CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS 1183

This section does not repeal the statute of 9th Anne, ch. 14, making void security
given for gambling debts; such security is void, though in hands of bona fide pur-
chaser for value. If the security is originally void under 9th Anne, ch. 14, it is not
affected by the circumstance that obligor later becomes convinced that he did not
lose the money for which the security was given. Relief in equity. Gough v. Pratt, 9
Md. 532.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 255. 1912, sec. 225. 1904, sec. 211. 1888, sec. 128. 1842, ch. 190, sec. 4.

1853, ch. 265, sec. 2.

299. All games, devices and contrivances at which money or any other
thing shall be bet or wagered shall be deemed a gaming table within the
meaning of sections 288, 289, 290, 296, 297 and 298.

The keeping of rooms for the sale of pools on horse races and the selling of such
pools or tickets is not indictable under this section, or secs. 288, 289 and 296. It is the
playing of a game of chance which makes a gaming table criminal. How a criminal
statute should be construed. (But see sec. 291, et seq.) James v. State, 63 Md. 251
(cf. dissenting opinions).

An. Code, 1924, sec. 256. 1912, sec. 226. 1904, sec. 212. 1888, sec. 129. 1853, ch. 265, sec. 2.

1900, ch. 348. 1904, ch. 183.

300. Any person who shall play for money or any other thing the
game called "Thimbles" or what is called the "Little Joker" or at dice,
or the game commonly called "Crap," or any other device or fraudulent
trick whatsoever, on conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned not less than six
months nor more than two years in the Maryland house of correction or
fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, or both, in the discretion of the
court.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 257. 1912, sec. 227. 1904, sec. 213. 1888, sec. 130. 1842, ch. 190, sec. 6.

301. The courts shall construe the preceding sections relating to gam-
bling and betting liberally, so as to prevent the mischiefs intended to be
provided against.

This section applies to all statutes to prevent gambling, including those enacted after
passage of this section. Gaither v. Cate, 156 Md. 254.

See notes to sec. 299.

1939, ch. 701.

302. Nothing in this sub-title shall be construed to make it unlawful
for any bona fide fraternal, religious, or charitable organizations or cor-
porations, or volunteer fire company operating in communities which have
no paid fire department, to conduct or operate a game of bingo for the
benefit of charity in Allegany County, or in furtherance of the purposes
of such organizations, corporations or volunteer fire department.¹

1939, ch. 716.

303. Nothing in this sub-title shall be construed to make it unlawful
for any person, organization or corporation to operate or conduct the
game of bingo where prizes of merchandise only are given and where no
prize of a greater value than ten dollars ($10.00) is offered or given in any
one game and where the entire net proceeds are devoted to charitable pur-
poses exclusively. Before the game of Bingo may be played in Baltimore
City, it shall be necessary to obtain a permit for same after application
shall have been made to the Police Commissioner of said City, and when
the said Police Commissioner issues said permit, he shall receive a fee of

¹ Sec. 2, ch. 701, 1939, repealed all laws inconsistent therewith to extent of such
inconsistency.