Whoever, during or within twelve hours of the time of holding a cattle show, military muster or public gathering, within one mile of the place thereof, practices or engages in illegal gaming, shall forfeit not more than twenty dollars. If discovered in the act, he may be arrested without a warrant by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or any officer qualified to serve criminal process, and held in custody, in jail or otherwise, for not more than twenty-four hours, Sunday and legal holidays excepted, until a complaint may be made against him for such offence.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 271, § 6