Poker game organizer sued the police for an illegal raid

In South Carolina, former coroner Gary Watts is suing the police after being arrested at a home poker game. The case has sparked public outcry and discussion about poker laws.

A major legal dispute is unfolding in South Carolina between the organizer of a home poker game and local law enforcement. Gary Watts, former coroner of Richland County, filed a lawsuit against the police after being arrested during a raid on a poker night in an office building. This story has attracted the attention not only of the poker community but also of the general public, as it raises questions about the interpretation of gambling laws and citizens' rights. Arrest at the Poker Game: How Events Unfolded In 2024, in the city of Irmo, South Carolina, police raided a private poker game held in an office space. As a result, three people were detained: Gary Watts (67), Adam Watts (28), and Daniel Schaffer (53). They were charged with running unlawful gaming tables—a term police use to crack down on illegal gambling. In addition to the organizers, seven other people were charged for participating in the game. During the search, police seized $15,000 in cash. As Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale noted, such actions violate state law and will not be tolerated in their community. He also emphasized that in the past, gambling has led to tragedies due to the greed of some participants, and the police intend to protect the city from such risks. The Organizer’s Position and the Court’s Decision Gary Watts, a former coroner and respected county resident, insisted that the poker nights were strictly friendly gatherings and not commercial events. The games took place among acquaintances in an office building, not in venues explicitly prohibited by law (such as bars, liquor stores, streets, or racetracks). South Carolina law does list specific places where gambling is banned, but office spaces are not included in that list. In 2025, the court sided with Watts, ruling that his actions did not break the law. This decision set an important precedent for interpreting local gambling laws and sparked widespread discussion among players and private game organizers. Lawsuit Against Police and Authorities After being acquitted, Gary Watts filed a lawsuit in the Richland County Common Pleas Court on August 25, 2025. The defendants in the case were the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the administration of the Town of Irmo. In the lawsuit, Watts claims that it was the police who broke the law, not him. He accuses law enforcement of unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, and trespassing on private property. Watts’s attorneys emphasize that this was an innocent group of friends who regularly gathered in the office to play poker, have dinner, and socialize. The lawsuit also notes that office spaces have never been considered illegal venues for poker games, and the police had no grounds to suspect Watts of a crime. The raid was conducted after an informant tipped off authorities about an alleged illegal poker game. The investigation lasted several months before the arrests were made. Authorities’ and Police Response The Town of Irmo and SLED publicly commented on the situation. City spokesperson Ashley Hunter stated that the administration disagrees with the “overly creative interpretation” of events presented in the lawsuit, but believes it is right to let the court system resolve the matter. She emphasized that the city remains committed to transparency, accountability, and acting in the community’s best interests. Renee Wunderlich, official spokesperson for SLED, noted that the department cannot discuss details of the ongoing legal proceedings. Tournament Table and Details of the Charges Arrested for organizing illegal gambling: Gary Watts (67) Adam Watts (28) Daniel Schaffer (53) Arrested for participating in the game: 7 other people (names not disclosed) Cash seized: $15,000 Date of lawsuit filing: August 25, 2025 Court of filing: Richland County Common Pleas Court Defendants: State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Town of Irmo Poker Terms and Legal Context The term “keeping unlawful gaming tables” is used in this case—this is a charge for running illegal gaming tables, which in the US is often applied to organizers of illegal gambling. However, as this case showed, much depends on the interpretation of the law and the location of the game. In South Carolina, gambling is prohibited in certain public places, but office spaces are not specifically mentioned in the law, which played a key role in the court’s decision. It is also important to understand the difference between a home game among friends and a commercial poker room. In the first case, there is no “rake”—no commission taken from the pot, and the organizer does not profit, which often helps avoid charges of illegal gambling. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, this precedent is an important reason to consider legal literacy and the rules for organizing games. Even if the game is held in a private setting among acquaintances, it is important to know local laws and understand which venues are considered acceptable for poker. In case of doubt, it is worth consulting a lawyer or carefully studying the legislation in your region. Moreover, Gary Watts’s story shows that even without a commercial element, home games can attract the attention of law enforcement. Therefore, organizers should prepare arguments in advance to defend themselves: for example, the absence of a rake, a closed circle of participants, and choosing a venue not prohibited by law. Finally, this case is a reminder of the importance of transparency and trust within the poker community. If a PPPoker club or its members face legal issues, open discussion and sharing experiences can help avoid mistakes and protect your rights.