1578                                   LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 281

Charles County - Bingo Games

FOR the purpose of altering the cash prize award for bingo
in Charles County; restricting the frequency with which
certain bingo games may be operated in certain
facilities or locations in Charles County; and
repealing certain provisions of law relating to bingo
at amusement parks in Charles County.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 253A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1976 Replacement Volume and 1980 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

253A.

(a)  Nothing (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2)
OF THIS SUBSECTION, NOTHING In this subtitle shall be
construed to make it unlawful for any bona fide fraternal,
religious, patriotic, educational, or charitable
organization or charitable corporation, or volunteer fire
company, or any carnival acting under the auspices of any
such organization, corporation or company, to conduct or
operate a game of bingo or a raffle for the benefit of
charity in Charles County, or in furtherance of the purposes
of such organization, corporation or volunteer fire company.
No such bingo game shall award a cash prize in excess of
[$25] $50 to any player of a bingo game, except that the
award of a "jackpot" in an amount not to exceed [$500]
$1,000 is allowed when directly connected with the playing
of bingo games.

(2) IT IS UNLAWFUL TO OPERATE BINGO GAMES UNDER
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION MORE THAN 2 DAYS A WEEK AT
ANY ONE FACILITY OR LOCATION.

(b)  It is unlawful for any individual, copartnership,
corporation or any group or organization, whether or not
legal residents of Charles County, to operate any game of
bingo or raffle in Charles County, for personal gain.

[(c) Nothing in this subtitle shall prohibit the
conduct of bingo for merchandise prizes only at bona fide
amusement parks in Charles County, which have not less than
five adult rides, consisting of either roller coasters,
airplane rides and landing fields, or other high-thrill
rides and three children's rides, on a site of not less than
thirty-five acres, provided that the concessionaire at such