Raffle Bill Advances in South Carolina

A little known fact: raffles are illegal in the state of South Carolina, yet we constantly see churches and places of business holding them for charitable causes. As the law stands not only are games of cards and dice illegal, but the only legal raffle in the state of South Carolina is the state lottery. That’s right, all those biker runs, raffles to help the needy, school and church raffles to raise money, it’s all illegal.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 18-4 on Tuesday (1-18-11) to advance a proposed constitution amendment to advance a bill that would change the rules and allow such raffles to take place should voters say “yes” in 2012. The current  law dates all the way back to 1802 and has never been changed.

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Now I have nothing against raising money for a good cause, I’m all for helping those in need and we even host a monthly charity poker game to help raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation. But I have stated in the past and I’ll state again, that if law enforcement are going to lock people up for playing poker in their homes in South Carolina (and they have), then they should enforce the laws for everyone, be it at a church function, or a bar raising money for the needy.

Just another fine example of the hypocrisy in the state. It’s high time that these old laws be updated.

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