Irmo, South Carolina, September 11, 2025
News Summary
Gary Watts is taking legal action against the Irmo Police Department and SLED after being arrested during a private poker game. He claims the arrest was unlawful and violated his rights, citing South Carolina law permitting poker in private settings. Watts, along with others, were recorded without consent during a police sting operation, leading to his charges being dropped. He is seeking damages for reputational harm and lost opportunities, emphasizing the outdated gambling laws in the state.
Irmo, South Carolina – A South Carolina poker player named Gary Watts has initiated legal action against the Irmo Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following his arrest for participating in a private poker game. Watts contends that the arrest, which occurred last year during a police sting operation, was unlawful and that legal precedents support the right to play poker in a private setting.
Watts argues that he and ten others were wrongfully apprehended while playing poker in a rented office suite in Irmo. Law enforcement used an informant, who wore a wire, to record the players without their knowledge, leading to the arrests. According to South Carolina law, gambling is only illegal in specific locations such as taverns and barns, and Watts asserts that his game in a private office did not violate these regulations.
The lawsuit draws on an opinion from a previous state judge, which indicated that playing poker in a rented office space is permissible under South Carolina law. As a result, Watts is accusing the police and SLED of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and trespassing. He is seeking a jury trial along with unspecified monetary damages, citing significant embarrassment, a loss of professional opportunities, and damage to his reputation following the incident.
Specific criticism is levied in the lawsuit against the officers involved, referred to as “a crack team of gumshoes” who acted with unnecessary aggression. Watts emphasizes the social nature of poker, arguing that it poses little to no harm to the community. Before his arrest, Watts held professional roles that he lost because of the incident, including connections with the South Carolina Coroners Association.
The criminal charges against Watts were ultimately dropped following a ruling that confirmed the legality of playing poker in an office suite, indicating that he had been wrongfully targeted. Despite the legal challenges presented in court, both the Irmo Police and SLED maintain that their actions were justified and have yet to provide a detailed response to the claims in Watts’ lawsuit.
Further complicating the interpretation of gambling laws in the state, a recent opinion from Judge Thomas “Billy” McGee noted that South Carolina’s gambling regulations are outdated and should be revised to better reflect contemporary attitudes and practices. This perspective suggests that the legality of private poker games in South Carolina may be an evolving issue.
The outcome of Gary Watts’ lawsuit could potentially establish a significant precedent regarding the legality of private poker games in South Carolina, thus impacting players and games held in private settings across the state. As the case progresses, it will likely draw attention not only from those directly involved but also from poker enthusiasts and advocates for gambling law reform.
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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
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
