Section 12-102 - Betting, wagering, gambling, etc. - Maryland Statutes

§ 12-102. Betting, wagering, gambling, etc.
 

(a)  Prohibited.- A person may not: 

(1) bet, wager, or gamble; 

(2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; 

(3) establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of: 

(i) betting, wagering, or gambling; or 

(ii) making, selling, or buying books or pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or 

(4) receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or contingency. 

(b)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both. 

(c)  Applicability.-  

(1) The provisions of this subsection apply only in Baltimore City. 

(2) A person who violates this section may be charged by a citation. 

(3) A citation for a violation of this section may be issued to a person by a police officer authorized to make arrests in Baltimore City if there is probable cause to believe that the person is committing or has committed a violation of this section. 

(4) A citation issued under this subsection shall contain: 

(i) the name and address of the person charged; 

(ii) the statute allegedly violated; 

(iii) the location, date, and time that the violation occurred; 

(iv) the fine or term of imprisonment that may be imposed; 

(v) a notice stating that prepayment of a fine is not allowed; 

(vi) a notice that the court shall promptly send the person charged a summons to appear for trial; and 

(vii) the signature of the police officer issuing the citation. 

(5) (i) The police officer who issued the citation shall forward to the appropriate court a copy of the citation. 

(ii) The court shall promptly schedule the case for trial and summon the defendant to appear. 

(iii) Willful failure of the defendant to respond to the summons is contempt of court. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 240; 2002, ch. 26, § 2; 2004, ch. 123.]