http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/14707705.htm
Associated Press
<!-- begin body-content -->MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - A group of poker players arrested for gambling have asked for a jury trial in an effort to change South Carolina's 200-year-old gaming law that bans games of cards and dice.
"The law was basically set in place way back in 1802 because of the morality of the times," said Robert Chimento, who pleaded not guilty during an appearance in town court Tuesday.
The law as written, he said, makes even the child's game Chutes and Ladders illegal. "Times have changed ... and this law needs to be changed," Chimento said.
Eighteen of 22 people arrested in April during a police raid on a poker game have asked for a jury trial. Police seized nearly $6,000. No trial date has been set.
Four defendants pleaded guilty before Municipal Judge David Michel and were ordered to pay fines of $100 each.
The four did not comment while leaving court but were from out of town and wanted to put the episode behind them, Chimento said.
The players say the game was a friendly get-together, but authorities contend the house operated a high-stakes poker parlor that advertised games on the Internet. Police said players paid a $20 buy-in to play with a percentage of proceeds going to the house.
Some of the players who were ticketed by officers said the police claims are exaggerated.
"It is really ridiculous because there are much larger games going on," said 78-year-old Amelia "Midge" Cheseborough.
Prosecutor Ira Grossman said the case will proceed like any other. He said it is up to lawmakers to determine whether the gambling law needs to be changed.
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Associated Press
<!-- begin body-content -->MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - A group of poker players arrested for gambling have asked for a jury trial in an effort to change South Carolina's 200-year-old gaming law that bans games of cards and dice.
"The law was basically set in place way back in 1802 because of the morality of the times," said Robert Chimento, who pleaded not guilty during an appearance in town court Tuesday.
The law as written, he said, makes even the child's game Chutes and Ladders illegal. "Times have changed ... and this law needs to be changed," Chimento said.
Eighteen of 22 people arrested in April during a police raid on a poker game have asked for a jury trial. Police seized nearly $6,000. No trial date has been set.
Four defendants pleaded guilty before Municipal Judge David Michel and were ordered to pay fines of $100 each.
The four did not comment while leaving court but were from out of town and wanted to put the episode behind them, Chimento said.
The players say the game was a friendly get-together, but authorities contend the house operated a high-stakes poker parlor that advertised games on the Internet. Police said players paid a $20 buy-in to play with a percentage of proceeds going to the house.
Some of the players who were ticketed by officers said the police claims are exaggerated.
"It is really ridiculous because there are much larger games going on," said 78-year-old Amelia "Midge" Cheseborough.
Prosecutor Ira Grossman said the case will proceed like any other. He said it is up to lawmakers to determine whether the gambling law needs to be changed.
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