Sec. 12-101 Definitions:

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

(c) Credit.-
(1) "Credit" means payment by a credit card or promissory note.
(2) "Credit" includes selling or pledging personal property in exchange for cash or tokens.
(d) Gaming device.-
(1) "Gaming device" means:
(i) a gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is played for money or any other thing or consideration of value; or
(ii) a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration of value is bet, wagered, or gambled.
(e) Gaming event.- "Gaming event" means:
(1) a bingo game;
(2) a carnival;
(3) a bazaar;
(4) a raffle;
(5) a benefit performance; or
(6) any other event at which a gaming device is operated.
(f) Organization.- "Organization" includes:
(1) a fraternal, religious, civic, patriotic, educational, or charitable organization;
(2) a volunteer fire company, rescue squad, or auxiliary unit;
(3) a veterans' organization or club;
(4) a bona fide nonprofit organization that is raising money for an exclusively charitable, athletic, or educational purpose; or
(5) any organization that is authorized to conduct a gaming event under Subtitle 1 or 2 of this title or Title 13 of this article.
....

(h) Token.- "Token" means a poker chip, bingo chip, or other device commonly used instead of money in the playing of a gaming device.

§ 12-102. Betting, wagering, gambling, etc.

(a) Prohibited.- A person may not:
(1) bet, wager, or gamble;

(2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency;
(3) establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of:
(i) betting, wagering, or gambling; or
(ii) making, selling, or buying books or pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or
(4) receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or contingency.

(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both.

§ 12-103. Playing certain games.

(a) Prohibited.- For money or any other thing or consideration of value, a person may not play:
(1) the game called "thimbles";
(2) the game called "little joker";
(3) dice or the game commonly called "craps"; or
(4) any other gaming device or fraudulent trick.

(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.

§ 12-104. Gaming device, or building, vessel, or place for gambling.

(a) Prohibited.- A person may not:
(1) keep a gaming device, or all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water within the State for the purpose of gambling;
(2) own, rent, or occupy all or a part of a building, vessel, or place and knowingly allow a gaming device to be kept in the building, vessel, or place;
(3) lease or rent all or a part of a building, vessel, or place to be used for the purpose of gambling;
(4) deal at a gaming device or in a building, vessel, or place for gambling;
(5) manage a gaming device or a building, vessel, or place for gambling; or
(6) have an interest in a gaming device or the profits of a gaming device.

(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

§ 12-105. Gambling on vessel or building or other structure on or over water within the State.

(a) Construction of section.- This section:
(1) applies notwithstanding the issuance of a license or permit through or by a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State; and
(2) does not authorize an act that is otherwise prohibited by law.

(b) Prohibited - Gaming device on or over waters of the State.- A person may not bet, wager, or gamble or keep, conduct, maintain, or operate a gaming device on:
(1) a vessel or a part of a vessel on water within the State, except as provided in § 6-209 of the Transportation Article; or
(2) all or a part of a building or other structure that is built on or over water within the State, if the building or other structure cannot be entered from the shore of the State by a person on foot.

(c) Same - Keeping vessel or structure for gaming device.- To conduct, maintain, or operate a gaming device, a person may not establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied:
(1) a vessel on water within the State; or
(2) a building or other structure that is built on or over water within the State, if the building or other structure cannot be entered from the shore of the State by a person on foot.

(d) Penalty.- 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 of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation.

§ 12-106. Raffles.

(a) Charitable organization.-
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, Subtitle 2 of this title, or Title 13 of this article and except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a bona fide charitable organization in this State may conduct a raffle for the exclusive benefit of the charitable organization if the prize awarded is real property:
(i) to which the charitable organization holds title; or
(ii) for which the charitable organization has the ability to convey title.
(2) A charitable organization may not conduct more than two raffles of real property in a calendar year.
(3) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations governing a raffle of real property by a charitable organization under this subsection.

(b) Political committee or candidate for public office.-
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article and except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a political committee or candidate for public office may conduct a raffle if the prizes awarded are money or merchandise.
(2) (i) The cost of a raffle ticket under this subsection may not exceed $5.
(ii) An individual may not purchase more than $50 worth of tickets.
(3) This subsection does not relieve a political committee or candidate from the reporting and record keeping requirements under the Election Law Article.

§ 12-107. Pari-mutuel betting.

(a) Construction of section.-
(1) The prohibition in subsection (b) of this section applies notwithstanding a license or permit granted through or by a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of this State.
(2) This section does not apply to:
(i) pari-mutuel betting conducted under the Maryland Horse Racing Act;
(ii) bingo, carnivals, raffles, bazaars, or similar games of entertainment; or
(iii) mechanical or electrical devices, commonly known as slot machines, that are authorized in the State and that require the insertion of a coin or token.

(b) Prohibited.- A person may not conduct or operate with pari-mutuel betting, or with any similar form of betting, wagering, or gambling:
(1) the game, contest, or event commonly known as "jai alai"; or
(2) any other game, contest, or event.

(c) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.

....

§ 12-110. Recovery of gambling loss.

(a) In general.- A person who loses money at a gaming device that is prohibited by this subtitle, Subtitle 2 of this title, or Title 13 of this article:
(1) may recover the money as if it were a common debt; and
(2) is a competent witness to prove the loss.

(b) Limitation.- Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a person may not recover money or any other thing that the person won by betting at a gaming device prohibited by this subtitle, Subtitle 2 of this title, or Title 13 of this article.

§ 12-201. "Lottery device" defined.

