[ Text of section effective until November 22, 2011. For text effective November 22, 2011, see below.]

  Section 31. Whoever, except in trials of speed of horses for premiums offered by legally constituted agricultural societies, or by corporations authorized thereto by section fourteen of chapter one hundred and eighty, engages in racing, running, trotting or pacing a horse or other animal of the horse kind for a bet, wager of money or other thing of value or a purse or stake made within the commonwealth, or whoever aids or abets therein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Chapter 271: Section 31. Racing horses for bets or stakes

[ Text of section as amended by 2011, 194, Sec. 67 effective November 22, 2011. For text effective until November 22, 2011, see above.]

  Section 31. Whoever, except in trials of speed of horses for premiums offered by legally constituted agricultural societies, or by corporations authorized thereto by section fourteen of chapter one hundred and eighty, engages in racing, running, trotting or pacing a horse or other animal of the horse kind for a bet, wager of money or other thing of value or a purse or stake made within the commonwealth, or whoever aids or abets therein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. This section shall not apply to racing conducted pursuant to chapter 23K.