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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 669
Chapter 669
(House Bill 1587)
AN ACT concerning
Gaming – Operation of Electronic Instant Bingo Machines – Operation and
Maximum Number of Machines and Report by State Lottery and Gaming
Control Agency
FOR the purpose of altering the definition of “slot machine” to repeal a limitation on
increase the number of bingo cards certain handheld devices may allow a user to
play at the same time; increasing the number of electronic instant bingo machines
that certain entities may operate; providing that an electronic instant bingo machine
is not required to print a paper ticket for each instant bingo game played except
under certain circumstances; requiring the State Lottery and Gaming Control
Agency, on or before a certain date, to report to the Governor and the General
Assembly regarding certain matters concerning certain electronic instant bingo and
satellite simulcast facilities; and generally relating to electronic instant bingo
machines gaming.
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Criminal Law
Section 12–301, 12–301.1(e), and 12–308
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Chapter 603 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2012
Section 3
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Criminal Law
12–301.
In this subtitle:
(1) “slot machine” means a machine, apparatus, or device that:
(i) operates or can be made to operate by inserting, depositing, or
placing with another person money, a token, or another object; and
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Ch. 669 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(ii) through the element of chance, the reading of a game of chance,
the delivery of a game of chance, or any other outcome unpredictable by the user, awards
the user:
1. money, a token, or other object that represents or that can
be converted into money; or
2. the right to receive money, a token, or another object that
represents and can be converted into money;
(2) “slot machine” includes:
(i) a machine, apparatus, or device described in item (1) of this
section that also sells, delivers, or awards merchandise, money, or some other tangible
thing of value;
(ii) a pinball machine or console machine that pays off in
merchandise; and
(iii) a machine, apparatus, or device described in item (1) of this
section, regardless of whether the machine, apparatus, or device delivers a game through
the Internet or offers Internet or other services; and
(3) “slot machine” does not include a machine, apparatus, or device that:
(i) awards the user only free additional games or plays;
(ii) awards the user only noncash merchandise or noncash prizes of
minimal value;
(iii) dispenses paper pull tab tip jar tickets or paper pull tab instant
bingo tickets that must be opened manually by the user provided that the machine,
apparatus, or device does not:
1. read the tickets electronically;
2. alert the user to a winning or losing ticket; or
3. tabulate a player’s winnings and losses;
(iv) 1. is a handheld device that displays only facsimiles of bingo
cards that an individual uses to mark and monitor contemporaneously to a live call of bingo
numbers called on the premises by an individual where the user is operating the machine;
2. [does not permit a user to play more than 54 100 bingo
cards at the same time;
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 669
3.] does not randomly generate any numbers; and
[4.] 3. is not part of an integrated system;
(v) is used by the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission
under Title 9 of the State Government Article;
(vi) if legislation takes effect authorizing the operation of video
lottery terminals, is a video lottery terminal as defined in and licensed under that
legislation;
(vii) is a skills–based amusement device that awards prizes,
merchandise, tickets, tokens, or other objects that:
1. per play, do not exceed minimal value approved by the
State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission through regulation; and
2. may be accumulated and exchanged for noncash
merchandise or prizes of value that:
A. is similar to the cumulated value of the objects exchanged;
and
B. does not exceed a minimal wholesale value of $599; or
(viii) is a skills–based device that awards noncash merchandise and is
located at a family entertainment center in Worcester County licensed under § 9–1B–02 of
the State Government Article.
12–301.1.
(e) (1) THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO AN ELECTRONIC INSTANT
BINGO MACHINE AUTHORIZED UNDER § 12–308 OF THIS SUBTITLE.
(2) An electronic gaming device that is not licensed or otherwise operated
in compliance with the provisions of this section as of January 1, 2013, is an illegal gaming
device that may not legally operate in the State.
12–308.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subtitle, an entity licensed to
offer instant bingo under a commercial bingo license on July 1, 2007, or by a qualified
organization as defined in § 13–201 of this article on the premises of the qualified
organization may continue to operate a game of instant bingo in the same manner using
electronic machines, provided that:
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Ch. 669 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(1) [(i) the machines were in operation for a 1–year period ending
December 31, 2007; or
(ii) the machines were in operation under a commercial bingo license
on December 31, 2007;
(2)] the entity does not operate more than TWICE the number of electronic
machines in operation on February 28, 2008; and
[(3)] (2) the conduct of the gaming and operation of the machines are
consistent with all other provisions of this article.
