32 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 13

176. (a) Nothing contained in Article 27, Sections 288 to
307, inclusive, of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939 Edi-
tion), title "Crimes and Punishments", sub-title "Gaming",
shall be construed as prohibiting, penalizing or making unlaw-
ful the keeping, maintenance, operation or distribution for
operation, in Calvert County, by any person, firm or corpora-
tion, on and after July 1, 1948, of any mechanical or electrical
amusement devices which require the insertion of a coin or
token for their operation and which offer an award to the
operator based in whole or in part upon chance or his skill,
provided that said mechanical or electrical amusement devices
or machines are licensed by the person, firm or corporation
who owns or operates the premises upon which said amuse-
ment devices are maintained for the use of the public as here-
inafter provided in this sub-title. Provided, however, that
any bona fide charitable or veterans organization and any
bona fide fire company may own and operate not more than
four such devices for which no license fee shall be required
where all the proceeds of such devices are devoted to the ex-
clusive benefit of such organization or company and such
devices are maintained solely in the club room or regular
meeting place of such organization or company.

(b) No person, firm or corporation shall be granted a
license hereunder unless such person or persons comprising
the firm, or in the case of a corporation, the majority of the
voting stockholders, are shown affirmatively to be bona fide
property owners on July 1, 1948, or are registered voters in
said County.

177. (a) Any person, firm or corporation who owns or
operates, whether as owner, lessee or licensee, the premises
upon which it "is desired to maintain any amusement devices
described in Sub-section (a) of Section 176 hereof, may obtain
a license therefor upon application to the Clerk of the Circuit
Court of the County upon forms prescribed for that purpose
by the said clerk and upon payment of the prescribed annual
license fee of $150.00 for each such machine not exceeding
four. If the applicant wishes to maintain and operate more
than four such machines on the same premises, he shall also
secure the distributors license of $1,000.00, in addition to the
$150.00 fee for each machine.

(b) Any person, firm or corporation who does not desire to
maintain and operate any such amusement devices but merely
to sell or lease the same, may obtain a license therefor upon
application to the said Clerk of Court and upon the payment
of an annual license fee of $1,000.00, which license shall only
authorize him to sell or lease such amusement machines or
devices to licensees for the maintenance and operation of such
amusement machines under a license authorized by this sub-
title, except as authorized in Sub-section (a) of this section.