SB 357 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

St. Mary's County - Gaming by Qualified Organization - Permit Required

SB 357 requires qualified organizations in St. Mary’s County - including volunteer fire companies, religious groups, fraternal organizations, and charitable groups - to obtain a gaming license for certain activities like bingo, carnival games, or raffles. The bill defines "gaming" to exclude slot machines but includes devices like paddle wheels and stamp machines. County commissioners must adopt regulations for enforcement and designate a person to administer license issuance. This law amends Maryland’s Criminal Law to mandate licensing for these activities, effective October 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - St. Mary's County - Gaming by Qualified Organization - License Required → Third - St. Mary's County - Gaming by Qualified Organization - Permit Required · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to clarify that a 'gaming license permit' is required specifically when a qualified organization operates a 'gaming device,' rather than just conducting general gaming. The text was also updated to correct the effective date from October 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026, and added standard approval signatures for the Governor and legislative leaders.

Scope change

The scope of the requirement was narrowed and clarified to explicitly link the permit requirement to the operation of a 'gaming device' rather than general gaming activities.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from holding a 'gaming license' whenever conducting gaming to holding a 'gaming license permit' whenever operating a 'gaming device'.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Gaming Device' as a mechanism for playing a game of chance, and updated the exclusion list to clarify that slot machines are not included.

Updated the definition of 'Designee' to specify that they administer the issuance of 'bingo licenses OR GAMING LICENSES PERMITS'.

TIMELINE

Corrected the effective date of the Act from October 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Added signature lines for the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 22, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Feb 22, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 554

executive

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 22, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (133-0-9)

house of delegates

Mar 6, 2026

Committee

Referred Ways and Means

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation

upper

Feb 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

First Reading Budget and Taxation

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors