1980
Video poker machines first begin appearing on the market in the
early 1980s.
1986
The late state Sen. Jack Lindsay, D-Marlboro, quietly slips a
provision into a complicated law that allows gaming machines to give
payouts. It leads to "one of the largest gambling operations in the
world."
1990
The first legislation is introduced to ban video poker payouts;
legislation fails.
1991
S.C. Supreme Court rules disbursements from machines are illegal
but disbursements from a person are legal.
Legislature debates total ban of video poker machines; measure
fails.
1993
Video Game Machines Act becomes effective July 1. Limits payouts
to $125 per player per day, authorizes referendums on whether to
continue cash payouts in the state's 46 counties and includes
additional regulations.
Operators go to court to try to block enforcement of Video Game
Machines Act.
1994
Judge Thomas Kemmerlin issues a temporary restraining order to
block Department of Revenue from enforcing Video Game Machines Act
in Beaufort County.
Voters in all but 12 of the state's 46 counties decide to keep
payouts legal in their counties.
1995
Federal judge prohibits enforcement of ban in the 12
counties.
1996
Supreme Court rules that county referendums banning payoffs are
unconstitutional because of differing treatment of crimes from
county to county.
1997
A 10-day-old baby, left inside a car for seven hours, dies from
dehydration while mother is playing video poker.
Gamblers file lawsuit to collect back losses from poker
operators.
1998
Legislature fails in its attempt to ban video poker.
Democrat Jim Hodges, aided by the financial support of the video
poker industry, defeats incumbent David Beasley in gubernatorial
election. Beasley, a Republican, had termed video poker a "cancer"
on the state.
1999
State Rep. Terry Haskins, R-Greenville, devises legislation that
kills video poker in South Carolina unless voters decide in a
referendum to keep it.
On Oct. 14, the S.C. Supreme Court rules the November referendum
is unconstitutional. But the court lets the ban on video poker
stand.
The amount of money wagered tops $3 billion for the fiscal year
that ends June 30.
2000
Ban on video poker takes effect July 1.
