September 11, 2025

Lawsuit Filed Over Arrest During Private Poker Game in Irmo

Irmo, South Carolina, September 11, 2025

News Summary

Gary Watts has filed a lawsuit against the Irmo Police Department and SLED after being arrested at a private poker game. The case questions the legality of such games under South Carolina law, claiming he was unlawfully detained. Watts argues the game was permissible in a rented office and seeks damages after suffering professional setbacks. The outcome may reshape the state’s gambling regulations.

Irmo, South Carolina

Gary Watts, a poker player in South Carolina, has filed a lawsuit against the Irmo Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following his arrest during a private poker game. The case raises significant questions regarding the legality of private poker games in the state.

The lawsuit, initiated by Watts, claims that he and ten others were unlawfully arrested while playing poker in a rented office suite. The incident occurred last year, when law enforcement used an informant equipped with a recording device to document the poker game. Watts argues that playing poker in a rented office is not illegal under South Carolina law, which explicitly prohibits gambling in locations such as barns and taverns.

Watts’ legal action is grounded in a previous ruling from a state judge, who indicated that poker played in a rented office setting is permissible. This forms the core of Watts’ argument as he seeks to establish that his arrest was unjustified.

In addition to false arrest, Watts is also alleging malicious prosecution and trespassing in his lawsuit. He is requesting a jury trial along with unspecified damages, citing embarrassment and the detrimental impact on his career as reasons for his claim. Following the arrest, Watts reportedly lost several professional opportunities, including roles with the South Carolina Coroners Association.

After the arrest, the charges against Watts were ultimately dismissed, reinforcing his stance that the poker game was legal. In the lawsuit, Watts criticizes the law enforcement officers involved, labeling them as “a crack team of gumshoes” who acted with excessive aggression during the arrest. He emphasizes that poker is a social activity that poses no risk to public safety.

The Irmo Police and SLED have maintained that their actions were lawful, although they have not yet provided detailed responses to the allegations made in Watts’ lawsuit. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the regulation of private poker games in South Carolina.

Recent commentary from Judge Thomas “Billy” McGee has drawn attention to the state’s gambling laws, describing them as outdated and potentially not reflective of current social practices. This evolving legal landscape suggests that the definitions of legal and illegal gambling may be subject to change in the near future.

The Watts lawsuit reflects a broader discussion on the legality of private gambling in South Carolina, where the existing legal framework is often seen as antiquated compared to the recreational gambling practices allowed in other states. As the case moves forward, it may set a legal precedent regarding the future of poker and similar card games within private settings in South Carolina.

The implications of this legal action extend beyond Watts himself, potentially affecting the gambling community in South Carolina and the state’s regulations on private gaming. The case has drawn attention from both stakeholders in the gambling industry and members of the public who engage in social gambling activities. How the court ultimately rules may influence future legal challenges and the formulation of gambling laws in the state.