Only One Person Testifies At Frederick County Council Public Hearing On Legislative Package

It contains a bill to allow credit cards for use in  on line gaming.Frederick, Md (KM) There was only one person who testified Tuesday night during the Frederick County Council’s public hearing on its 2024 Legislative Package. The President of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department, Jim Graham, spoke in favor of the only bill in the package, one that would permit non-profits to allow credit cards to be used for on line gaming events  to raise money.”I think it’s a great deal. It doesn’t cost anybody anything to do this,” he said. “We really need your help to move this forward. And  I hoping you all  can support that.”Graham says the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when it could not hold in-person events to raise money for operations and maintenance, and it could not rent out the fire hall. He says the company thought of on line gaming as a way to raise money, and approached the county staff about that. But was told that’s illegal under Maryland law. Graham said you can “use your credit card at Fan Duel, Draft Kings and other things. So why can’t a non-profit organizations in Frederick County, or the state of Maryland, be able to accept credit cards for an on line gaming event.”So he has set out to change the law. “The idea is that this is going to benefit any non-profit organization, not only fire companies, churches, boys clubs,  girls clubs, fraternal organizations, anybody could benefit from this,:” Graham said.He called on the Council to support this legislation. If the Council approves the bill, it will be presented to the 2024 General Assembly.By Kevin McManus