Are Poker Machines Legal in South Carolina?
South Carolina remains one of the few states that still prohibit casino-style gambling; the only forms legal gambling are state lottery and charitable games such as bingo. State officials attempted to regulate video poker by restricting daily winnings. Machine operators found ways around this restriction by hiding multiple machines within buildings and behind walls. Legality South Carolina made video poker machines illegal in July 2000, yet operators continue to exploit loopholes to bypass prosecution. One such loophole is due to online gaming not taking place at physical locations making it hard for authorities to bust. Furthermore, South Carolina gambling laws don’t go far enough in prosecuting online games; therefore only legal forms of gambling such as state lotteries and the Big M Casino exist here. Horry County judge announced in June that 24 gaming machines seized in June should be destroyed, however prosecutors believe this ruling to be nothing but…