1. A. Unless an individual holds a valid principal employee license issued by the Commission, the individual may not be employed by a licensee as a principal employee.

2. B. Qualification Requirements. The Commission may issue a principal employee license to an individual who is employed by a licensee, and who has:

   1. (1) Paid the application and license fee under §C of this regulation;
   2. (2) If required, obtained a bond required under Regulation .10 of this chapter;
   3. (3) Furnished the Commission with the personal and background information required under Regulation .02 this chapter; and
   4. (4) Provided the Commission with sufficient information to establish that the individual is qualified for a principal employee license.

3. C. Application and License Fees.

   1. (1) The application fee for a principal employee is:

      1. (a) $1,250 for a facility that will operate more than ten instant bingo machines; or
      2. (b) $150 for a facility that will operate ten or fewer instant bingo machines.

   2. (2) The license fee for a principal employee is:

      1. (a) $375 for a facility that will operate more than ten instant bingo machines; or
      2. (b) $150 for a facility that will operate ten or fewer instant bingo machines.
4. D. The principal employee license authorizes the licensee to function as a principal employee for any licensee in the State.

5. E. A principal employee may not play an instant bingo machine or other electronic gaming device at a facility:

   1. (1) Where the individual is employed; or
   2. (2) That is operated by the individual’s employer.
6. F. A licensee has a continuing duty to inform the Commission of an act or omission that the licensee knows or should know constitutes a violation under Maryland Criminal Law Article, §12-301.1, Annotated Code of Maryland or the Commission's regulations.

7. G. Term; Renewal; License Renewal Fee.

   1. (1) The term of a principal employee license is 5 years.

   2. (2) The Commission may renew the license if, before the term of the license expires, the licensee:

      1. (a) Applies for renewal;
      2. (b) Continues to comply with all licensing requirements;
      3. (c) Maintains employment as a principal employee;
      4. (d) Submits to a background investigation under Regulation .04 of this chapter; and

      5. (e) Pays a license renewal fee of:

         1. (i) $375 for a facility that will operate more than ten instant bingo machines; or
         2. (ii) $150 for a facility that will operate ten or fewer instant bingo machines.

8. H. Sponsored License.

   1. (1) The Commission may issue to a principal employee license applicant a sponsored license to permit the individual to legally work as a principal employee before the Commission’s licensing process is complete.
   2. (2) A licensed facility operator or manufacturer may submit an application for a sponsored license on behalf of an individual who is seeking a principal employee license.

   3. (3) An application for a sponsored license shall be in a format designated by the Commission and shall include:

      1. (a) A completed application for a principal employee license;
      2. (b) Payment of the fees required under §C of this regulation; and

      3. (c) Documentation to verify that the sponsor has:

         1. (i) Offered the individual at least conditional employment;
         2. (ii) Obtained bond as required under Regulation .10 of this chapter; and
         3. (iii) Performed, at a minimum, a Social Security database check, criminal check, employment verification, and a national database search.

   4. (4) The Commission may grant a sponsored license after:

      1. (a) Receiving all items required under §H(3) of this regulation; and

      2. (b) Performing on the individual a:

         1. (i) Criminal background investigation under Regulation .04; and
         2. (ii) Credit check.

   5. (5) A sponsored license:

      1. (a) Is valid for one nonrenewable 1-year term;
      2. (b) Is not transferable to employment with a different facility operator or manufacturer; and
      3. (c) Automatically converts to a principal employee license when the Commission notifies the sponsor that the individual meets the license qualification requirements under §B of this regulation.

Authority: State Government Article, §9-110; Criminal Law Article, §§12-301.1 and 12-308; Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.18 adopted as an emergency provision effective August 26, 2013 (40:20 Md. R. 1650); adopted permanently effective December 12, 2013 (40:24 Md. R. 2019)

Regulation .12A amended as an emergency provision effective December 12, 2023 (50:26 Md. R. 1130); amended permanently effective May 27, 2024 Md. R. 529)

Regulation .18 amended as an emergency provision effective December 12, 2023 (50:26 Md. R. 1130); amended permanently effective May 27, 2024 Md. R. 529)