Last week, the South Carolina State Senate approved legislation which would allow churches, charities, and non-profit organizations to raise money by hosting games of chance, such as poker, and casino games.
Under a 200-year-old law, dice and card games are prohibited in South Carolina. The new legislation would allow churches to raise money using games such as Texas Hold'em poker, Five Card Draw, or Seven Card Stud. The games are specifically mentioned in the bill.
Many church and charity representatives were surprised by the bill – Rev. Stephen Singleton from the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston commented "I am totally against it. That is not the biblical way of providing for a ministry. Under no circumstances do I have a problem with the church soliciting funds, but when we go to games of chance, we become a casino."
Another Pastor – Leonard Griffin from the Morris Street Baptist Church, said "I saw the news, and it shocked me to think that games of chance would be allowed at the church. That's not something we endorse."
Under the bill, games hosted elsewhere, or for a profit, would not be permitted – only games ran with the intent of raising money for a charity. The bill will be discussed further later this month, during the next Judiciary Committee meeting.
Email this page
Print this page
Bookmark with del.icio.us
