1. (a) This section does not apply to a raffle authorized under § 13-505.1 of this subtitle.
2. (b) Before an organization listed in subsection (c) of this section may operate a gaming event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the commissioner.

3. (c)

   1. (1) An organization that meets the conditions of paragraph (2) of this subsection may conduct a gaming event for the benefit of any of the following listed organizations if the organization is a bona fide:

      1. (i) religious organization;
      2. (ii) fraternal organization;
      3. (iii) civic organization;
      4. (iv) veterans' hospital;
      5. (v) amateur athletic organization in which all playing members are under the age of 18 years; or
      6. (vi) charitable organization.

   2. (2) An organization conducting a gaming event shall:

      1. (i) be located in Baltimore City; and

      2. (ii) spend a majority of the organization's funds in Baltimore City for:

         1. 1. fraternal purposes;
         2. 2. civic purposes;
         3. 3. purposes related to a veterans' hospital;
         4. 4. purposes related to amateur athletics; or
         5. 5. charitable purposes.

4. (d)

   1. (1) Before the commissioner may issue a permit, the commissioner shall review the character of the organization applying for the permit to ascertain that the organization meets the requirements of §§ 13-503 through 13-505 of this subtitle.
   2. (2) The commissioner shall make any application for a permit and the action taken by the commissioner on that application a matter of public record.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The permit shall state that the gaming event shall be managed and operated personally only by members of the organization obtaining the permit.
   2. (2) The permit is not transferable.

6. (f) An organization conducting a gaming event in Baltimore City may not allow an individual or group of individuals to:

   1. (1) benefit financially from the gaming event; or
   2. (2) receive any of the proceeds of the gaming event for personal use or benefit.

<Section effective until July 1, 2029. See, also, section 13-503 effective July 1, 2029.>

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2025, c. 372, § 1, eff. June 1, 2025; Acts 2026, c. 483, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026; Acts 2026, c. 484, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.

Formerly Art. 27, § 257.