SEC. 1. (a) This article does not apply to:

(1) Lotteries conducted under Title 9, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland;
(2) Wagering on horse racing conducted under Title 11 of the Business Regulation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(3) Gaming conducted under Title 12 or Title 13 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) In this article, "video lottery operation license" means a license issued to a person that allows players to operate video lottery terminals.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may issue up to five video lottery operation licenses throughout the State for the primary purpose of raising revenue for:

(i) Education for the children of the State in public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12;
(ii) Public school construction and public school capital improvements; and
(iii) Construction of capital projects at community colleges and public senior higher education institutions.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may not authorize the operation of more than 15,000 video lottery terminals in the State.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a video lottery operation license only may be awarded for a video lottery facility in the following locations:


(i) Anne Arundel County, within 2 miles of MD Route 295;
(ii) Cecil County, within 2 miles of Interstate 95;
(iii) Worcester County, within 1 mile of the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589;
(iv) On State property located within Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County; or
(v) Baltimore City, if the video lottery facility is:
1. Located:

A. In a nonresidential area;
B. Within one-half mile of Interstate 95;
C. Within one-half mile of MD Route 295; and
D. On property that is owned by Baltimore City on the date on which the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted; and
2. Not adjacent to or within one-quarter mile of property that is:
A. Zoned for residential use; and
B. Used for a residential dwelling on the date the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted.

(4) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may not award more than one video lottery operation license in a single county or Baltimore City.

(5) A video lottery facility shall comply with all applicable planning and zoning laws of the local jurisdiction.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or after November 15, 2008, the General Assembly may not authorize any additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming.

(e) The General Assembly may only authorize additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming if approval is granted through a referendum, authorized by an act of the General Assembly, in a general election by a majority of the qualified voters in the State.

(f) The General Assembly may, from time to time, enact such laws not inconsistent with this section, as may be necessary and proper to carry out its provisions.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@mdarchives.state.md.us