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<section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="12-301.1" title_number="12" title_name="Gaming -- Statewide Provisions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Slot Machines">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this subtitle, “Commission” means the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection and consistent with the provisions of this title and Title 13 of this article, the Commission shall certify and regulate the operation, ownership, and manufacture of an electronic gaming device authorized under this title.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>This section does not apply to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the ownership or operation of slot machines that are subject to regulation by the Comptroller under § 12–304 of this subtitle; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>paper tip jar gaming where authorized.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <level label="i">
        <text>This paragraph applies only in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>If a local law enforcement agency refuses to enforce a provision regarding the legal operation of amusement games, the Commission shall refer the matter to the appropriate office of the State’s Attorney.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The Commission shall adopt regulations that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>define lawful and unlawful electronic and mechanical equipment used in connection with gaming devices that are consistent with this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>approve and license electronic gaming devices authorized under State law;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>approve and license owners, operators, and manufacturers of electronic gaming devices authorized under State law;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>establish procedures for the license application and renewal processes required under this section; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>establish license fees, effective on July 1, 2016, that are sufficient to cover the direct and indirect costs of licensure required under this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Commission may determine:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>that a county’s licensing and regulatory process for electronic gaming devices is equivalent to the State licensing and regulatory process required under this section; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>that a county license for owning, operating, or manufacturing an electronic gaming device in that county is equivalent to a State license.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If the Commission does not make a determination under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the regulations and licensing requirements of the Commission shall supersede:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the application of any county fees or regulations and licensing requirements for electronic gaming devices under this subsection; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>a requirement for a county license for owning, operating, or manufacturing an electronic gaming device under this subsection.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>This subsection does not apply to an electronic instant bingo machine authorized under § 12–308 of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>An electronic gaming device that is not licensed or otherwise operated in compliance with the provisions of this section as of January 1, 2013, is an illegal gaming device that may not legally operate in the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>There is a Maryland Amusement Game Advisory Committee.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Advisory Committee shall advise the Commission on the conduct and technical aspects of the amusement game industry, including recommendations for the legality of skills–based amusement games.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Advisory Committee consists of:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the following members appointed by the Governor:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>two members selected from a list of five names submitted by the Maryland Amusement and Music Operators Association;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>one member who is a local government official selected from a list of names submitted by the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>one member who is a local law enforcement officer; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>one citizen representative; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the Director of the Commission, or the Director’s designee, who shall serve as a nonvoting member of the Advisory Committee.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Governor shall designate the chair of the Advisory Committee.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>The Commission shall provide staff for the Advisory Committee.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>A member of the Advisory Committee:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Committee; but</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
