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Bill

HB 399

Baltimore City - Raffles - Organizations Affiliated With a Professional Major League Baseball Team

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Edelson

Maryland allows Baltimore organizations affiliated with a Major League Baseball team to conduct raffles for fundraising under state oversight and regulatory requirements.

Third Reading Passed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 399

Legislative bill overview

HB 399 authorizes organizations affiliated with a Major League Baseball team in Baltimore City to conduct raffles as a fundraising mechanism. The bill allows these affiliated organizations to operate raffles under specified conditions and regulatory oversight, creating a new revenue stream for baseball-related charitable or community organizations in the city.

Why is this important

This legislation directly impacts Baltimore's relationship with professional baseball, potentially supporting community programs and charitable efforts linked to a major league team. It also represents a modest expansion of Maryland's gambling regulations, which are typically restricted and tightly controlled by the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Gambling expansion concerns: Critics may argue this creates a precedent for expanding gambling opportunities and could normalize lottery-style fundraising beyond this specific application
  • Equity and fairness: Other sports organizations, civic groups, or charities operating in Baltimore might question why baseball-affiliated organizations receive this specific privilege
  • Regulatory oversight: Questions about how raffles will be monitored, what constitutes an "affiliated" organization, and whether safeguards exist to prevent misuse or fraud

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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