Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 137, § 3 (2026)

Validity of notes, bills, bonds, mortgages, securities or conveyances won by gaming

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 3. Notes, bills, bonds, mortgages or other securities or conveyances the whole or part of the consideration of which is money or goods won by gaming or playing at cards, dice or any other game, or by betting on the sides or hands of persons gaming, or for repaying or reimbursing money knowingly lent or advanced for gaming or betting, but not including gaming conducted pursuant to chapter 23K or sports wagering conducted pursuant to chapter 23N, or lent and advanced at the time and place of such gaming or betting to a person so gaming or betting, shall be void as between the parties thereto, and as to all persons except such as hold or claim under them in good faith and without notice of the illegality of the consideration.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1966–1996 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Matchett, 436 N.E.2d 400 (Mass. 1982).

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Commonwealth v. Matchett, 436 N.E.2d 400 (Mass. 1982). · cites it 2× “See G.L.c. 137, § 3. [11] The issue of the validity of the charge on murder in the first degree (including the felony-murder doctrine) is not before us in light of the jury verdict of murder in the second degree.”

Connecticut Nat'l Bank of Hartford v. Kommit, 577 N.E.2d 639 (Mass. App. Ct. 1991). · cites it 3× “It is the law of Massachusetts (G. L. c. 137, § 3), Connecticut (Gen. Stat.”

Dicker v. Klein, 277 N.E.2d 514 (Mass. 1972). “In this connection, we note that the same result would follow were our own laws applicable since our Legislature has expressed a similar intent in G. L. c. 137, § 3. We have considered the several arguments made by the plaintiff and conclude that they are of no merit.”

First Fin. Corp. v. John R., 36 Mass. App. Dec. 26 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. 1966). “G.L. c. 137, § 3. Samuel E. Kaufman, of Boston for the Plaintiff Joseph W.”

Connecticut Nat'l Bk. of Hartford v. Kommit, 577 N.E.2d 639 (Mass. App. Ct. 1991). · cites it 3× “It is the law of Massachusetts (G.L.c. 137, § 3), Connecticut (Gen. Stat.”

Admar of New Jersey, Inc. v. Matellian, 1996 Mass. App. Div. 79 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. 1996). “G.L.c. 137, §3 reads: “Notes, bills, bonds, mortgages or other securities or conveyances the whole or part of the consideration of which is money or goods won by gaming or playing at cards, dice or any other game, or my betting on the sides or hands of persons gaming, or for…”

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