(a)(1) A qualified organization may conduct bingo in the county to benefit charity or to further the purpose of the qualified organization.
(2) Bingo shall be conducted only by the qualified organization and not by a person who:
(i) retains a portion of the proceeds from the bingo game; or
(ii) is compensated by the qualified organization for which the bingo is held.
(3) A person may not receive a private profit from the proceeds of bingo.
(4) A qualified organization that conducts bingo shall:
(i) keep accurate records of all transactions that occur on behalf of the bingo game;
(ii) keep the records for 2 years after the bingo game; and
(iii) on request, make the records available for examination by:
1. the State's Attorney for the county;
2. the county sheriff;
3. the county Department of Health and Human Services;
4. the county attorney;
5. the Department of State Police; or
6. a designated officer or agent of any of those units.
(5) A person conducting bingo shall be a resident of the county and a member of the qualified organization.
(6) Alcoholic beverages may not be sold or consumed in the room in which bingo is conducted, either during a game or an intermission between games.
(7) Money prizes not exceeding $1,000 in each game may be awarded in bingo.
(8) The qualified organization may sell breakout tickets in the room in which bingo is conducted, either during a game or an intermission between games.
Montgomery County Fair
(b)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, a person may conduct bingo at the annual Montgomery County Fair for the benefit of the Montgomery County Agricultural Center, Inc.
(2) A person who conducts bingo under this subsection may award only noncash prizes.
Montgomery County residential property
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, in Montgomery County, an individual who is at least 55 years old may conduct a bingo game involving cash prizes if the game:
(1) is conducted not more than once a week in a common area of a residential property that is restricted to residents who are at least 55 years old;
(2) allows a player to compete directly against one or more other players who are residents of the residential property where the game is held;
(3) does not allow an individual or an organization to benefit financially in any way, directly or indirectly, other than from the winnings accrued by participating as a player in the game;
(4) does not involve:
(i) a player's use of an electronic device that connects to the Internet;
(ii) the use of paid public advertising or promotions;
(iii) the charging of a fee for admission, a seat, entertainment, or any other fee; or
(iv) the use of any money, except money used for purchasing bingo cards or food or drink; and
(5) has a limit of $1,000 on the total amount of money, tokens representing money, or any other thing or consideration of value that may be won by all players during any 24-hour period.
Credits
Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2005, c. 211, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005; Acts 2019, c. 170, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019.
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
