September 11, 2025

Poker Player Sues Irmo Police Over Arrest During Private Game

Irmo, South Carolina, September 11, 2025

News Summary

Poker player Gary Watts is taking legal action against the Irmo Police and SLED after his arrest during a private poker game in a rented office. Watts argues that South Carolina gambling laws do not prohibit such gatherings and cites a prior judge’s ruling supporting his claims. He is seeking damages and a jury trial due to the severe impact of the arrest on his career and personal life. The case highlights ongoing debates regarding the legality of social gaming in the state.

Irmo, South Carolina – Poker player Gary Watts is pursuing legal action against the Irmo Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following his arrest during a private poker game in a rented office last year. The lawsuit argues that the state’s gambling laws should not prohibit such private gatherings, as they take place in a lawful setting.

Watts was one of eleven individuals arrested when law enforcement officers used an informant who was equipped with a wire to record the activities of the players. The police assert that they acted within the legal boundaries, yet Watts claims otherwise. His lawsuit highlights that South Carolina law delineates illegal gambling locations to include taverns and barns, but does not specifically classify rented office spaces as such.

In his legal argument, Watts references a prior opinion from a state judge who ruled that hosting poker games in a rented office is – in fact – legal. He contends that the authorities acted unlawfully when they detained him and the other participants, accusing them of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and trespassing. Following the judge’s ruling on the legality of poker in rented office spaces, the charges against Watts were subsequently dropped.

Beyond his legal claims, Watts is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages, citing significant personal and professional repercussions due to the arrest. He reports experiencing embarrassment and a loss of career opportunities, including his roles with the South Carolina Coroners Association. This incident has had a substantial impact on his professional life and reputation, raising concerns about the implications of his arrest for individuals seeking to engage in similar activities.

Watts criticizes the law enforcement officers involved, referring to them as “a crack team of gumshoes” who used excessive force during the arrests. His lawsuit urges the court to recognize poker as a legitimate social activity without inherent harm, bringing into question the need for such aggressive enforcement against private games.

The legal landscape surrounding gambling in South Carolina, particularly concerning poker, has been under scrutiny. Judge Thomas “Billy” McGee has noted that the state’s gambling laws are outdated and argue that modern regulations should reflect current societal norms. The outcome of Watts’ lawsuit may have significant implications for the legality of private poker games, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

As the case proceeds, the Irmo Police and SLED maintain that their actions were within the law. However, they have yet to issue a detailed response to the lawsuit. The situation underscores a growing tension between traditional interpretations of gambling laws and the evolving nature of social gaming.

With the potential for a jury trial on the horizon, the case has attracted attention not just within the poker community, but also among legal experts who are monitoring how it might reshape the legal framework governing private gambling activities in South Carolina.

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