Irmo, South Carolina, September 11, 2025
News Summary
Gary Watts has filed a lawsuit against the Irmo Police Department and SLED, claiming unlawful arrest during a private poker game in South Carolina. The incident, which involved ten others, raises legal questions about private poker games in the state. Watts asserts that playing poker in a rented office space is legal, backed by a previous judge’s opinion. He seeks damages for personal embarrassment and lost opportunities, highlighting law enforcement’s aggressive behavior during the arrest.
Irmo, South Carolina — A lawsuit has been filed by Gary Watts, a poker player from South Carolina, against the Irmo Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for what he claims was an unlawful arrest during a private poker game. The incident, which involved ten other individuals playing poker in a rented office suite, took place last year and is raising questions about the legality of such private games within the state.
The arrest was executed following the use of an informant who reportedly wore a wire during the game. Watts’s lawsuit declares that playing poker in a rented office space does not violate state laws, which specifically designate certain locations, such as taverns and barns, as illegal for gambling activities. This assertion is supported by a previous opinion from a state judge who indicated that poker played in a private, rented location is indeed legal.
In his lawsuit, Watts claims that he and the others were subject to false arrest, malicious prosecution, and trespassing by law enforcement officials. He is seeking a jury trial and is requesting unspecified damages, highlighting personal embarrassment and the loss of professional opportunities as consequences of the arrest. Specific criticism is directed at the officers involved, with the lawsuit describing them as “a crack team of gumshoes” who demonstrated unnecessary aggression during the operation.
Watts emphasizes the social nature of poker and argues that it does not contribute to any harm. Prior to the incident, he held professional roles, including positions with the South Carolina Coroners Association, which he lost following the arrest. Although the charges against him were eventually dropped after a ruling clarified the legality of his activities, the impact on his life and career has been evident.
Both the Irmo Police and SLED have maintained that their actions were appropriate and lawful, though they have yet to provide a detailed response to the lawsuit. This legal confrontation could potentially serve as a pivotal point for the future of private poker games in South Carolina, particularly as recent judicial opinions suggest the state’s gambling laws may be obsolete. Judge Thomas “Billy” McGee has also indicated that current regulations should be re-evaluated to reflect modern practices.
The outcome of Watts’s lawsuit could set a significant precedent for the interpretation of gambling laws in the state. As public interest in the legality of private poker games continues to grow, this case may influence future legislative discussions and enforcement practices by law enforcement agencies regarding similar social activities.
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online: South Carolina News
- WLTX: Big Lottery Win in Poker Night Game
- WACH: New Bill for Casino Gambling in SC
- WYFF: SC Poker Player Wins Scratch Off
- SC Daily Gazette: Against Online Betting and Casinos
- Wikipedia: Gambling in the United States
- Google Search: Poker Laws in South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Poker Game Laws in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gambling
- Google News: South Carolina Poker Laws
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