WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

Ch. 439

defining certain terms; and generally relating to a
prohibition against the use of credit at certain gaming
events in the State.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 261E

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1987 Replacement Volume and 1988 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

261E.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)  (I) "CREDIT" MEANS PAYMENT THROUGH THE USE OF A
CREDIT CARD, PROMISSORY OR PROMISSORY NOTE, OR OTHER EVIDENCE OF
INDEBTEDNESS INSTEAD OF A CASH PAYMENT.

(II) "CREDIT" INCLUDES THE SELLING OR PLEDGING
OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN EXCHANGE FOR CASH OR TOKENS.

(3)   "GAMING DEVICE" MEANS A GAMING TABLE AS DEFINED
IN § 238 OF THIS SUBTITLE, PADDLE WHEEL, WHEEL OF FORTUNE, CHANCE
BOOK, BINGO, OR OTHER GAME OF CHANCE THAT IS PLAYED FOR MONEY OR
OTHER THING OF VALUE.

(4)   "GAMING EVENT" MEANS A BINGO GAME, CARNIVAL,
BAZAAR, RAFFLE, BENEFIT PERFORMANCE, OR OTHER EVENT AT WHICH A
GAMING DEVICE IS OPERATED.

(5)   "ORGANIZATION" INCLUDES:

(I)  FRATERNAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIC, PATRIOTIC,
EDUCATIONAL, OR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OR CORPORATION;

(II)  VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, RESCUE SQUAD, OR
AUXILIARY UNIT;

(III)  VETERANS' ORGANIZATION OR CLUB;

(IV)  BONA FIDE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IS
RAISING MONEY FOR AN EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE, ATHLETIC, OR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE; OR

- 2915 -