In this subtitle, "lottery device" means a policy, certificate, or other thing by which a person promises or guarantees that a number, character, ticket, or certificate will, when an event or contingency occurs, entitle the purchaser or holder to receive money, property, or evidence of debt.

§ 12-202. Scope of subtitle.

(a) In general.- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle applies to all lotteries, including those authorized by any other state or foreign country.
(b) Exception.- This subtitle does not apply to the State lottery established under Title 9, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.

§ 12-203. Sales and draw of lottery devices.

(a) Prohibited.- A person may not:
(1) hold a lottery in this State; or
(2) sell a lottery device in the State for a lottery drawn in this State or elsewhere.

(b) Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 3 months and not exceeding 12 months or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation.

(c) Civil recovery.- In addition to the penalty provided under subsection (b) of this section, a person who gives money or any other thing to purchase or obtain a lottery device, for each lottery device purchased or obtained, may recover $50 from:
(1) the person to whom the money or other thing was given; or
(2) any person who aided or abetted that person.

§ 12-301. "Slot machine" defined.

In this subtitle:
(1) "slot machine" means a machine, apparatus, or device that:
(i) operates or can be made to operate by inserting, depositing, or placing with another person money, a token, or another object; and
(ii) through the element of chance or any other outcome unpredictable by the user, awards the user:
1. money, a token, or other object that represents or that can be converted into money; or
2. the right to receive money, a token, or another object that represents and can be converted into money; and
(2) "slot machine" includes:
(i) a machine, apparatus, or device described in item (1) of this section that also sells, delivers, or awards merchandise, money, or some other tangible thing of value; and
(ii) a pinball machine or console machine that pays off in merchandise.

§ 12-302. Possession or operation of slot machine.

(a) Prohibited.- Except as allowed under §§ 12-304 through 12-306 of this subtitle, a person may not locate, possess, keep, or operate a slot machine in the State as an owner, lessor, lessee, licensor, licensee, or in any other capacity.
(b) Penalty.- 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 of $1,000 or both for each violation.

[///Pending Legislation: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15669-2005Feb10.html Reports:
A state Senate committee is expected to vote today on a revised version of the governor's bill to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland....
One key change being discussed is the removal of language from the bill that identifies the locations across the state where slots would be permitted. Instead, the bill would call for the creation of a commission that would name the number of machines and identify who would be permitted to hold a license for this form of gambling.
Still, sources familiar with the negotiations said yesterday that even this approach has the potential for conflict. Lawmakers intend to stock the commission with three members chosen by the Senate, three by the House and three by the governor. Lobbyists for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) have argued that, if this is the desired approach, the governor should select five of the commissioners, with each chamber appointing two.
With strong support in the Budget and Taxation Committee, and from the chamber as a whole, some form of slots legislation is expected to pass in the Senate. Hearings on gambling proposals will begin in the House next week.///]

§ 12-303. Antique slot machine - Defense.

(a) "Antique slot machine" defined.- In this section, "antique slot machine" means a slot machine that was manufactured at least 25 years before the date on which the machine is seized.
(b) In general.- A person may not be convicted under § 12-302 of this subtitle if the person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the slot machine:
(1) is an antique slot machine; and
(2) was not operated for gambling purposes while in the person's possession.
(c) Destruction or alteration prohibited pending determination of status.- If the defense is offered that a seized slot machine is an antique slot machine, the slot machine may not be destroyed or otherwise altered until after a final judicial determination, including review on appeal, that the defense does not apply.
(d) Return of slot machine determined to be antique.- If the defense applies, the person who seized the slot machine shall return the slot machine in accordance with applicable provisions of law for the return of property.

[In subsequent sections exceptions are provided for the operation of slot machines in certain Maryland counties by "Eligible Organizations."

TITLE 13. SAME - LOCAL PROVISIONS

....

Subtitle 2. Gaming events - Certain counties.

13-201. Definitions.

(a) In general.- In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) Gaming event.- "Gaming event" means a carnival, bazaar, or raffle.
(c) Qualified organization.- "Qualified organization" means:
(1) a volunteer fire company; or
(2) a bona fide:
(i) religious organization;
(ii) fraternal organization;
(iii) civic organization;
(iv) war veterans' organization; or
(v) charitable organization.

§ 13-202. Application of subtitle.

Except as otherwise provided in this title, this subtitle applies in the following counties:
(1) Allegany County;
(2) Anne Arundel County;
(3) Baltimore County;
(4) Calvert County;
(5) Caroline County;
(6) Carroll County;
(7) Dorchester County;
(8) Frederick County;
(9) Garrett County;
(10) Howard County;
(11) Prince George's County;
(12) St. Mary's County;
(13) Somerset County;
(14) Talbot County; and
(15) Washington County.

§ 13-203. Gaming event without personal benefit - Allowed.

This title and Title 12 of this article do not prohibit a qualified organization from conducting a gaming event for the exclusive benefit of a qualified organization if an individual or group of individuals does not:
(1) benefit financially from the gaming event under this subtitle; or
(2) receive any of the proceeds from the gaming event under this subtitle for personal use or benefit.

13-204. Prizes and gaming devices allowed.

A qualified organization may award a prize in money or in merchandise at a gaming event using any gaming device, including:
(1) a paddle wheel;
(2) a wheel of fortune;
(3) a chance book; or
(4) bingo.

§ 13-205. Management of gaming event.

A qualified organization that conducts a gaming event under this subtitle shall manage the gaming event personally through its members.

[The statute then presents numerous exceptions and permissions on a county by county basis. They are spelled out in detail in sections 13-301 through 13-2628]