Martin O'Malley, Governor

Ch. 4

(1)      ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL FEE OF $425. TO BE PAID BY EACH
VIDEO LOTTERY OPERATION LICENSEE. FOR EACH VIDEO LOTTERY POSITION
OPERATED BY THE LICENSEE DURING THE YEAR. BASED ON THE MAXIMUM
NUMBER OF TERMINAL POSITIONS IN USE DURING THE YEAR; AND

(2)      DISTRIBUTE THE FEES COLLECTED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS
SUBSECTION TO THE PROBLEM GAMBLING FUND ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION
(B) OF THIS SECTION.

(b) (1) There is a Problem Gambling Fund in the Department
of health and mental hygiene.

(2)     The Problem Gambling Fund is a special, nonlapsing
fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the state finance and
Procurement Article.

(3)     Money in the Problem Gambling Fund shall be
invested and reinvested by the treasurer. and interest and earnings
shall accrue to the fund.

(4)     Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this
subsection. expenditures from the problem gambling fund shall be
made only by the department of health and mental hygiene to:

(I) establish a 24-hour hotline for compulsive and
problem gamblers and to provide counseling and other support
services for compulsive and problem gamblers: and

(ii) develop and implement problem gambling
treatment and prevention programs. including the programs
established under title 19. subtitle 8 of the health - general
Article.

(5)     After satisfying the requirements of paragraph (4)
of this subsection. any unspent funds in the problem gambling fund
may be expended by the department of health and mental hygiene on
drug and other addiction treatment services.

(6)     Expenditures from the Problem Gambling Fund shall
be made in accordance with an appropriation approved by the
General Assembly in the annual State budget or by the budget
amendment procedure provided for in § 7-209 of the state finance
and Procurement Article.

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