(B) AN ELECTRONIC MACHINE ALLOWED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS
SECTION IS NOT REQUIRED TO PRINT A PAPER TICKET FOR EACH GAME OF INSTANT
BINGO PLAYED UNLESS THE PLAYER ELECTS TO PRINT THE TICKET.
(C) THE STATE LOTTERY AND GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION SHALL
ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.
Chapter 603 of the Acts of 2012
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, a licensee or organization
that is authorized under State law to own or operate electronic bingo machines for use after
July 1, 2012, may repair and replace the authorized electronic bingo machines provided
that the machines operate in the same manner as those in operation by the same
organization as of February 28, 2008[, and that the organization does not operate more
than the number of electronic bingo machines in operation as of February 28, 2008].
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:
(a) On or before December 1, 2026, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency
shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government
Article, the General Assembly on:
(1) subject to subsection (c) of this section, impacts of the potential
expansion of electronic instant bingo machines at commercial electronic instant bingo
machine facilities; and
(2) subject to subsection (d) of this section, impacts of the potential
expansion of electronic instant bingo machines, historical horse racing machines, or
underutilized video lottery terminals relative to the limitations under § 9–1A–05(a) of the
State Government Article at satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery
facilities or horse racing facilities.
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 669
(b) (1) The Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State Lottery and
Gaming Control Agency shall retain an independent third–party vendor to prepare the
reports required under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) When studying the issues to be addressed in the report and developing the
report described under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the third–party vendor shall include
in its deliberations the State Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and representatives of the
following stakeholders:
(i) the electronic instant bingo industry;
(ii) satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery facilities;
(iii) satellite simulcast facilities that are located at video lottery facilities;
and
(iv) labor unions in the gaming industry.
(c) The report required under subsection (a)(1) of this section shall include the
following information:
(1) the current State revenues and economic impact generated by
commercial electronic instant bingo machine operators;
(2) the operational challenges faced by commercial electronic instant bingo
machine operators;
(3) the impact of expansions of gaming on commercial instant bingo
machine operators over the years;
(4) the estimated amount of gaming revenue lost to neighboring
jurisdictions by individuals who travel from Maryland to those jurisdictions to engage in
gaming at brick–and–mortar facilities;
(5) the potential revenue from authorizing additional electronic instant
bingo machines at locations currently authorized to offer electronic instant bingo under a
commercial license, including calculations based on varying numbers of additional
machines and the potential revenue for both the operator and the State;
(6) the degree to which the estimated revenue described under paragraph
(5) of this subsection may be attributable to capturing revenue otherwise lost to neighboring
states that offer similar gaming opportunities;
(7) methods to maximize State revenues while balancing the interests of
commercial instant bingo machine operators;
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Ch. 669 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND
(8) the estimated impact of an expansion of electronic instant bingo
machines at locations currently authorized to offer electronic instant bingo under a
commercial license on the revenue generated by the State’s video lottery facilities; and
(9) any other relevant policy considerations and impacts associated with
an expansion of electronic instant bingo machines.
(d) The report required under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall include the
following information:
(1) the current State revenues and economic impact generated by satellite
simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing facilities;
(2) the role, function, and contributions of satellite simulcast facilities that
are not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing facilities in Maryland’s horse racing
industry and gaming environment;
(3) the operational challenges faced by satellite simulcast facilities that are
not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing facilities;
(4) the impact of sports wagering and other expansions of gaming on
satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing
facilities over the years;
(5) the estimated amount of gaming revenue lost to neighboring
jurisdictions by individuals who travel from Maryland to those jurisdictions to engage in
gaming at brick–and–mortar facilities;
(6) the operational differences between and potential revenue from
authorizing electronic instant bingo machines, historical horse racing machines, or video
lottery terminals at satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery
facilities or horse racing facilities, including the potential revenue for both the operator and
the State based on the type and number of machines authorized;
(7) the degree to which the estimated revenue described under paragraph
(6) of this subsection may be attributable to capturing revenue otherwise lost to neighboring
states that offer similar gaming opportunities;
(8) methods to maximize State revenues while balancing the interests of
satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing
facilities;
(9) the estimated impact of an expansion of electronic instant bingo
machines, historical horse racing machines, or underutilized video lottery terminals at
satellite simulcast facilities that are not located at video lottery facilities or horse racing
facilities on the revenue generated by the State’s video lottery facilities; and
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WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 669
(10) any other relevant policy considerations and impacts associated with
an expansion of electronic instant bingo machines, historical horse racing machines, or
underutilized video lottery terminals.
SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 2026.
Approved by the Governor, May 26, 2026.
–7–Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.