’s home. Furthermore, all citizens should be protected by common-sense laws that can be equally and predictably enforced.

This state’s elected legislators should be smart enough to come up with fool-proof changes that update antiquated laws that now are enforced erratically. And they should be able to do this without again turning this state over to big-time, professional gambling operators.

The Greenville Online Editorial

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