2023 Maryland Statutes › Criminal Law › Title 13 - Gaming -- Local Provisions › Subtitle 13 - Frederick County › Section 13-1304.1 - Card Game, Card Tournament, or Casino Event

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Casino event” includes the play of card games, dice games, and roulette.
(3)    “Permit” means a permit to conduct a card game, card tournament, or casino event.
(b)    Before an organization may conduct a card game, card tournament, or casino event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the County Department of Permits and Inspections.
(c)    To qualify for a permit, an organization shall be a bona fide:
(1)    amateur athletic organization;
(2)    charitable organization;
(3)    civic organization;
(4)    fraternal organization;
(5)    hospital;
(6)    religious organization;
(7)    volunteer fire company; or
(8)    war veterans’ organization.
(d)    (1)    A card game, card tournament, or casino event may be:
(i)    managed and operated by the organization that is the permit holder; or
(ii)    managed by the organization that is the permit holder and operated by another organization listed in subsection (c) of this section.
(2)    (i)    An operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event may not receive compensation.
(ii)    To volunteer as an operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 18 years old.
(iii)    To participate in a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 21 years old.
(e)    (1)    An organization that is the permit holder may receive not more than four permits in a calendar year.
(2)    A card game, card tournament, or casino event may not last longer than 24 consecutive hours.
(f)    A permit is not transferable.
(g)    (1)    Proceeds from a card game, card tournament, or casino event conducted under this section:
(i)    shall be used to benefit a charity or to further the purpose of the permit holder; and
(ii)    except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, may not be used for the financial benefit or personal use of an individual or a group of individuals.
(2)    On approval of the County Executive or designee of the County Executive, proceeds may be used to benefit a family with medical needs.
(h)    A permit may not authorize the operation of a card game, card tournament, or casino event after 1 a.m. on Sunday.
(i)    (1)    An organization that is the permit holder may charge only a preset entrance fee for a card game, card tournament, or casino event.
(2)    Participants in a card game, card tournament, or casino event shall receive tokens for wagering in exchange for the entrance fee.
(3)    A participant may purchase additional tokens, at a total cost not exceeding 100% of the entrance fee, during a card game, card tournament, or casino event.
(4)    An organization that is the permit holder may not allow cash to be used for wagering.
(j)    An organization that is the permit holder may not exchange tokens used for wagering for:
(1)    an item of merchandise that is worth more than $10,000;
(2)    money; or
(3)    an item of merchandise having a value that is different from the fair market retail value of the item of merchandise that was received for the tokens.
(k)    Within 60 days after holding a card game, card tournament, or casino event, the organization that is the permit holder shall submit to the County Department of Permits and Inspections:
(1)    a financial report that lists the receipts and expenditures for the card game, card tournament, or casino event; and
(2)    the name, address, and Social Security number of a participant that is declared the winner at a card game, card tournament, or casino event of a prize for which the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W–2G or a substantially equivalent form is required.
(l)    An organization that is found to have violated this section is ineligible to receive a permit under this section for a period of 5 years.
(m)    The County Executive may adopt regulations to carry out this section, including regulations to govern:
(1)    the issuing of permits; and
(2)    the conduct and management of a card game, card tournament, or casino event in a manner to prevent fraud and protect the public.
(n)    The County Council may adopt regulations to govern permit fees under this section.