Rolling the Dice

Coverage of casino licensing and the gambling referendum

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(...)

Talks over, Wynn now committed to casino

Firm ceases discussions with MGM Resorts

By Colin A. Young Casinos 0 Comments May 21, 2019

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE DISCUSSIONS between Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts around a possible sale of the soon-to-open Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett are over and Wynn Resorts says it is committed to its Boston-area project. The two Las Vegas powerhouses had confirmed Friday that they were discussing a sale of the Everett property, a(...)

Why help only the Mashpee Wampanoag?

All tribes deserve same rights, including Aquinnah Wampanoags

By Paul DeBole Casinos 0 Comments May 17, 2019

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK for the Mashpee Wampanoag in their quest to open a tribal casino in Taunton. The US House of Representative passed the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Reservation Reaffirmation Act by a vote of 275 to 146. The act is designed to correct a flaw in the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934(...)

Wynn casino could open a week or two late

CEO says company may appeal Gaming Commission's secondary conditions

By Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments May 9, 2019

This story was updated at 9 p.m. WYNN RESORTS CEO Matt Maddox told financial analysts on Thursday that the company’s Everett casino and hotel are on schedule to open as planned on June 23, but he indicated the opening could be delayed a week or two to make sure there are no loose ends. “We’re(...)

Wynn Resorts on hook for $1.3m in legal fees

Tab for law firms defending Gaming Commission from Steve Wynn

By Colman M. Herman and Bruce Mohl Casinos 0 Comments May 3, 2019

THE MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION paid about $1.25 million to five outside law firms defending the agency and one of its top employees in a lawsuit brought by Steve Wynn, but officials say the legal tab will be picked up by Wynn Resorts. The invoices for legal work, released Friday in response to a public records(...)

What you need to know about the Wynn decision

Las Vegas firm has 30 days to pay $35m

By Andy Metzger Casinos, Wynn 0 Comments May 1, 2019

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission issued its decision about Wynn Resorts Tuesday night. On Wednesday, commissioners took questions from the press. Here’s a Q&A attempting to answer some of the questions around the decision. Q: Is the Wynn Resorts casino in Everett going to open as planned June 23? A: It looks that way. The Massachusetts(...)