Maryland Charitable Gaming License: A County-by-County Guide for Nonprofits

Charitable gaming can be an effective way for Maryland nonprofits, religious groups, volunteer fire companies, and other qualified organizations to raise money for mission-driven work. But the rules are not uniform across the state. In Maryland, bingo and raffle requirements often depend on the type of game, the county where the event is held, and whether the prize involves real property or personal property.

If your organization wants to host bingo nights, raffles, or similar fundraising events, the first step is understanding whether you need a county permit, a state filing, or both. In some cases, the answer is simple. In others, the rules turn on local ordinances and the exact structure of the game.

This guide explains the Maryland charitable gaming landscape in practical terms, so you can plan events with fewer compliance surprises.

What Counts as Charitable Gaming in Maryland?

Charitable gaming generally refers to games of chance conducted to benefit a bona fide nonprofit or charitable purpose. Common examples include:

• Bingo
• Raffles
• Paddle wheels or wheels of fortune where allowed by local law
• Chance books and similar fundraising games where permitted
• Special gaming events authorized at the county level

The key point is that charitable gaming is not a free-for-all. Maryland law treats these activities as regulated fundraising tools, not ordinary social games. An organization must determine whether it qualifies to conduct the game and then follow the applicable permit, licensing, and reporting rules.

Is There a Statewide Maryland Charitable Gaming License?

Maryland does not use one universal statewide charitable gaming license for every fundraiser. Instead, the licensing structure depends on the game.

For bingo, Maryland law generally requires a county-issued permit or license. For certain raffles, the rules may involve county permits, a state disclosure filing, or both. Other gaming activities may be subject to separate county frameworks.

That means a nonprofit should not assume that a license issued in one county automatically authorizes gaming statewide. Local rules matter.

Maryland Bingo Rules

Bingo is one of the most common charitable gaming activities, but it is also one of the most closely regulated.

Maryland statutes provide that organizations authorized to conduct bingo must obtain a bingo permit from the county Department of Permits and Inspections or the county agency responsible for licensing. County commissioners may also adopt local regulations to administer and enforce bingo activity.

In practical terms, this means:

• Your organization must qualify under the applicable county rules.
• You generally need a county bingo permit or license before conducting bingo.
• You should confirm local operating rules before advertising, selling admission, or opening the event.
• Some counties impose additional restrictions on frequency, location, prize structure, or reporting.

Organizations That Commonly Qualify

Maryland law allows certain organizations to conduct bingo for charitable purposes, including:

• Bona fide religious organizations
• Fraternal organizations
• Patriotic organizations
• Educational organizations
• Civic organizations
• War veterans’ organizations
• Hospitals
• Amateur athletic organizations
• Charitable organizations
• Volunteer fire companies and other qualified groups under specific local frameworks

Qualification is not automatic. The organization may need to show that it is operating for the benefit of charity or for a permitted organizational purpose and that it satisfies local residency, location, or duration requirements.

What Counties May Require

County bingo rules can vary widely, but local governments often look at:

• The type of organization applying
• Whether the organization is based in the county
• How long the organization has operated in the county
• Whether the event will be held on owned or leased premises
• The exact dates and hours of the event
• Prize limits and payout structure
• Recordkeeping and post-event reporting

Before planning a bingo event, the safest approach is to contact the county office that handles permits or inspections and confirm the current rules.

Maryland Raffle Rules

Raffles are another popular fundraising tool, but the compliance requirements depend on what is being raffled.

Raffles of Personal Property

Raffles of personal property, meaning items other than real estate, are usually governed at the county level in Maryland. Many counties and Baltimore City require a permit before a nonprofit can conduct a raffle or sell raffle tickets in that jurisdiction.

The important takeaway is that a raffle ticket may be regulated not only where the event happens, but also where tickets are sold. If your organization plans to sell tickets across multiple counties, you may need approvals in more than one place.

