Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions — Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2501 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2501LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Committee” means the Gaming Advisory Committee established under § 13-2505 of this subtitle.
(c)
“Sheriff” means the Sheriff of Wicomico County.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2502 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This subtitle applies only in Wicomico County.
(b)
This subtitle does not authorize gambling using a slot machine or a coin machine.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2503 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2503LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The sheriff may issue a license to an organization listed in subsection (b) of this section to conduct a game that uses any of the following devices to award prizes of merchandise or money:
(1)
a paddle wheel;
(2)
a wheel of fortune;
(3)
a chance book;
(4)
bingo;
(5)
a raffle; or
(6)
any other gaming device.
(b)
To qualify for a license under this subtitle, an organization shall be:
(1)
a bona fide religious organization that has conducted religious services at a fixed location in the county for at least 5 years before the organization applies for a license;
(2)
a tax–supported volunteer fire company or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the fire company;
(3)
an organization that has been located in the county for at least 5 years before it applies for a license and is:
(i)
a nationally chartered veterans’ organization or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the veterans’ organization;
(ii)
a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(iii)
a nonprofit fraternal organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
(iv)
a nonprofit organization that:
(1)
intends to use the gaming license to raise money for an exclusively charitable, athletic, or educational purpose that meets the conditions of subsection (c) of this section; and
(2)
states the charitable, athletic, or educational purpose in the application to the sheriff.
(c)
For the purposes of subsection (b)(3)(iv) of this section, a purpose is considered a charitable, athletic, or educational purpose if the purpose:
(1)
meets the requirements for a charitable contribution under § 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(2)
does not benefit a:
(i)
law enforcement unit;
(ii)
fraternal organization for a law enforcement unit;
(iii)
political club;
(iv)
political committee;
(v)
political party; or
(vi)
unit of State government or a political subdivision of the State other than:
(1)
an ambulance company;
(2)
a fire fighting company;
(3)
a rescue company;
(4)
a primary school;
(5)
a secondary school; or
(6)
an institution of higher education.
(d)
(1)
An applicant for a license shall submit an application to the sheriff.
(2)
The application shall contain:
(i)
a copy of the tax–exempt verification of the organization;
(ii)
a copy of the applicant’s charter, if applicable; and
(iii)
a certification by a principal officer of the applicant stating:
(1)
the dates for which the license is sought;
(2)
the place at which the game will be conducted;
(3)
the type of game for which the license is sought;
(4)
that only the regular members of the applicant will conduct the games and operate the gaming device for which the license is sought;
(5)
that the applicant will not use the assistance of gaming professionals in conducting games or operating gaming devices;
(6)
that persons conducting the games and operating the gaming devices or assisting in conducting the games and operating the gaming devices will not receive compensation or reward; and
(7)
that all proceeds obtained under the license will be used to further the purposes of the organization.
(3)
The sheriff shall retain the copies of the applicant’s verification of tax exemption and charter.
(e)
(1)
The sheriff may issue a license:
(i)
for one or more specific dates; or
(ii)
for a period not exceeding 1 year.
(2)
The licensing year shall run from July 1 through the following June 30.
(3)
The license shall state:
(i)
the dates that the game will be conducted;
(ii)
the place that the game will be conducted; and
(iii)
the type of game authorized.
(f)
(1)
Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a licensee may not conduct a game on Sunday.
(2)
(i)
A licensee may operate a raffle on Sunday.
(ii)
A raffle is considered to be operated on the day that the licensee selects the raffle winner.
(iii)
The sheriff shall license a 50/50 game operated for a period of more than 1 day as a raffle.
(3)
A licensee may not allow a child who is under the age of 16 years to:
(i)
operate a game or gaming device for which a license is issued under this subtitle;
(ii)
conduct a game in which a gaming device is operated; or
(iii)
play or participate in a game in which a gaming device is operated.
(4)
The licensee may not pay a fee for the rental of the premises on which a game is conducted to:
(i)
itself;
(ii)
a trustee of the licensee;
(iii)
a committee of the licensee; or
(iv)
an organization with the same members or substantially the same members as the licensee.
(g)
The sheriff shall charge each applicant:
(1)
a license fee of $1 for each day for which a license is issued; and
(2)
the following additional amounts:
(i)
except as provided in items (ii) through (v) of this item, $1 for each gaming device to be operated each day;
(ii)
$1 for each day that a pull tab or instant bingo device is to be sold;
(iii)
$1 for each day that a bingo event is to be conducted;
(iv)
$1 for each day that a bingo special event is to be conducted; and
(v)
$1 for each raffle to be conducted.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2504 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2504LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection, a principal officer of a licensee shall file a report under oath with the sheriff on the form that the sheriff provides.
(2)
(i)
A licensee that is issued a license for a period of less than 1 year shall file the report within 15 days after the date that the license expires.
(ii)
A licensee that is issued a license for a period of 1 year shall file:
(1)
a semiannual report on or before January 31 of the licensing year; and
(2)
an annual report within 30 days after the date that the license expires.
(3)
(i)
A licensee also shall keep a weekly report in the form that the sheriff requires.
(ii)
The weekly report shall be completed under oath.
(iii)
The weekly report is subject to audit at a reasonable hour by:
(1)
the sheriff;
(2)
the State’s Attorney for the county; or
(3)
a representative of the sheriff or the State’s Attorney.
(b)
The report that a licensee submits to the sheriff shall:
(1)
state whether the authorized activities were conducted:
(i)
on the dates and at the location stated in the application; and
(ii)
by the regular members of the licensee without the assistance of gaming professionals;
(2)
report the amount of the proceeds obtained from the licensed activities;
(3)
report the disbursements made in connection with the licensed activities; and
(4)
state that the licensee has not paid a fee for the rental of premises on which the game was conducted to:
(i)
itself;
(ii)
a trustee of the licensee;
(iii)
a committee of the licensee; or
(iv)
any organization with the same members or substantially the same members as the licensee.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2505 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2505LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
There is a Gaming Advisory Committee in the county.
(2)
The members of the committee are appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the sheriff.
(3)
The members of the committee may not receive compensation.
(b)
The committee shall:
(1)
recommend to the sheriff standards for reporting requirements for licensees;
(2)
examine the audits and reports required under § 13-2504 of this subtitle; and
(3)
make any other recommendations to assist the sheriff in the administration of licensing and other duties of the sheriff under this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2506 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2506LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The sheriff shall suspend a license if the licensee fails to comply with the reporting requirements of § 13-2504 of this subtitle.
(2)
The suspension shall continue until the licensee meets the reporting requirements of § 13-2504 of this subtitle.
(b)
Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section and subject to the procedures provided in subsection (c) of this section, the sheriff may not issue a new license for 1 year to a licensee that:
(1)
has refused to file a report required under § 13-2504 of this subtitle; or
(2)
has failed to comply with this subtitle.
(c)
(1)
The sheriff shall notify the licensee or applicant for a license by registered mail of the sheriff’s suspension or refusal to issue a license.
(2)
The licensee or applicant may appeal the decision in writing to the sheriff within 30 days after receiving the notice from the sheriff.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2507 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2507LinkCopy Citation
A party may seek judicial review of:
(1)
the sheriff’s suspension of a license under this subtitle; or
(2)
the sheriff’s refusal to issue a license under this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 13-2508 (2026)
Title 13. Gaming -- Local Provisions
Subtitle 25. Wicomico County
§ 13–2508LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle shall be enforced by:
(1)
the sheriff;
(2)
any municipal police officer in the county;
(3)
any other law enforcement officer of the county; and
(4)
any prosecutor of the county.