{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-1703","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 13–1703","heading":"","body":"(a) The county commissioners may issue a permit to an organization specified in subsection (c) of this section to use two or more of the following gaming devices in conducting a fundraiser at which a prize of merchandise or money may be awarded:\n(1) a paddle wheel;\n(2) a wheel of fortune;\n(3) a chance book;\n(4) a card game;\n(5) a raffle; or\n(6) any other gaming device.\n(b) Unless conducted at an event requiring a permit under subsection (a) of this section, a raffle is not a multiple gaming device regulated under this section.\n(c) (1) In this subsection, “charity” means an organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.\n(2) The county commissioners may issue a permit to use multiple gaming devices to:\n(i) a bona fide religious organization that has conducted religious services at the same location in the county for at least 3 years before applying for a permit;\n(ii) a county-supported or municipally supported volunteer fire company or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the volunteer fire company or auxiliary unit;\n(iii) a nationally chartered veterans’ organization or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the veterans’ organization;\n(iv) for the purpose of conducting a fundraiser for the benefit of a charity located in the county, a bona fide:\n1. fraternal organization;\n2. educational organization;\n3. civic organization;\n4. patriotic organization; or\n5. charitable organization; or\n(v) a bona fide nonprofit organization that:\n1. has operated on a nonprofit basis in the county for at least 3 years before applying for a permit; and\n2. intends to use the multiple gaming devices to raise money for an exclusively charitable, athletic, or educational purpose specifically described in the permit application.\n(d) Before issuing a permit, the county commissioners shall determine that the organization seeking the permit:\n(1) is organized in and serves the residents of the county; and\n(2) meets the conditions of this subtitle.\n(e) (1) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a permit is valid for one event that does not last longer than 6 hours.\n(ii) The county commissioners may issue a permit for an event longer than 6 hours if the permit holder does not seek more than one permit in the same year.\n(2) The county commissioners may not approve a permit for gaming events to be held on premises that are licensed under a Class B or Class D alcoholic beverages license.\n(3) The county commissioners may not issue more than six permits to an organization in a single year.\n(4) The county commissioners may:\n(i) charge a fee set by resolution for each permit;\n(ii) set the number of permits that may be issued each year; and\n(iii) adopt regulations governing permit applications and the issuance of permits.\n(f) (1) An organization that is issued a permit shall conduct its fundraiser in a:\n(i) structure that the organization owns, leases, or occupies;\n(ii) structure that any organization that would qualify for a permit owns, leases, or occupies; or\n(iii) public location that is:\n1. described in the permit application; and\n2. approved by the State’s Attorney for the county.\n(2) (i) Unless the county commissioners grant a waiver, only a resident of the county may manage and operate a fundraiser for which a permit is issued on behalf of the permit holder.\n(ii) Each permit holder shall designate an individual to be responsible for compliance with the terms and conditions of this subtitle and a permit issued under this subtitle.\n(iii) A person may not be compensated for operating the gaming activity conducted under a permit.\n(g) (1) The permit holder shall use at least one-half of the funds raised using the permit for civic, charitable, or educational purposes.\n(2) Within 30 days after a fundraiser, the permit holder shall send to the county commissioners:\n(i) an accounting of all funds received or pledged;\n(ii) an accounting of all expenses paid or incurred; and\n(iii) a statement under oath of the application of the net profits.\n(h) The county commissioners may deny a permit for not more than 3 years to an organization that violates this subtitle or regulations adopted under this subtitle.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=13-1703","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"271d8a0d2655c04260f455c7388572bc6d1644dd3e034b8b0236599c5d7661a6","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-1702","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-1704"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}