Raffles of Real Property

Raffles involving real property are more tightly regulated. Under Maryland rules, a charitable organization conducting a real property raffle may need to:

• Obtain any applicable county permit from the political subdivision where the property is located
• File a disclosure statement with the Maryland Secretary of State before advertising or conducting the raffle
• Include required information about the organization, property, timing, consideration, and related costs
• Follow all calendar-year requirements for prior raffles

Because real property raffles involve title transfer and larger compliance stakes, they should be planned carefully with legal and tax review before any public promotion begins.

Why County-Level Rules Matter So Much

One of the most common mistakes nonprofits make is assuming Maryland gaming law works the same way everywhere in the state. It does not.

County-level variation can affect:

• Whether a license is required at all
• Which agency issues the permit
• Whether a permit covers bingo, raffles, or both
• How long the organization must wait before applying
• Whether the event can be held in a specific venue
• Whether ticket sales outside the county are allowed
• What financial records must be kept

This is why two organizations can host similar fundraising events but face different compliance steps depending on the county.

Practical Compliance Checklist for Maryland Charitable Gaming

Before announcing your event, work through this checklist.

1. Confirm Your Organization’s Eligibility

Make sure your organization qualifies under the relevant Maryland statute or county rule. Review your governing documents, mission, and registration status before you apply.

2. Identify the Game Type

Determine whether your event is bingo, a raffle, or another type of authorized game. The correct permit path depends on the game itself.

3. Check the County Rules

Contact the county agency responsible for permits, inspections, licensing, or gaming enforcement. Ask whether the county issues a bingo permit, raffle permit, or other gaming authorization.

4. Review State Filing Requirements

If your raffle involves real property or another category covered by state disclosure rules, confirm whether a filing with the Secretary of State is required.

5. Verify Venue Approval

Some counties restrict where gaming events can be held. A venue that works in one county may not qualify in another.

6. Prepare Financial Controls

Set up a clear process for collecting money, tracking expenses, documenting prize payouts, and reconciling proceeds after the event.

7. Keep Records

Maintain copies of permits, applications, receipts, tickets, advertising materials, and post-event reports. Good recordkeeping protects the organization if questions arise later.

8. Follow Advertising Rules

Do not advertise an event as approved until you have confirmed that the necessary permit or filing is in place. Some jurisdictions also impose rules on ticket wording and disclosures.

Recordkeeping and Reporting Best Practices

Even when a county permit is straightforward, the reporting burden can be significant. A strong internal process should include:

• A designated event owner
• A checklist of filing deadlines
• Copies of all permits and approvals
• A bank account or tracking method for gaming proceeds
• Written approval for expenses tied to the event
• A post-event reconciliation of revenue, expenses, and net charitable use

These steps are not just administrative. They help show that the organization used gaming proceeds for the stated charitable purpose.

Risks of Noncompliance

Failure to follow Maryland charitable gaming rules can create serious problems. Depending on the violation, consequences may include:

• Permit denial or revocation
• Fines or administrative penalties
• Orders to stop the event
• Problems with future licensing
• Reputational harm with donors and the community

The risk is often highest when an organization assumes it can reuse an old permit, expand ticket sales into new counties, or add a new prize structure without checking the rules first.

How Zenind Supports Compliance Planning

Zenind helps U.S. businesses and organizations stay organized with formation and compliance support. For groups planning charitable gaming events, that kind of structure matters. A nonprofit that keeps its filings, registered agent information, and entity records in good order is better positioned to handle county permit applications and reporting obligations.

If your organization is forming a new nonprofit, updating its state registration, or building a more reliable compliance workflow, Zenind can help support the administrative side of that process.

Final Takeaway

Maryland charitable gaming is possible, but it is not governed by a single statewide playbook. Bingo typically requires county-level authorization, and raffle rules can vary based on the type of property involved and the county where the activity occurs. Some events may also require state disclosure filings.

Before you plan a charitable gaming fundraiser, confirm the organization’s eligibility, identify the applicable county agency, and verify whether any state filing is required. A careful compliance review before the event is far easier than fixing a problem after tickets are sold.

When in doubt, treat Maryland charitable gaming as a local compliance project, not a generic fundraising activity.