Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 271, § 7 (2026)

Lotteries; disposal of property by chance

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 7. Whoever sets up or promotes a lottery for money or other property of value, or by way of lottery disposes of any property of value, or under the pretext of a sale, gift or delivery of other property or of any right, privilege or thing whatever disposes of or offers or attempts to dispose of any property, with intent to make the disposal thereof dependent upon or connected with chance by lot, dice, numbers, game, hazard or other gambling device that is not taking place in a gaming establishment licensed pursuant to chapter 23K, whereby such chance or device is made an additional inducement to the disposal or sale of said property, and whoever aids either by printing or writing, or is in any way concerned, in the setting up, managing or drawing of such lottery, or in such disposal or offer or attempt to dispose of property by such chance or device, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than three years, or in jail or the house of correction for not more than two and one half years.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 20 cases, 1926–2011 · leading case: Mobil Oil Corp. v. Attorney Gen., 280 N.E.2d 406 (Mass. 1972).

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Mobil Oil Corp. v. Attorney Gen., 280 N.E.2d 406 (Mass. 1972). · cites it 8× “The defendant answered and counterclaimed, seeking a declaration that the statute is valid, that the continued use of game promotions is prohibited by G.L.c. 271, § 7, which prohibits lotteries, and that the game pieces used in connection with game promotions are a common…”

Commonwealth v. Club Caravan, Inc., 571 N.E.2d 405 (Mass. App. Ct. 1991). · cites it 4× “2 Most of the indictments were framed under G. L. c. 271, § 7, as appearing in St. 1968, c.”

Commonwealth v. Vitello, 327 N.E.2d 819 (Mass. 1975). · cites it 2× “[2] G.L.c. 271, § 7 (being concerned with setting up and promoting an illegal lottery for money).”

Marshfield Fam. Skateland, Inc. v. Town of Marshfield, 450 N.E.2d 605 (Mass. 1983). “379, 383 (1948), that “free play” pinball machines and similar devices were illegal lotteries under G. L. c. 271, § 7. Section 177A was enacted shortly after our decision in Rivers “for the purpose of permitting the use and maintenence of automatic amusement devices such as…”

Bretton v. State Lottery Comm'n, 673 N.E.2d 76 (Mass. App. Ct. 1996). “, G. L. c. 271, §§ 7 & 9. The commission’s lotteries exist in an environment where similar lawful activities within the Commonwealth consist only of government sponsored lotteries, and “raffles” and “bazaars” conducted by certain nonprofit organizations under permits issued…”

Commonwealth v. Pope, 241 N.E.2d 848 (Mass. 1968). “In one, the defendant was charged with setting up and promoting a lottery (G. L. c. 271, § 7); in the other, with using telephones for the purpose of accepting wagers and bets upon the lottery called the numbers game (G.”

Commonwealth v. Assad, 471 N.E.2d 1290 (Mass. 1984). “The defendant has been indicted in Essex County for conspiring to organize illegal gaming operations and lotteries (G. L. c. 271, §§ 7, 16A, 17, and 17A). 1 The defendant argues that the warrant application was defective because it (1) failed to disclose prior wiretaps of his…”

Commonwealth v. Sazama, 158 N.E.2d 313 (Mass. 1959). “Sazama was convicted, under G. L. c. 271, § 7, in a separate trial, of being concerned on January 7, 1957, in the same operation of a pinball machine in a Greenfield tavern considered in Commonwealth v.”

Commonwealth v. Baldassini, 260 N.E.2d 150 (Mass. 1970). “” G. L. c. 271, §§ 7 and 17. The indictments were tried together.”

Commonwealth v. Pope, 476 N.E.2d 969 (Mass. App. Ct. 1985). “After a Superior Court jury trial, the defendant was convicted of setting up or promoting a lottery in violation of G. L. c. 271, § 7. On appeal, he alleges error in the admission of expert testimony, the denial of his motion to dismiss the indictment, and certain of the trial…”

Commonwealth v. Diaz, 446 N.E.2d 415 (Mass. App. Ct. 1983). “269, § 10(a), and of setting up or promoting a lottery in violation of G. L. c. 271, § 7, following a trial in the jury of six session of a District Court.”

Commonwealth v. Miller, 459 N.E.2d 136 (Mass. App. Ct. 1984). “436, § 4) and setting up and promoting a lottery (G. L. c. 271, § 7). 1. There was no error in the denial of the motion to suppress.”

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