In a notable move to uphold social order and moral integrity, the Massachusetts Bay Colony imposed a prohibition on possessing cards, dice, and gaming tables. This ban emerged from the Puritan settlers' core beliefs, who sought to create a 'city upon a hill,' a community reflecting their strict moral and religious ideals. The colony's leadership viewed gambling as a vice that distracted individuals from their spiritual commitments and responsibilities to their families and community. On March 22, 1631, legislative measures were enacted in the Great and General Court of Massachusetts that targeted these gaming activities directly.

The Puritans believed that leisure activities, particularly those associated with gambling, could lead to disorder and idleness. In making this ruling, the colony aimed to suppress what they considered detrimental influences that contradicted the community's values. Penalties and punitive measures were established for those who contravened this prohibition, reinforcing the seriousness with which the colony's leadership approached the issue of morality. The ban on cards, dice, and gaming tables was thus not only a legal restriction but also part of larger efforts to cultivate a society grounded in hard work and devout worship.

This ban had lasting implications on the recreational practices in the colony, ensuring that pastimes remained aligned with the Puritan ethos. The legislation reflected broader trends in colonial governance where religious and social constructs often influenced laws. It established an early precedent in American society for regulating personal behavior based on communal standards, a theme that would recur throughout the history of the United States.