This week in The Fight, discussion moves to live poker as a pair of state legislatures decided not to change their state’s gaminglaws to allow friendly home poker games.

South Carolina’s Senate Judiciary Committee met to discussed a series of bills to amend an 1802 gaming law that banned the playing of dice and card games in the home. In the past, raids of home games by the police have brought into question the antiquated laws, which technically make playing games such as Monopoly, Parcheesi, bridge and pinochle illegal. Unfortunately, discussion in the Committee delayed bringing up legislation on relaxing the laws to allow card and dice games to a later date, instead moving to the full Senate a proposed constitutional amendment for the state’s voters to decide to legalize charities and non-profit groups to hold raffles and “casino nights”.

In Virginia, state Senator Chap Petersen introduced Senate Bill 849 which would make poker a game of skill and not subject to the state’s gaming laws. However, due to fears that the legislation would lead to an expansion of gambling, the state Senate of Courts Justice Committee voted 14-1 to “pass by indefinitely” the bill, effectively killing the legislation for the year. Later in the week, police in Virginia Beach broke up a home game considered a “gambling enterprise“.

Two states that are also considering legalizing live poker include Texas, and Wyoming. Expect more states to consider similar legislation in the coming months along with California, Florida and Iowa among those considering intrastate online gambling.

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