The following section includes information and instructions for the following licenses:
- Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo;
- Raffle (includes Quarter Auctions & Games of 50/50);
- Paddle Wheel;
- Paddle with Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo; and
- Instant Bingo “members only” (3 months).
In order to process applications in a timely manner, we must receive completed applications in our office a minimum of five business days prior to the event.
Each organization is permitted 52 Bingos (includes one day Instant Bingos), 12 Raffles, 12 Paddle Wheels, and 4 Members Only Instant Bingos per year. An organization will not be issued more than 1 Bingo or Paddle Wheel per week. Raffles with a cash prize greater than $1,000.00 shall post a bond or an irrevocable letter of credit. Games of 50/50 may be conducted during a meeting of an organization without a license. Otherwise it requires a raffle license.
Cost of Gambling Licenses
- Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo is $5.00 per event.
- Raffle is $10.00 (includes Quarter Auctions & Games of 50/50).
- Paddle Wheel is $10.00
- Paddle with Bingo and/or 1 day Instant Bingo is $10.00
- Instant Bingo “members only” (3 months) is $15.00
All payments received for gambling licenses must be in the form of check or money order made payable to “Harford County”. License application fees are non-refundable nor can credit be given. If you are unsure of amount owed with your application or have any other questions you can call Records at 410-836-5445, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.
How to Fill Out an Application for Gambling License
- Download and print the application. Online submissions are not accepted.
- At top of application indicate whether you want the license mailed to you or if the license is to be picked up. We do not make phone call notifications for pick-ups. If you need to check on status of application call 410-836-5445.
- Section I. Please place an “X” next to the license you are requesting. If raffle license is being requested you must provide a list of the items to be raffled.
- Section II. Please place an “X” next to the box that applies to your type of organization.
- Section III. Please fill out date, time and location of event.
- Non Profit ID number – any application submitted without their ID number cannot be processed.
- Complete the bottom section for name and address of organization. Please provide contact phone number should we have any questions regarding the application.
After the Date of Licensed Event
Please return the bottom half of the license within 15 days after the end of the licensed gaming event. Bottom half of license must be completed with gross amount of cash proceeds (#3 (1)) and disposition of those proceeds (#4). This information is required by law and an organization that fails to file a report is not entitled to another license until the latter of one year after the report is due, or the day the report is filed properly. You can mail the report, drop it off at 45 S. Main Street or fax it to 410-893-9266.
For further information on the State and local Gaming Laws please consult Maryland Law through https://advance.lexis.com/. You will find gambling under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Titles 12 and 13.
Mail your application and appropriate fees to:
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Central Records / Gambling License
P.O. Box 150, 45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014-0150
Office Telephone: 410-836-5445
(You may bring your completed application to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 24 hours per day)
Download your Application Here:
Application For Gambling License
Casino Night Licenses
Maryland Criminal Law, Annotated Code Title 13 Subtitle 15 contains the laws for Casino Night Licenses. To obtain a Casino Night License, organizations must fit both of the following criteria:
- Nonprofit under § 501(c)(3) or (19) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- Has been located in Harford County for at least 3 years prior to applying for the license
To be issued a license, the organization must complete an application, state on the application the purpose for which the proceeds will be used, and pay the fee that the Sheriff determines.
An organization may not hold more than 4 Casino Nights in a calendar year. The Casino Night can only be held between the hours of 4pm and 1am in a structure or at a location that is owned, rented, or leased by the holder of the license. The license is not transferable. A separate application and license are required for each Casino Night event.
Bingo, Instant Bingo, Raffle (to include 50/50) and Paddle Wheel games may be included in the games conducted during the Casino Night, however the Casino Night may not consist exclusively of these games.
The organization may charge only a preset entrance fee for the Casino Night. Participants shall receive tokens for wagering in exchange for the entrance fee. A participant may purchase additional tokens, at a total cost not exceeding 100% of the entrance fee, during the Casino Night.
An organization may not allow cash to be used for wagering.
An organization may not exchange tokens used for wagering for:
- An item of merchandise that is worth more than $10,000;
- Money; or
- An item of merchandise having a value that is different from the fair market retail value of the item of merchandise that was received for the tokens.
An organization may rent or purchase necessary equipment and supplies to conduct the Casino Night but may not enter into a lease or other agreement to share profits from the event.
