{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-705","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 13–705","heading":"","body":"(a) For purposes of this section, a game of instant bingo conducted under a Class NG beach license is considered to be bingo.\n(b) Before a person may conduct bingo in the county, the person shall obtain a license from the county commissioners.\n(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a person who complies with this section may conduct bingo in the county.\n(d) (1) (i) The county commissioners may not issue a license unless the application was filed at least 30 days before the date of issuance.\n(ii) An applicant for a license shall:\n1. file an application on a form that the county commissioners provide; and\n2. sign the application under oath.\n(iii) The application shall include:\n1. the name of the applicant;\n2. the address of the applicant;\n3. any trade name of the applicant;\n4. if the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner;\n5. if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of each officer of the corporation;\n6. if a resident agent is required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the name and address of the applicant’s resident agent;\n7. the name and address of any person having a financial interest in the operation of the proposed bingo; and\n8. the signatures of all of the individuals listed in items 1 through 7 of this subparagraph indicating consent to individual liability for any unlawful operation of licensed bingo.\n(iv) 1. The county commissioners may refuse to issue a license based on the facts disclosed on an application.\n2. Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not require the county commissioners to investigate an applicant’s statements on the application before issuing a license.\n(2) Each applicant for a license shall present evidence to the county commissioners that the applicant has obtained a public liability insurance policy that:\n(i) covers the period covered by the proposed license;\n(ii) provides coverage for personal injury to:\n1. any bingo patron in an amount not less than $100,000; and\n2. more than one bingo patron in an amount not less than $500,000.\n(3) (i) Each nonresident applicant for a license shall designate a resident agent.\n(ii) A resident agent must be:\n1. a voter in the county;\n2. a taxpayer of the county; and\n3. an owner of property in the county assessed at not less than $25,000.\n(e) (1) The county commissioners may issue the following licenses:\n(i) a Class NA license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 750 individuals;\n(ii) a Class NB license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;\n(iii) a Class NC license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals;\n(iv) a Class ND beach license, for bingo that:\n1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;\n2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and\n3. may be operated between May 1 and September 30;\n(v) a Class NE beach license, for bingo that:\n1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals;\n2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and\n3. may be operated between May 1 and September 30;\n(vi) a Class NF beach license, for bingo that:\n1. does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals;\n2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and\n3. may be operated throughout the year; or\n(vii) a Class NG beach license, for bingo that:\n1. does not have a limitation on seating or player capacity;\n2. may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and\n3. may be operated throughout the year.\n(2) The county commissioners shall:\n(i) retain a copy of each license issued;\n(ii) issue a copy of the license to the license holder; and\n(iii) forward a copy of the license to the State Comptroller.\n(3) A license is not transferable.\n(f) The county commissioners shall assess the following annual license fees:\n(1) $3,500 for a Class NA license;\n(2) $3,000 for a Class NB license;\n(3) $4,000 for a Class NC license;\n(4) $500 for a Class ND beach license;\n(5) $1,000 for a Class NE beach license;\n(6) $3,000 for a Class NF beach license; and\n(7) $5,000 for a Class NG beach license.\n(g) (1) The county commissioners may not issue a license if the conduct of bingo would:\n(i) unduly disturb the peace of the neighborhood in which the applicant proposes to conduct bingo;\n(ii) create a nuisance; or\n(iii) be detrimental to the health or welfare of the community.\n(2) (i) The county commissioners may not issue a license to conduct bingo in a building that is not permanent and covered by a roof.\n(ii) This paragraph does not apply to a person who is not required to obtain a license to conduct bingo.\n(3) (i) The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo on Sunday:\n1. a Class NA license;\n2. a Class NB license; or\n3. a Class NC license.\n(ii) The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo before 1 p.m. on Sunday:\n1. a Class ND beach license;\n2. a Class NE beach license; or\n3. a Class NF beach license.\n(iii) A Class NG beach license may not allow the conduct of bingo between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=13-705","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"251af5497b4ddb775e6a81282732dbdad28d4b8da7e4e8ebe2e5e2d648a2355a","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-704","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-13-706"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}