MD HB1609

Exempts Frederick County volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies (and their auxiliaries) from the prohibition on accepting credit as payment at gaming events they conduct for their own benefit

Other organizations operating authorized gaming events in Maryland remain prohibited from accepting credit to allow a person to play gaming devices

Organizations still permitted to accept tokens instead of money from persons who have paid the organization for use of the tokens

Violations remain a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000, loss of gaming event privileges for up to 60 days, or both

Effective date: July 1, 2026