MARYLAND CRIMINAL GAMBLING DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

DEFENDING CLIENTS CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN MARYLAND

Gambling that is not authorized by the state of Maryland is not permitted. If you engage in gambling and are charged for doing so, the penalties are rather severe. The Maryland attorneys of SRIS, P.C. who defend clients charged with gambling have listed below some of the different laws about gambling in the state of Maryland. The Maryland law firm of SRIS, P.C. defend clients charged with gambling offenses in Maryland. We also have two offices in Maryland to better serve you. Our offices are in Rockville and Annapolis, Maryland. For more information or to make an appointment with SRIS, P.C., please call, send an e-mail or complete the on-line form.

To learn more about the laws pertaining to gambling defense in Virginia or Massachusetts, please click on the state.

The following are some of the different types of gambling charges one could face in the State of Maryland:

• Gaming device
• Gaming event
• Betting, wagering, gambling, and related activities
• Playing certain games
• Gaming device, or building, vessel, or place for gambling
• Gambling on vessel or building or other structure on or over water within the State

MD CRIMINAL LAW § 12-101. Definitions

Gaming device (top)

(d)(1) "Gaming device" means:
(i) a gaming table, except a billiard table, at which a game of chance is played for money or any other thing or consideration of value; or
(ii) a game or device at which money or any other thing or consideration of value is bet, wagered, or gambled.
(2) "Gaming device" includes a paddle wheel, wheel of fortune, chance book, and bingo.

Gaming event (top)

(e) "Gaming event" means:
(1) a bingo game;
(2) a carnival;
(3) a bazaar;
(4) a raffle;
(5) a benefit performance; or
(6) any other event at which a gaming device is operated.

§ 12-102. Betting, wagering, gambling, and related activities (top)

Prohibited

(a) A person may not:
(1) bet, wager, or gamble;
(2) make or sell a book or pool on the result of a race, contest, or contingency;
(3) establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied, all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water, within the State, for the purpose of:
(i) betting, wagering, or gambling; or
(ii) making, selling, or buying books or pools on the result of a race, contest, or contingency; or
(4) receive, become the depository of, record, register, or forward, or propose, agree, or pretend to forward, money or any other thing or consideration of value, to be bet, wagered, or gambled on the result of a race, contest, or contingency.

Penalty

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both.

§ 12-103. Playing certain games (top)

Prohibited

(a) For money or any other thing or consideration of value, a person may not play:
(1) the game called "thimbles";
(2) the game called "little joker";
(3) dice or the game commonly called "craps"; or
(4) any other gaming device or fraudulent trick.

Penalty

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $100 or both.

§ 12-104. Gaming device, or building, vessel, or place for gambling (top)

Prohibited

(a) A person may not:
(1) keep a gaming device, or all or a part of a building, vessel, or place, on land or water within the State for the purpose of gambling;
(2) own, rent, or occupy all or a part of a building, vessel, or place and knowingly allow a gaming device to be kept in the building, vessel, or place;
(3) lease or rent all or a part of a building, vessel, or place to be used for the purpose of gambling;
(4) deal at a gaming device or in a building, vessel, or place for gambling;
(5) manage a gaming device or a building, vessel, or place for gambling; or
(6) have an interest in a gaming device or the profits of a gaming device.

Penalty

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment for not less than 6 months and not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

§ 12-105. Gambling on vessel or building or other structure on or over water within the State (top)

Construction of section

(a) This section:
(1) applies notwithstanding the issuance of a license or permit through or by a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State; and
(2) does not authorize an act that is otherwise prohibited by law.

Prohibited--Gaming device on or over waters of the State

(b) A person may not bet, wager, or gamble or keep, conduct, maintain, or operate a gaming device on:
(1) a vessel or a part of a vessel on water within the State, except as provided in § 6-209 of the Transportation Article; or
(2) all or a part of a building or other structure that is built on or over water within the State, if the building or other structure cannot be entered from the shore of the State by a person on foot.

Prohibited--Keeping vessel or structure for gaming device

(c) To conduct, maintain, or operate a gaming device, a person may not establish, keep, rent, use, or occupy, or knowingly allow to be established, kept, rented, used, or occupied:
(1) a vessel on water within the State; or
(2) a building or other structure that is built on or over water within the State, if the building or other structure cannot be entered from the shore of the State by a person on foot.

Penalty

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine of not less than $200 and not exceeding $1,000 or both for each violation.

Our Maryland Gambling attorneys and staff speak various languages, including English, Tamil, Spanish, French, Arabic, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Telugu.

For more information or to make an appointment with SRIS, P.C., please call, send an e-mail or complete the on-line form.

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