Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

Encore gets seal of gaming commission approval

Official operating certificate granted days after casino launch

By Andy Metzger Encore Boston Harbor 0 Comments Jun 27, 2019

FOUR DAYS AFTER its grand opening, Greater Boston’s first casino won a conditional operating certificate on Thursday morning. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously to award the certificate that will enable Encore Boston Harbor to remain open around the clock for the foreseeable future, offering gamblers a range of 3,151 slot machines and 231 table(...)

Boston reports moderate traffic from Encore opening

No headcount yet on the number of casino visitors

By Andy Metzger crowd, Encore, headcount, traffic, Transportation, Wynn 0 Comments Jun 24, 2019

A BIG CROWD turned out for the opening of Encore Boston Harbor on Sunday, but there is no official word yet on how attendance matched up against the casino’s prediction of roughly 50,000 visitors. At noon Sunday, which was about two hours after the doors to the 24/7 gambling establishment opened to the public for(...)

Wynn Resorts formally opens for business

Traffic not bad at the start of the day

By Andy Metzger Casinos 0 Comments Jun 23, 2019

WITH AN AUDACIOUS midmorning fireworks display, an emotional speech from the mayor of Everett, and a crowd of thousands lined up in the hot sun, Encore Boston Harbor threw open its doors to the public on Sunday. In his speech Sunday morning, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria referenced the bruising regulatory and legal challenges that Wynn(...)

You’ve got to check it out

For $2.6b, a bit of high-end Vegas in Everett

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Jun 21, 2019

HERE’S SOME TIDBITS picked up on a media tour inside Encore Boston Harbor on Friday. This is a unique place, with lots of local flavor, but if you’ve been to either of the two Wynn Resorts properties in Las Vegas a lot will feel familiar – the flowery décor, the serene spa, and the heavy(...)

Wynn talks up entertainment district in Everett

Maddox, sounding bullish, looks to expand, says casino not for sale

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Jun 21, 2019

THE TUNE has certainly changed at Wynn Resorts. A little over a month ago the company announced it was exploring the sale of Encore Boston Harbor to MGM Resorts. Those talks were called off, and CEO Matt Maddox stated emphatically on Friday that the company would not consider selling the property and indeed views it(...)

You could even swim in the Mystic at Encore

Barren wasteland transformed into Shangrila

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments Jun 19, 2019

ADD SWIMMING TO THE LIST of ways you can get to the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett. After a massive $70 million cleanup effort by Wynn Resorts, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said the Mystic River in the area of the casino is now rated clean enough to swim in. “That’s never happened in the(...)

Wynn has plan for traffic, but yachts could be problem

$1m ad blitz planned to discourage driving to casino

By Andy Metzger Casinos 0 Comments Jun 12, 2019

ENCORE BOSTON HARBOR, which won approval Wednesday to open for testing next week, is plunking down big bucks to try to avoid exacerbating the region’s notorious gridlock when it opens in less than two weeks, but the Everett casino only has limited control over how people get there. For instance, the casino’s three water shuttles(...)

Betting notes: DeLeo wants floor vote on sports bill

Should you be able to bet on Brad Marchand licking an opponent?

By Andy Metzger DraftKings, MGM, MLB, NHL, Robert DeLeo, Sports betting 0 Comments May 29, 2019

THERE ARE SCORES of variables for lawmakers to consider as they put together a regulatory scheme to legalize sports betting, but Speaker Robert DeLeo has already made up his mind on one important aspect of the pending legislation: there should be a bill brought to the House floor. The speaker telegraphed his hope for a(...)

Wynn board pays $35.5m, brings saga to an end

Disputes conclusions about Maddox, pays his $500,000 fine

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments May 28, 2019

THE WYNN RESORTS BOARD of directors said on Tuesday that it disagrees with a number of comments and conclusions about President and CEO Matt Maddox contained in a recent decision issued by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, but to avoid a protracted legal dispute had gone ahead and approved payment of the $35 million fine imposed(...)

Encore president says casino will open on time

Regulators approve drinks for gamblers until 4 a.m.

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments May 22, 2019

THE TOP OFFICIAL at Encore Boston Harbor told state regulators on Wednesday that the Everett hotel and casino will open on schedule at 10 a.m. June 23. It will also be allowed to serve complimentary alcoholic drinks to active gambling customers until 4 a.m., thanks to a ruling by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The opening(...)