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Frederick County delegation seeks permission to accept credit cards for bingo at volunteer fire halls
Summary
House Bill 510 would let certain volunteer fire-hall bingo operations in Frederick County accept credit cards for purchases; sponsor and delegation said the law is narrowly tailored and intended to help volunteer fundraising.
The Frederick County delegation presented House Bill 510 on Feb. 6, asking the Ways and Means Committee to allow certain volunteer fire-hall fundraising activities (notably bingo events) to accept credit-card payments despite Maryland's general prohibition on using credit cards for gambling.
Delegate Fair (presenting for the Frederick County delegation) said the proposal arose from local volunteer fire departments seeking an additional revenue source. He told the committee that the delegation and Frederick County Council had approved the initiative and that the Attorney General's Office and Maryland Lottery staff indicated a local-authority approach could be legally permissible if narrowly tailored.
Proponents emphasized the difference between casino credit-card wagering and a one-night bingo event at a volunteer hall where patrons might wish to use a credit card to buy a modest number of cards. Delegates discussed whether digital alternatives (mobile payment apps) already function as substitutes; sponsor said bank cards with PINs are accepted today but that some patrons want to use credit-card processor networks.
Committee members asked about alternative payment methods such as Cash App or PayPal; the sponsor said he did not have a definitive answer for those services. The hearing record included no formal committee action; sponsor asked for a favorable report and said the delegation would continue to work with stakeholders on operational details.
