Section 13-603 - Gaming events and casino events - In general. - Maryland Statutes

§ 13-603. Gaming events and casino events - In general.
 

(a)  Permit required.- Before an organization listed in subsection (b) of this section may operate a gaming event or casino event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the Department of Permits and Development Management. 

(b)  Qualified organizations.-  

(1) An organization that meets the conditions of paragraph (2) of this subsection may conduct a gaming event or casino event if the organization is a bona fide: 

(i) religious organization; 

(ii) fraternal organization; 

(iii) civic organization, including: 

1. a hunting organization; 

2. a social organization; or 

3. a sporting organization; 

(iv) volunteer fire organization; 

(v) veterans' organization; 

(vi) veterans' hospital; 

(vii) amateur athletic organization; or 

(viii) charitable organization. 

(2) An organization that conducts a gaming event or casino event under this section shall spend a majority of the net proceeds from the gaming event or casino event for the following in the county: 

(i) purposes that benefit religious purposes; 

(ii) fraternal purposes; 

(iii) civic purposes; 

(iv) volunteer fire operations; 

(v) purposes that benefit veterans; 

(vi) purposes that benefit a veterans' hospital; 

(vii) purposes related to amateur athletics; or 

(viii) charitable purposes. 

(c)  Permit terms.-  

(1) A permit to conduct a gaming event or casino event shall provide that only the members of the permit holder may manage the gaming event or casino event. 

(2) A permit is not transferable. 

(d)  Conditions and limitations.-  

(1) An organization that obtains a permit may award a prize of money or merchandise using: 

(i) a paddle wheel; 

(ii) a wheel of fortune; 

(iii) a chance book; 

(iv) bingo; or 

(v) any other gaming device except: 

1. a card game; 

2. a dice game; or 

3. roulette. 

(2) Except as provided in § 13-604 of this subtitle, a person may not: 

(i) operate a card game, a dice game, or roulette; or 

(ii) conduct a casino event. 

(3) An organization that obtains a permit shall ensure that: 

(i) an individual or group of individuals does not benefit financially from the holding of the gaming event; 

(ii) an individual or group of individuals does not receive any of the proceeds of the gaming event for personal use or benefit; and 

(iii) the gaming event is managed personally by the members of the permit holder. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 255(b)(1), (3), (f)(1), (4), (5)(i); 2002, ch. 26, § 2; 2003, ch. 21, § 1.]