Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

Las Vegas-style casinos face uncertain future

Encore faces big challenges; slots will bounce back quicker

By Scott Van Voorhis Casinos, COVID-19 0 Comments Jul 6, 2020

THE MASSACHUSETTS CASINO industry faces a long and steep climb back as it prepares to reopen over the coming week, with its opulent centerpiece, the $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor, facing a particularly uncertain future. MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, which rely heavily on less labor-intensive slot machines, are likely to see a rebound(...)

Tribe says US took its land out of trust

Cromwell: Action by Interior secretary cruel and unnecessary

By Cedric Cromwell Casinos, Mashpee Wampanoag 0 Comments Mar 28, 2020

Following is a statement posted on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe website on Friday. At 4:00 pm today — on the very day that the United States has reached a record 100,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and our Tribe is desperately struggling with responding to this devastating pandemic — the Bureau of Indian Affairs informed(...)

Sports betting bill in play on Beacon Hill

Gambling on pro, college games would be allowed

By Colin A. Young 0 Comments Feb 29, 2020

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Adults in Massachusetts would be able to bet on professional and Division I college sports in person and through web or mobile apps under legislation released Friday by a legislative panel that’s been studying sports betting for a year. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission would be given the discretion to write the(...)

Wynn slammed by Macau shutdown

Maddox sees some progress at Encore Boston Harbor

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Feb 6, 2020

WYNN RESORTS CEO Matt Maddox said the coronavirus shutdown of all the casinos in Macau for at least two weeks is costing the gambling giant millions of dollars a day in lost revenue even as the company continues to burn through $2.4 million to $2.6 million a day in ongoing expenses for employees. Casino business(...)

Casinos continue sluggish performance

Plainridge Park records worst full month since opening

By Michael Jonas Casinos 0 Comments Dec 16, 2019

NOVEMBER FIGURES SHOW continued weakness in the Massachusetts casino industry, where fears of market saturation in the Northeast appear warranted and revenue projections for the state’s dive into the casino world look as though they were overly optimistic. Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville recorded its worst full month since opening in 2015, with $10.9 million(...)

More ominous signs at Mass. gambling facilities

Encore revenues slide; Plainridge numbers near all-time low

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Nov 15, 2019

GAMING FACILITIES in Massachusetts continued to struggle in October, as gross gaming revenue continued to slide at Encore Boston Harbor and the Plainridge Park slots parlor saw its revenue fall to its lowest level since December 2015. At Everett-based Encore, gross gaming revenue was $45.8 million in October, down $3.1 million from September levels. The October(...)

Wynn CEO: Encore spending levels will decline

Daily operating cost of hotel/casino estimated at $1.45m

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Nov 6, 2019

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Wynn Resorts signaled on Wednesday that the company needs to rein in costs at the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, with the casino and hotel reporting a nearly $41.7 million operating loss for the three-month period ending September 30. During a conference call with financial analysts after the release of the(...)

To entice customers, Encore discounts trips to casino

Free buses for loyalty members, practically free ferry rides

By Andy Metzger Casinos, Transportation 0 Comments Oct 21, 2019

SINCE ITS JUNE OPENING, Encore Boston Harbor has slashed the cost of travel to the Everett casino, first offering free parking and now adding free bus service to some and steeply discounted boat travel to all. At the same time, the casino has lagged behind in its revenue projections, putting it on pace to reach(...)

Henry showed interest in Wynn property

Discussed possibilities for 11 acres near casino

By Bruce Mohl Casinos, Media and Journalism 0 Comments Oct 17, 2019

WYNN RESORTS has held some preliminary discussions with John Henry, the owner of the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Globe, about working jointly on the development of property the casino operator owns across the street from Encore Boston Harbor, according to two people familiar with the discussions. The discussions were held some time ago(...)

Wynn brings in new managers in Everett

New president hired, 2 others join casino

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Oct 16, 2019

WYNN RESORTS shuffled its top management team at Encore Boston Harbor on Wednesday, removing president Robert DeSalvio and elevating Brian Guilbrants, the head of food and beverage, to replace him. Rumors have circulated for months that DeSalvio was not going to be the long term leader of the hotel and casino in Everett and that(...)