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Delegate Edelson seeks year‑long 50/50 raffles at Camden Yards for Orioles charities
Summary
A Baltimore‑focused bill would allow the Baltimore Orioles Foundation to run 50/50 raffles at every home game; proponents say it will raise charity dollars while opponents were not recorded for the hearing.
Delegate Mark Edelson presented House Bill 399 to the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 10, asking lawmakers to amend state statute so the Baltimore Orioles may run fifty‑fifty (50/50) raffles at all 81 home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Edelson, who described the measure as “hyper local” to Baltimore City, told the committee the bill would increase an existing statutory limit that now allows 12 raffles per charitable organization per year. “What we're looking to do here is allow the Baltimore Orioles to conduct fiftyfifty raffles, at the stadium and in the city, for home games,” Edelson said, adding that the proposal is “very specific as the bill is written that it's only gonna apply to the Baltimore Orioles at home games.”
Jack Mitchell, a Towson University senior who identified himself as a senior leadership team intern for the Baltimore Orioles, testified in favor and described the raffles as a fundraising tool for the Baltimore Orioles Foundation. “The fiftyfifty raffle would give fans the ability to donate to the foundation and enter a chance to win the raffle, allowing the Baltimore Orioles Foundation to do more within our communities,” Mitchell said, noting the team’s work in neighborhoods such as Harlem Park Elementary-Middle School.
Lisa Harris Johnson testified on behalf of the Orioles and offered to answer questions from the committee. Nina Themelas, director of government affairs for Mayor Scott of Baltimore City, also indicated city support and said she was “just here in support and to answer any questions.” Committee members asked clarifying questions about who receives the raffle proceeds; Edelson and an Orioles representative said proceeds would go to the Baltimore Orioles Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes charitable funds to community groups and not to ballpark operations.
No formal vote or committee action was recorded at the hearing. Chair Vanessa Atterberry closed the segment and moved on to the next bill on the agenda.
Ending: The committee held a public hearing and heard testimony in support of HB 399 but did not record a committee vote during the Feb. 10 session. If the bill advances it would be a narrowly tailored statutory carve‑out allowing the Orioles’ foundation to run raffles at home games, increasing the current per‑organization raffle cap to permit a blanket season permit for the team.
