2016 Maryland Code
Criminal Law
Title 13 - Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 13 - Frederick County
§ 13-1304.1. Card game, card tournament, or casino event.

(a) Definitions. --

(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) Permit required. -- 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) Eligible organizations. -- 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) Management and operation; participants. --

(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) Limitations. --

(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) Permit not transferable. -- A permit is not transferable.

(g) Use of proceeds. --

(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) Hours of operation. -- A permit may not authorize the operation of a card game, card tournament, or casino event after 1 a.m. on Sunday.

(i) Fees and tokens; cash prohibited. --

(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) Exchange of tokens. -- 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) Reports. -- 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) Violations; penalty. -- 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) Regulations -- County Executive. -- 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) Regulations -- County Council. -- The County Council may adopt regulations to govern permit fees under this section.