It may very well be a part of the Frederick County Council’s 2024 Legislative Bundle.
Frederick, Md (KM) A invoice to permit residents to make use of their bank cards to participate in on line fundraising video games of likelihood sponsored by non-profits may very well be added to the Frederick County Council’s 2024 Legislative Bundle. The Council on Tuesday voted to carry a listening to on the measure..
The laws is sponsored by Councilman Mason Carter. “Volunteer hearth firms they’ve handled inflation first hand as the price of equipment. the upkeep thereof, their facility, and the upkeep thereof, proceed to skyrocket,” he mentioned.
It could “permit non-profits firms to just accept funds by way of bank cards for his or her on line gaming,” he continued
Supporting the laws is Jim Graham, the President of the Walkersville Volunteer Hearth Division. He instructed the Council that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the fireplace firm and different non-profits couldn’t maintain in-person fundraising occasions which featured such actions as bingo and raffles, or to hire out the corridor for different occasions.
Graham says he wished to carry these fundraisers on line, and permit members to make use of their bank cards to make wagers. However was instructed that’s opposite to Maryland legislation. “I can go to Rutters and I can use my bank card within the lottery merchandising machine and get lottery tickets. I can go on line, use my bank card with Fan Duel and do sports activities betting within the state of Maryland. Why can’t I’m going on line and purchase an on line raffle from a non-profit in Frederick County. Anyway, . it simply doesn’t make sense to me,” he mentioned.;
Through the dialogue, Councilwoman MC Keegan-Ayer voted for taking it a public listening to, however wished extra info on the laws earlier than voting in favor or towards. “We take it to public listening to subsequent week, and we’ll be voting on it the next week. So we actually solely have two weeks to get some enter on how this can work,’ she mentioned.
“I wouldn’t learn this as enabling any non-profit to now supply gaming occasions. I believe that’s most likely supplied by separate legislation,” Councilman Steve McKay identified. “That is only for these non-profits that have already got the playing authorization that may give them this added instrument.”
Non-profits which wish to maintain playing occasions as fundraisers have to get gaming permits from the state.
By Kevin McManus