It was approved unanimously Tuesday night by the County Council.
Councilman Mason Carter
Frederick, Md (KM) Residents could use their credit cards for gambling activities at volunteer fire companies under a bill approved unanimously Tuesday night by the Frederick County Council. The measure was sponsored by Councilman Mason Carter. “So this local bill would allow individuals in our community to go to various volunteer fire companies and use credit cards to buy bingo cards, tips jars and any other games of chance that play at volunteer fire companies,” he said,.
Carter also said it could help volunteer fire companies raise money to pay for apparatus, equipment and facilities.
“Volunteer fire companies should have access to this. It’s a very reasonable accommodation,” said Councilwoman Renee Knapp. “And I don’t think it’s going to cause any more problems than it would otherwise, especially with regard all of the access to on line virtual gambling now.”
Council President Brad Young voted in favor, but had a concern. “I think it’s a good convenience factor. I do have worries that some people it will lead them to spend money they don’t have and put it on their credit cards. I do support it, but I do have that concern,” he said.
The legislative proposal, which is expected to become part of Frederick County’s 2025 Legislative Package, applies only to volunteer fire companies. Some Councilmembers asked why not extend it to other non-profit groups. “What we wanted to do first was to show how successful it can be with the volunteer fire service first,” Carter responded. “And then see if we want to go ahead and go back and open it to other similar groups like an Elks Lodge or other non-profit organizations.”
Councilwoman MC Keegan-Ayer had a comment on that question. “If we get a bunch of organizations that also want to be a part of this, and they come in and speak to us, then we can bring that forward to the Delegation and maybe then the legislation will not be written as narrowly as it was last year. We’ll see what the public says,”: she said.
A similar bill was presented to the Legislative Delegation last year.
The bill, along with other measures in the 2025 Legislative Package, are expected to undergo public hearings at a future date. This is the only bill coming from the County Council for the Legislative Delegation to consider for next year.
By Kevin McManus