In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “County commissioners” means the Board of County Commissioners of Carroll County. “Gaming event” means a carnival, bazaar, raffle, or other game of entertainment.

This subtitle applies only in Carroll County. Subject to this subtitle, Subtitle 2 of this title applies in Carroll County.

Before an organization may conduct a gaming event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the county commissioners. To conduct bingo or a gaming event an organization must be a bona fide: religious organization; fraternal organization; civic organization; war veterans’ organization; hospital; amateur athletic organization; charitable organization; or volunteer fire company. Before the county commissioners issue a permit, they shall determine whether the organization applying for the permit qualifies under this subtitle and the conditions of this subtitle are met. An application for a permit and the action taken by the county commissioners on that application are public records. The permit shall state that the gaming event shall be managed and operated only by members of the organization holding the permit. A permit is not transferable. A gaming event conducted under this section shall be conducted for the benefit of an organization listed in subsection (b) of this section. An individual or group of individuals may not benefit financially, or receive proceeds for personal use or benefit, from a gaming event conducted under this section. Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iv) of this paragraph, an organization conducting a gaming event may award a money prize not exceeding $100 or merchandise not exceeding $100 of value to any individual in any one game. The maximum amount of a prize awarded in a raffle is governed by § 13–904(c) of this subtitle. The maximum amount of a prize awarded in a paddle wheel or wheel of fortune game is governed by § 13–905(a) of this subtitle. The maximum amount of a prize awarded in bingo is governed by § 13–908 of this subtitle.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Multi-drawing raffle” means a raffle for which the drawings are held on more than 1 day. “Raffle” means one or more drawings using a single series of chances sold in chance books or similar devices, at which one or more prizes are awarded. “Single-drawing raffle” means a raffle for which the drawings are held on a single day. At a gaming event, the holder of a raffle may award a prize of money or merchandise using a chance book. A single–drawing raffle may have only one major prize. During a year, an organization listed in § 13–903 of this subtitle may hold not more than: six single–drawing raffles in which the major prize is worth $2,500 or more; or ten single–drawing raffles in which the major prize is worth less than $2,500. An organization listed in § 13–903 of this subtitle may not hold: more than 52 weekly drawings in a multi–drawing raffle; or more than two multi–drawing raffles during a year.

Notwithstanding § 13-903 of this subtitle, an organization listed in § 13-903 of this subtitle that operates a paddle wheel or wheel of fortune game at a gaming event may not award a prize to a person in any one game or spin of the wheel of: money that exceeds $10; or merchandise with a value that exceeds $250. An organization listed in § 13-903 of this subtitle may not hold more than 10 days of paddle-wheel games in a calendar year. An organization listed in § 13-903 or § 13-907 of this subtitle may award a prize of money or merchandise using a gaming device other than a card game, dice game, or roulette.

A senior center site council may conduct billiards in a senior center 5 days per week, excluding Sunday. A senior center site council may not award a prize of money to a winner exceeding $5 in each session. A senior center site council may conduct a billiards tournament with a maximum entry fee of $2 for each participant. Prizes of money may be awarded to first, second, and third place winners from the entry fee money collected. All money that remains after prizes are awarded shall be distributed to the senior center site council.

Notwithstanding § 13–903 of this subtitle and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and § 13–906.1 of this subtitle, a person may not conduct a card game, dice game, roulette, or casino event. A senior center site council may conduct a card game in a senior center 5 days per week, excluding Sunday. A senior center site council may not: award a prize of money exceeding $5 to a winner in each session; and charge a participant more than $1 to play one session. All money that remains after prizes are awarded shall be distributed to the senior center site council.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. “Casino event” includes the play of card games, dice games, and roulette. “Permit” means a permit to conduct a card game, card tournament, or casino event. Before an organization may conduct a card game, card tournament, or casino event, the organization shall obtain a permit from the Board of County Commissioners for Carroll County. To qualify for a permit, an organization shall be a bona fide: amateur athletic organization; charitable organization; civic organization; fraternal organization; hospital; religious organization; volunteer fire company; or war veterans’ organization. A card game, card tournament, or casino event may be: managed and operated by the organization that is the permit holder; or managed by the organization that is the permit holder and operated by another organization listed in subsection (c) of this section. An operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event may not receive compensation. To volunteer as an operator of a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 18 years old. To participate in a card game, card tournament, or casino event, an individual shall be at least 21 years old. An organization that is the permit holder may receive not more than four permits in a calendar year. A card game, card tournament, or casino event may not last longer than 24 consecutive hours. A permit is not transferable. Proceeds from a card game, card tournament, or casino event conducted under this section: shall be used to benefit a charity or to further the purpose of the permit holder; and except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, may not be used for the financial benefit or the personal use of an individual or a group of individuals. On approval of the Board of County Commissioners for Carroll County, proceeds may be used to benefit a family with medical needs. An organization that is the permit holder may charge only a preset entrance fee for a card game, card tournament, or casino event. Participants in a card game, card tournament, or casino event shall receive tokens for wagering in exchange for the entrance fee. A participant may purchase additional tokens, at a total cost not exceeding 100% of the entrance fee, during a card game, card tournament, or casino event. An organization that is the permit holder may not allow cash to be used for wagering. An organization that is the permit holder may not exchange tokens used in wagering for: an item of merchandise that is worth more than $10,000; money; or an item of merchandise having a value that is different from the fair market retail value of the item of merchandise that was received for the tokens. Within 60 days after holding a card game, card tournament, or casino event, the organization that is the permit holder shall submit to the Board of County Commissioners for Carroll County: a financial report that lists the receipts and expenditures for the card game, card tournament, or casino event; and the name, address, and Social Security number of a participant that is declared the winner at a card game, card tournament, or casino event of a prize for which issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W–2G or a substantially equivalent form is required. In addition to being subject to § 13–909 of this subtitle, an organization that is found to have violated this section is ineligible to receive a permit under this section for a period of 5 years. The Board of County Commissioners for Carroll County may adopt regulations to carry out this section, including regulations to govern: the issuing of permits; permit fees; and the conduct and management of a card game, card tournament, or casino event in a manner to prevent fraud and protect the public.

Before an organization may conduct bingo under this subtitle, the organization shall obtain a permit from the county commissioners. In this subsection, “qualified organization” means a bona fide: religious organization; fraternal organization; patriotic organization; educational organization; charitable organization; volunteer fire company; or senior center site council. A qualified organization may conduct bingo in the county to benefit charity or to further the purpose of the qualified organization. A senior center site council may obtain a permit to conduct bingo in a senior center 5 days per week, excluding Sunday. A senior center site council may not: award a prize of money to a winner exceeding $50 in each session; or charge more than 5 cents for each bingo card. All money that remains after prizes are awarded shall be distributed to the senior center site council. An applicant for a permit shall pay the fee that the county commissioners set. The county commissioners shall set the permit fee at a level sufficient to cover the costs of issuing the permit. Only the holder of a permit issued under this section may conduct bingo authorized by the permit. The holder of a permit issued under this section may not transfer or assign the right to conduct bingo to another person.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and § 13-907(c)(2)(i) of this subtitle, a permit holder may not award a money prize greater than: $100 to a player of a regular bingo game; or $250 to a player of a special bingo game, such as a build-up or progressive pot game, split-the-pot game, or winner-take-all game. A permit holder may award a jackpot not exceeding $1,000 if the jackpot is directly connected with the playing of bingo.

A person may not knowingly operate or attempt to operate a gaming event in violation of this subtitle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.