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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 772 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1275
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to recreational games at senior centers.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John C. VelisHampden and Hampshire 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 772 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1275
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1275) of John C. Velis for legislation
relative to wagering on recreational games at senior centers. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1143 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to recreational games at senior centers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 271 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 22B the
2following section:-
3 Section 22C. (a) For purposes of this section, the term “recreational games" shall mean
4any card game or game of chance, including but not limited to, poker, pinochle, bridge, rummy,
5canasta, hearts, dominos, cribbage, and any type of recreational bingo in which:
6 (i) the winnings of any player in a single game or session does not exceed $20;
7 (ii) the amount of money contributed by a single player during the entire session is $5 or
8less;
9 (iii) all money wagered on the game is distributed to the players by the end of the session; 2 of 2
10 (iv) all players are natural persons who attend and compete in the game, in person, as a
11contestant or bettor on equal terms with the other players therein without receiving or becoming
12entitled to receive something of value or any profit therefrom other than his or her personal
13winnings from the game; and
14 (v) no person receives or becomes entitled to receive any profit, outside the winnings of a
15player, for the arrangement or facilitation of the game or permitting the use of premises for the
16game;
17 (vi) the provisions of Section 22C of chapter 271 shall only apply to said recreational
18games taking place at municipal and town senior centers in the commonwealth.
19 (b) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the prosecution, arrest or conviction of any
20person for hosting or playing in a recreational game in a public or private setting; provided,
21however, private establishments may refuse to permit the playing of such recreational games.