# State Government (GSG)

## Title 9. Miscellaneous Executive Agencies

### Subtitle 1B. Amusement Gaming Licenses

#### Section 9-1B-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Commission" means the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission.

(c)

  (1) "Family entertainment center" means a location with a street address:

    (i) where a person or legal entity offers licensed amusement, merchandise, redemption, or skills-based devices for operation or play to individuals of all ages; and

    (ii) that pays:

      (1) State and local property tax;

      (2) sales and use tax; and

      (3) admissions and amusement tax.

  (2) "Family entertainment center" does not include:

    (i) a location without a street address;

    (ii) the common area of a commercial building or facility; or

    (iii) a location that is operated primarily as a movie theater, bowling alley, skating rink, or any other similar establishment that displays or operates amusement devices only during the hours that the establishment makes its primary service or activity available to the public.

#### Section 9-1B-02

(a) This section applies only in Worcester County.

(b) The Commission may issue an amusement gaming license to a family entertainment center that satisfies the requirements of this section.

(c) A family entertainment center may apply to the Commission for a license under this section if the family entertainment center:

  (1) is located in a building that is owned, leased, or occupied by the family entertainment center for the primary purpose of providing amusement devices to the public;

  (2) receives a majority of the gross receipts from amusement, merchandise, redemption, or skills-based devices;

  (3) markets its business to families with children;

  (4) offers amusement devices, arcade games, crane games, video games, interactive and sporting games, amusement rides, miniature golf, and bowling; and

  (5) is in continuous operation in the same geographic location since 1975.

(d)

  (1) A family entertainment center that holds an amusement gaming license issued under this section may operate:

    (i) skills-based devices that award noncash prizes of minimal value; and

    (ii) up to 10 skills-based devices that award noncash prizes with a minimal wholesale value that does not exceed $599.

  (2) The Commission shall determine the value of the noncash prizes that may be awarded by a skills-based device under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection.

(e) A family entertainment center may not exchange merchandise for money.

(f) The Commission may determine that a device at a family entertainment center is an illegal gaming device and order the device to be removed from the family entertainment center.

(g) A family entertainment center that holds an amusement gaming license issued under this section may not transfer the license to another geographic location.

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Md. Code Ann., State Gov't (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)