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Delegate Patterson’s bill would modernize electronic bingo rules, industry urges modest increases and paper‑ticket rollback
Summary
House Bill 15-87 would modernize Maryland’s electronic instant bingo law: allow modest increases in machines at licensed facilities in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties, repeal an outdated cap and remove the requirement to print a paper ticket for every game. Industry witnesses said the changes would reduce waste, support jobs and generate state and local revenue; the committee paused before voting.
Delegate Edith Patterson, sponsor of House Bill 15-87, told the Ways and Means Committee the bill "is a modernization bill that updates Maryland's bingo laws to reflect how the industry operates today and removes a regulatory constraints that no longer serve a meaningful public purpose." She said the measure would repeal an outdated limit on electronic bingo cards, allow a modest increase in the number of machines at certain licensed facilities in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties, and eliminate the requirement that machines print a paper ticket for every game while preserving vouchers required for prize redemption.
Industry witnesses supported the bill. Jerry Evans, who said he has represented the bingo industry for more than 20 years, told the committee the…
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