1. (a) A person authorized to conduct bingo under this subtitle shall obtain a bingo permit from the county Department of Permits and Inspections.

2. (b) Any of the following organizations, if a legal resident of the county, may conduct bingo to benefit charity in the county or to further the purposes of one of the following organizations:

   1. (1) a bona fide:

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

   2. (2) a volunteer:

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

   3. (3) an auxiliary for a volunteer:

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

3. (c)

   1. (1) A person who is not a legal resident of Frederick County may not conduct bingo.
   2. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, each year the Frederick County Agricultural Association may sell or lease a right or concession to any person to conduct bingo at the Frederick County Fair.

4. (d)

   1. (1) To qualify for a bingo permit, a person shall meet the requirements set by Frederick County.
   2. (2) The county may require an applicant for a bingo permit to pay a permit fee set by the county.

5. (e) A person who conducts bingo may not offer or award:

   1. (1) a prize or award with a fair market value exceeding $5,000; or
   2. (2) a money prize exceeding $5,000.
6. (f) Frederick County may adopt regulations to carry out this section.

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2014, c. 645, § 1, eff. Dec. 1, 2014; Acts 2024, c. 689, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024; Acts 2024, c. 690, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.

Formerly Art. 27, § 249.