In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Committee” means the Gambling Permit Review Committee appointed by the county commissioners under § 13-704 of this subtitle. “County commissioners” means the Board of County Commissioners of Calvert County. “Gaming event” includes a carnival and a bazaar.

This subtitle applies only in Calvert County. Subtitle 2 of this title applies in Calvert County.

Before an organization may conduct a gaming event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the county commissioners. An organization may conduct a gaming event in the county if the organization is: a volunteer fire company; or a bona fide: religious organization; fraternal organization; civic organization; war veterans’ organization; or charitable organization. The permit shall state: the nature of any gaming device to be operated at the gaming event; and the frequency with which the gaming event will be conducted. The county commissioners may charge a reasonable fee for a permit.

The county commissioners shall appoint a Gambling Permit Review Committee. The committee consists of five regular members and two alternate members. A quorum of the committee consists of: three regular members; or if fewer than three regular members are present at a meeting, enough alternate members designated by the chairperson to act as regular members to create a quorum. An alternate member of the committee may serve only as provided under paragraph (3) of this subsection. Subject to the approval of the county commissioners, the committee shall adopt regulations to govern gambling activities and the issuance of permits under § 13-703 of this subtitle.

For purposes of this section, a game of instant bingo conducted under a Class NG beach license is considered to be bingo. Before a person may conduct bingo in the county, the person shall obtain a license from the county commissioners. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a person who complies with this section may conduct bingo in the county. The county commissioners may not issue a license unless the application was filed at least 30 days before the date of issuance. An applicant for a license shall: file an application on a form that the county commissioners provide; and sign the application under oath. The application shall include: the name of the applicant; the address of the applicant; any trade name of the applicant; if the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner; if the applicant is a corporation, the name and address of each officer of the corporation; if a resident agent is required under paragraph (3) of this subsection, the name and address of the applicant’s resident agent; the name and address of any person having a financial interest in the operation of the proposed bingo; and the signatures of all of the individuals listed in items 1 through 7 of this subparagraph indicating consent to individual liability for any unlawful operation of licensed bingo. The county commissioners may refuse to issue a license based on the facts disclosed on an application. Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not require the county commissioners to investigate an applicant’s statements on the application before issuing a license. Each applicant for a license shall present evidence to the county commissioners that the applicant has obtained a public liability insurance policy that: covers the period covered by the proposed license; provides coverage for personal injury to: any bingo patron in an amount not less than $100,000; and more than one bingo patron in an amount not less than $500,000. Each nonresident applicant for a license shall designate a resident agent. A resident agent must be: a voter in the county; a taxpayer of the county; and an owner of property in the county assessed at not less than $25,000. The county commissioners may issue the following licenses: a Class NA license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 750 individuals; a Class NB license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals; a Class NC license, for bingo that does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals; a Class ND beach license, for bingo that: does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals; may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and may be operated between May 1 and September 30; a Class NE beach license, for bingo that: does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 1,000 individuals; may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and may be operated between May 1 and September 30; a Class NF beach license, for bingo that: does not exceed a seating or player capacity of 500 individuals; may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and may be operated throughout the year; or a Class NG beach license, for bingo that: does not have a limitation on seating or player capacity; may be operated within the town limits of North Beach or Chesapeake Beach; and may be operated throughout the year. The county commissioners shall: retain a copy of each license issued; issue a copy of the license to the license holder; and forward a copy of the license to the State Comptroller. A license is not transferable. The county commissioners shall assess the following annual license fees: $3,500 for a Class NA license; $3,000 for a Class NB license; $4,000 for a Class NC license; $500 for a Class ND beach license; $1,000 for a Class NE beach license; $3,000 for a Class NF beach license; and $5,000 for a Class NG beach license. The county commissioners may not issue a license if the conduct of bingo would: unduly disturb the peace of the neighborhood in which the applicant proposes to conduct bingo; create a nuisance; or be detrimental to the health or welfare of the community. The county commissioners may not issue a license to conduct bingo in a building that is not permanent and covered by a roof. This paragraph does not apply to a person who is not required to obtain a license to conduct bingo. The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo on Sunday: a Class NA license; a Class NB license; or a Class NC license. The following licenses may not allow the conduct of bingo before 1 p.m. on Sunday: a Class ND beach license; a Class NE beach license; or a Class NF beach license. A Class NG beach license may not allow the conduct of bingo between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The following organizations are not required to obtain a license under § 13-705 of this subtitle to conduct bingo: a religious organization; a patriotic organization; an educational organization; a charitable or benevolent organization; a civic organization; a volunteer fire company; or any other organization that is authorized under § 13-703 of this subtitle and Subtitle 2 of this title to conduct bingo in the county.

A license holder may issue as a prize or award to the patron of licensed bingo: merchandise; money; a token or ticket redeemable for money or merchandise; or any other thing of value. Except as provided under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a license holder may not issue for one game a prize or award with a value exceeding $100. A holder of a Class NG beach license may issue for one game a prize with a value exceeding $100. A license holder may issue once each day: a grand prize not exceeding $1,500; and a grand prize not exceeding $3,000 in retail value.

In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the county commissioners may revoke a bingo license forthwith if: the county commissioners determine after an investigation that: the license holder made a false statement in the application for the license; or the conduct of licensed bingo at the premises named in the license would: disturb the peace of the neighborhood; create a nuisance; or be detrimental to the morals, health, or welfare of the community; or the license holder is convicted of: violating §§ 13-705 through 13-707 of this subtitle; or a felony.

The county commissioners may adopt regulations to govern: the conduct or play of bingo; the issuance of bingo licenses; the setting of fees for bingo licenses; and the determination of the election districts and precincts in which bingo may be conducted. In adopting regulations, the county commissioners shall ensure uniform application as to: the determination of the districts and precincts in which bingo may be conducted; and the setting of fees.