Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

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(...)

September casino revenues lackluster

Encore on pace to take in $600m over course of year

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Oct 15, 2019

ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR reported $150 million in gross gaming revenue from July through September, putting the Everett casino on pace to bring in roughly $600 million over its first full year of operation if current trends continue. The new numbers released on Tuesday suggest Wynn Resorts has a long way to go to reach its(...)

Encore dispenses with self-parking fees

With casino traffic manageable, hefty charges eliminated

By Bruce Mohl Casinos, Transportation 0 Comments Oct 7, 2019

ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR is now letting its customers self-park for free at the Everett casino, dispensing with the hefty charges that had been in place since its June opening — $22 for the first six hours and $42 for up to 24 hours. In a statement, Encore Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio characterized the introduction of(...)

What casino traffic?

The feared congestion at Encore hasn’t materialized

By Bruce Mohl Casinos, Transportation 0 Comments Oct 1, 2019

FIVE YEARS AGO, when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded a license to a proposed casino on the banks of the Mystic River in Everett, traffic was one of the most pressing concerns. The area was already heavily congested, and the conventional wisdom was that plunking a huge casino down near Sullivan Square would make matters(...)

Slots slip, table game revenues keep rising at Encore

Overall, Everett casino sees 8 percent gain

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Sep 16, 2019

SLOT MACHINE REVENUES at Encore Boston Harbor remained lackluster in August, while revenue from table games continued to surge. Numbers released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Monday indicated gross slot revenues at Encore were $20.2 million in August, down 4.4 percent compared to July. Assuming 3,100 slot machines at the casino, the daily revenue(...)