Purpose

Outside certain statutory exceptions, existing statutes prohibit the business of gambling, including M.G.L. c. 271 which prohibits, among other unlawful gambling activities, illegal lotteries, namely, soliciting or accepting a payment for the chance to win a prize. 940 CMR 30.00 is designed to protect the public's health, safety and welfare. The purpose of 940 CMR 30.00 is to protect Massachusetts consumers and the public from unlawful lotteries, sweepstakes and other forms of illegal gambling by defining unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the promotion and sale of lotteries, sweepstakes and other forms of illegal gambling. A business that induces consumers to participate in illegal and unregulated forms of gambling by posing as a legitimate business or claiming to offer legitimate sales transactions is unfair and deceptive in violation of M.G.L. c. 93A, § 2(a).