(a) The county commissioners may issue a permit to any of the following organizations to conduct a fundraiser at which merchandise or money prizes may be awarded by gaming devices: (1) a bona fide religious organization that has conducted religious services at the same location in the county for at least 3 years before applying for a permit; (2) a volunteer fire company that is supported by the county or a municipal corporation in the county or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the volunteer fire company or auxiliary unit; (3) a nationally chartered veterans’ organization or an auxiliary unit whose members are directly associated with the veterans’ organization; (4) a bona fide nonprofit fraternal, educational, civic, patriotic, or charitable organization that intends to conduct a fundraiser for the benefit of a charity located in the county; or (5) a bona fide nonprofit organization that: (i) intends to raise money for an exclusively charitable, athletic, or educational purpose that is specifically described in the permit application; and (ii) has operated as a nonprofit organization in the county for at least 3 years before applying for a permit. ic, or educational purpose that is specifically described in the permit application; and (ii) has operated as a nonprofit organization in the county for at least 3 years before applying for a permit. (b) The county commissioners shall determine whether an organization qualifies for a permit under this section. (c) An organization must be organized in and serve the residents of the county to be eligible for a permit under this section. (d) An organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is a bona fide charity under this section.
Maryland Legal Code