The Frederick County Council requests the Frederick County Delegation to support legislation authorizing credit card usage for gaming activities in Frederick County.

The Frederick County Council has unanimously approved its 2025 Legislative Package, which includes a single bill.

This measure permits nonprofits, like volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies and their auxiliary organizations, to accept credit card payments for gaming activities like bingo cards and tip jars as part of their fundraising efforts.

Like in many other states, Maryland residents can use their credit cards to purchase lottery tickets. Tickets can be bought with credit or debit cards at various authorized retail locations, online platforms, or through mobile applications associated with the Maryland State Lottery.

However, under current law, organizations running gaming events cannot accept credit card payments for gaming devices, and any violations are subject to fines and penalties. This bill seeks to remove that restriction specifically for eligible organizations in Frederick County.

This bill was introduced last year but failed to advance due to concerns over language in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) regarding using credit cards for gaming activities. The sponsors are working to address these concerns for the upcoming session.

The Frederick County Legislative Delegation will hold a hearing on this proposal, among others, on Saturday, December 7, at 10:00 am at Winchester Hall, ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session, which begins on January 8, 2025.

Visit the Frederick County County website for more information.