The Casino Night shall be managed and operated personally by members of the organization conducting the event. A member of the organization may not receive or be paid any of the proceeds from the event for personal use or benefit. A person may not receive a salary, a commission, or compensation of any kind for managing the gaming contest or operating a game played in the gaming contest. A person other than the holder of the license may not receive or be paid any proceeds.
To volunteer as an operator at the Casino Night, an individual must be at least 18 years old. To participate (or play) at a Casino Night, an individual must be at least 21 years old.
After costs incurred conducting the event are deducted, proceeds from the Casino Night shall be used to benefit a charity or to further the purpose of the organization.
Within 30 days after the event, the organization shall submit a financial report that lists all of the receipts and expenditures for the Casino Night event. The report shall contain a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses of the Casino Night along with the name(s), address (es) and social security number(s) of participant(s) declared the winner requiring the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W-2G or a substantially equivalent form.
The holder of the license shall keep all financial records of the Casino Night event for at least 2 years. The Sheriff may refuse to issue a license to an applicant who has failed to file a required report from a previous event or is late in filing Federal or State tax returns. An organization found to have violated this section is ineligible to receive a permit for a period of 5 years.
Prizes
Wagering with cash is prohibited by law. The organization must list, in their application, each prize that will be awarded along with the fair market value of that prize. The fair market value of each prize must not exceed $10,000.
Cost of Casino Night License
The cost of a Casino Night License if $125.00. This is a non-refundable fee nor can credit be given.
All payments received must be in the form of check or money order made payable to “Harford County”.The license application fee is non-refundable nor can credit be given. If you have any questions you can call our Records Unit at 410-836-5445, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 4 pm.
How to Fill Out an Application for Casino Night License
Download and print the 4 page application. Online submissions are not accepted.
Page 1
- Complete the Application Date at the top, and then read the information in the box.
- At the bottom of the page, complete the following:
- Organization Name
- Phone Number
- Organization Address & Zip Code
- Mailing Address & Zip Code (If different than physical address)
- NonProfit ID Number
- Statement explaining what the proceeds of the event will be used for
- Event Begin Date and End Date
- Event Location Name
- Event Location Phone Number
- Event Location Address & Zip Code
Page 2 – Certification of the Member
- Read information in the box then complete the following:
- Responsible Member’s Printed Name
- Title within the Organization
- Member’s Daytime and Evening Phone Numbers
- Member’s Address & Zip Code
- Member’s Email Address
- Member’s Signature
- How do you want to receive your license?
Page 3 – Member / Game Operator Information
Members of the organization must conduct and operate all games personally. Members who operate games and/or game tables must be at least 18 years old. The organization must list the name, address, and phone number of each organization member who will be operating a game at the event. The organization must also mark whether or not these persons are 18 or older.
Page 4 – Games to be played
In the top section, the organization must list each game type to be played at the Casino Night. In addition, they must show how many tables of each game type there will be.
For example, organization XYZ is holding a Casino Night. They will have 2 poker tables, 2 blackjack tables and 1 Texas Hold ‘Em table. Under “Card Games”, the organization will list: Poker, Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em. Under the “Number of Tables for this Type of Game” the organization will write the number 5.
In the bottom section, the organization will list each prize that will be awarded at the Casino Night along with the fair market value for that prize. The fair market value for each prize must not exceed $10,000. Cash prizes are prohibited by law.
After the Date of Licensed Event
The organization is responsible for keeping a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses of the Casino Night event. Within 30 days of the Casino Night, the organization is required by law to complete and submit to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office the Casino Night Report.
The Casino Night Report shall contain a full accounting of the proceeds and expenses for the games played as well as the name, address, and social security number of a participant that is declared a winner requiring the issuance of Internal Revenue Service Form W-2G or substantially equivalent form.
The organization shall keep all financial records of the Casino Night event for at least 2 years after the event.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office may refuse to issue a permit to an applicant who has failed to file a required report from a previous Casino Night event or is late in filing Federal or State tax returns.
An organization that is found to be in violation is ineligible to receive a license for a period of five (5) years.
For further information on the State and local Gaming Laws please consult Maryland Law through https://advance.lexis.com/. You will find gambling under Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Titles 12 and 13.
Mail your application and fee to:
Harford County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Central Records / Gambling License
P.O. Box 150, 45 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014-0150
Office Telephone: 410-836-5445
(You may bring your completed application and fee to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 24 hours per day)