The U.S. state of South Carolina is considering revising their gambling laws, which have existed unchanged since 1802. As is often the case with governments, even at the state level, things move slowly. There was outrage in the Palmetto State when several dozen people were arrested and charged with illegal gambling when a Mount Pleasant home was raided in 2006. Their crime was playing poker, which is in violation of the state’s gambling laws, which are among the strictest in the nation.

The 207-year-old laws make all card and dice games illegal. The crack team of journalists at the Post and Courier and virtually every blog that has used that newspaper as a resource have reported that using a strict interpretation of the law, playing the board game Monopoly with your family is against the law. Rhetoric like that has enflamed the public and may be the catalyst for changes in the state constitution.

Before we get into all of that, though, let’s get to the facts. South Carolina may have very anti-gambling laws on the books, but they’re not going to throw grandma in jail for playing Yahtzee at home – or even for playing poker, for that matter.

Ed Knisley prosecuted the players arrested in the Mount Pleasant raid and he said that it wasn’t a small game between friends. According to Knisley, the defendants “were part of a large group involved in a setting up quasi-professional casino-style poker games, with numerous tables set up at each commercial location, using paid dealers.”

In addition, Knisley said that although the gambling laws are vague enough that Monopoly could be considered illegal, the authorities look at the intent of the legislation. He stated that it’s not a crime to play card or dice games “for amusement,” but it was a different matter when betting is involved.

Five of the men arrested in the Mount Pleasant raid were convicted in February of this year. From 2006 until now, there has been a lot of confusion about what is legal in the state and the Poker Players Alliance, among other groups, have been pushing for a rewriting of the laws. They may get their wish.

A new bill has been proposed in the state House and has cleared a subcommittee by a 4-1 vote. The bill would make changes to the gambling language, clearly outlining that it is perfectly legal for non-profit organizations to hold raffles to raise money. In addition, the legislation would specify that social gambling, such as home poker games, are okay. The bill would also allow state residents to vote on whether to amend the state constitution to allow betting events by churches, schools and other charitable organizations.

This may have all come about because of a misunderstanding, but this bill seems like a good thing for the state. In addition, the PPA and other gambling advocacy groups are hoping that it is a foot in the door that will eventually lead to an expansion of gambling in South Carolina, including casinos. Only time will tell, but don’t hold your breath. After all, it took us 207 years to get this far.