Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions — Subtitle 16. Howard County
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-1601 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 16. Howard County
§ 13–1601LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This subtitle applies only in Howard County.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, Subtitle 2 of this title applies in Howard County.
(2)
Subtitle 2 of this title does not apply to bingo regulated under § 13–1602 of this subtitle or a casino event regulated under § 13–1602.1 of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-1602 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 16. Howard County
§ 13–1602LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Any of the following organizations may conduct bingo to benefit charity in the county or to further the purposes of the organization:
(1)
a bona fide:
(i)
religious organization;
(ii)
fraternal organization;
(iii)
patriotic organization;
(iv)
educational organization; or
(v)
charitable organization; or
(2)
a volunteer fire company.
(b)
A person who is not a legal resident of the county may not conduct bingo in the county, even if the game is for the benefit of an organization listed in subsection (a) of this section.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-1602.1 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 16. Howard County
§ 13–1602.1LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “Department” means the Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits.
(b)
(1)
Before an organization listed in subsection (d) of this section may operate a casino event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the Department.
(2)
(i)
On the recommendation of the Department, the County Executive shall forward to the County Council a recommendation for the fee to be charged for a permit under this section.
(ii)
The County Council shall adopt by resolution the amount of the permit fee.
(c)
Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, an organization may conduct:
(1)
one casino event that includes a card game during each calendar month; and
(2)
one casino event that includes roulette during each calendar year.
(d)
To conduct a casino event under subsection (c) of this section, an organization shall be:
(1)
a bona fide volunteer fire company; or
(2)
a bona fide war veterans’ organization.
(e)
(1)
A permit holder for a casino event that includes a card game or roulette shall ensure that:
(i)
an individual or group of individuals does not benefit financially from the holding of the casino event;
(ii)
an individual or group of individuals does not receive any of the proceeds of the casino event for personal use or benefit;
(iii)
the casino event is managed personally by the members of the permit holder;
(iv)
a parent, a subsidiary, or an affiliate of the organization sponsoring the event has not sponsored a casino event within the calendar month or calendar year, as appropriate; and
(v)
the casino event is conducted between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.
(2)
(i)
An organization that is the permit holder may charge only a preset entrance fee for a casino event.
(ii)
Participants in a casino event shall receive tokens for wagering in exchange for the entrance fee.
(iii)
A participant may purchase additional tokens, at a total cost not exceeding 100% of the entrance fee, during a casino event.
(iv)
An organization that is the permit holder may not allow cash to be used for wagering.
(3)
A person that holds a casino event that includes a card game or roulette may not:
(i)
offer or award cumulative prizes that have a fair market value in excess of $5,000 at the event;
(ii)
allow a player to bet more than $10 in tokens in any one game within the calendar month or calendar year, as appropriate;
(iii)
exchange tokens used in wagering for an item of merchandise that is worth more than $1,000; or
(iv)
exchange merchandise that was received for tokens that were used in wagering for an item of merchandise having a value that is different from the fair retail market value of the item of merchandise that was received for the tokens.
(4)
(i)
To volunteer as an operator at a casino event, an individual shall be at least 18 years old.
(ii)
To participate in a casino event, an individual shall be at least 21 years old.
(5)
(i)
Within 60 days after holding a casino event that includes a card game or roulette, the holder of the permit for the event shall submit to the Department:
(1)
a financial report that lists the receipts and expenditures for the casino event; and
(2)
the name, address, and Social Security number of a participant that is declared the winner at a casino event of a prize for which the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W–2G or a substantially equivalent form is required.
(ii)
Before the permit holder submits the report to the Department, the permit holder shall submit the report to the county police department for review.
(f)
(1)
The Department shall adopt regulations to govern:
(i)
the issuance of a permit to conduct a casino event; and
(ii)
the conduct and management of a casino event in a manner designed to prevent fraud and to protect the public.
(2)
The regulations shall require that a separate permit be issued for each casino event to be conducted.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-1603 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 16. Howard County
§ 13–1603LinkCopy Citation
A qualified organization under Subtitle 2 of this title may award prizes in money or merchandise using:
(1)
a paddle wheel;
(2)
a wheel of fortune;
(3)
a chance book;
(4)
bingo; or
(5)
any other gaming device other than:
(i)
a card game or roulette, except as provided in § 13–1602.1 of this subtitle; or
(ii)
a dice game.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-1604 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 16. Howard County
§ 13–1604LinkCopy Citation
Notwithstanding Subtitle 2 of this title and except as provided in § 13–1602.1 of this subtitle, a person may not conduct a casino night or operate any of the following gaming devices:
(1)
a card game;
(2)
a dice game; or
(3)
roulette.