1. (a) Before an organization listed in subsection (b) of this section may conduct a gaming event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the county Department of Permits and Inspections.

2. (b) An organization may conduct a gaming event for its own benefit if the organization is:

   1. (1) a bona fide:

      1. (i) religious organization;
      2. (ii) fraternal organization;
      3. (iii) civic organization;
      4. (iv) war veterans' organization;
      5. (v) hospital;
      6. (vi) amateur athletic organization;
      7. (vii) patriotic organization;
      8. (viii) educational organization; or
      9. (ix) charitable organization;

   2. (2) a Frederick County volunteer:

      1. (i) fire company;
      2. (ii) rescue company; or
      3. (iii) ambulance company; or

   3. (3) an auxiliary for a Frederick County volunteer:

      1. (i) fire company;
      2. (ii) rescue company; or
      3. (iii) ambulance company.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Before the county Department of Permits and Inspections may issue a gaming permit, the county Department of Permits and Inspections shall determine whether the organization applying for the gaming permit meets the requirements of this section.
   2. (2) An application and the action that the county Department of Permits and Inspections takes on the application are public records.

4. (d)

   1. (1)

      1. (i) A gaming permit is valid for 1 year after the date that it is issued.
      2. (ii) A gaming permit may not be transferred.
   2. (2) Frederick County may charge a permit fee.

5. (e)

   1. (1) Only members of an organization that holds a gaming permit may conduct the gaming event.
   2. (2) Except as allowed under § 13-1305 of this subtitle, an individual may not benefit financially from a gaming event.
   3. (3) A gaming permit authorizes a gaming event to be conducted on a Sunday during the hours of sale for the alcoholic beverages sold at the establishment where the gaming event is conducted.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The holder of a gaming permit may award:

      1. (i) prizes to individuals at a gaming event; and
      2. (ii) only one major prize at each gaming event.
   2. (2) During each calendar year, the holder of a gaming event, including a raffle for which the prize drawings are held on a single day, may not hold or receive the proceeds from more than four gaming events in which the major prize has a value of more than $5,000.
   3. (3) During each calendar year, the holder of a gaming event may hold one raffle in which prize drawings are held on more than a single day if the major prize has a value of $5,000 or less.
   4. (4) Frederick County may regulate the number of permits to conduct a raffle that an organization may receive in 1 calendar year.
7. (g) Frederick County may adopt regulations to carry out this section and §§ 13-1305 and 13-1307 of this subtitle.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 167, § 1, eff. June 1, 2006; Acts 2013, c. 227, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2013, c. 228, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Acts 2014, c. 97, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2017, c. 75, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2024, c. 689, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 690, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.

Formerly Art. 27, § 258A.