Robots Coming For Encore Jobs? Not A Sure Bet, Casino Says

EVERETT, MA — After falling short of its expected revenue in its first months, Encore Boston Harbor is "right sizing" its business operations. But that will not come at the expense of dozens of jobs, according to a spokesperson for Wynn Resorts, which owns the Everett resort and casino.

Boston 25 reported this week that 70 bartenders, apprentices and casino workers were told their jobs were being cut, and some of them would be replaced by automated drink dispensers. Wynn hit back at that number, saying the dispensers are not yet operational and it was "inaccurately reported" those positions would be eliminated or replaced.

But the back-of-house dispensers, which are used at other casinos, will likely affect some Encore jobs.

"Should any employee become displaced, we do everything we can to provide alternate job opportunities for them within our organization," a Wynn spokesperson wrote in an email. "Given the amount of related openings in other areas of the business, we cannot project the number of positions that may be impacted as a result of the automated beverage dispensers at this time."

Wynn said there are more than 80 job openings at Encore Boston Harbor. According to Boston 25, the casino held a job fair Monday for impacted workers, but employees felt there were not enough full-time or comparable jobs for everyone. The network reported that cuts will take effect next Friday.

The casino currently has about 4,800 employees.

It's been a rough few months for Encore, which is projected to fall short of its first-year projections. Wynn reported $166.8 million in revenue to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission between its opening in June and the end of September, according to the Boston Globe. Its first-year projection in 2014, when it was seeking a gaming license, was $800 million.

The problems aren't limited to Encore – the state's other two casinos reported less-than-stellar numbers toward the end of 2019. Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville brought in less revenue in November than it has in any full month since its June 2015 opening, and November was the second-worst revenue month on record for MGM Springfield, which opened in August 2018.

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox remains optimistic. In an earnings call in November, he said the property is still "ramping up" and introducing itself to players in New England.