Mass. Gen. Laws » Part IV Title I Chapter 271
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 271, § 16A (2026)

Organizing or promoting gambling facilities or services

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 16A. Whoever knowingly organizes, supervises, manages or finances at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying or selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed or endurance of man, beast, bird or machine, or upon the happening of any event, or upon the result of a game, competition, political nomination, appointment or election, or whoever knowingly receives from at least four such persons compensation or payment in any form as a return from such lotteries, such registration or such buying or selling shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than fifteen years or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment. As used in this section the word ''persons'' shall not include bettors or wagerers or persons who organize, supervise, manage or finance persons for the purpose of gaming conducted under chapter 23K who merely avail themselves of such facilities or services for the purpose of making a bet or wager and do not otherwise provide or assist in the provision of such facilities or services. This section shall not apply to such bettors or wagerers.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1975–1989 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Vitello, 327 N.E.2d 819 (Mass. 1975).
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Commonwealth v. Vitello, 327 N.E.2d 819 (Mass. 1975). · cites it 6× “Vitello contends that the judge erred in refusing to instruct the jury, as requested by the defendant, that the Commonwealth must show, as to proof of the indictment brought under G.L.c. 271, § 16A, that the defendant organized a gambling syndicate specifically including four of…”
In re Proceedings Before a Special Grand Jury, 542 N.E.2d 316 (Mass. App. Ct. 1989). “, Massachusetts gambling statutes: G. L. c. 271, § 16A — making supervision of at least four persons who are engaging in illegal gambling activities a criminal act; G.”
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