Gaming Commission Not Yet Through With Encore Boston Harbor

EVERETT, MA – The state gaming commission is not quite through with its investigation into the suitability of Wynn Resorts to hold a casino license in Massachusetts. The agency has been reviewing whether the company should hold the license after a Wall Street Journal report earlier this year detailed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Wynn co-founder and former CEO Steve Wynn.

Wynn has denied the allegations and claimed they are part of an attempt by his ex-wife to smear him, but he stepped down from his role and sold his shares in the company. Since then, the company has dropped its namesake as an "individual qualifier" on its Massachusetts casino license and rebranded its Everett resort and casino as Encore Boston Harbor.

Gaming officials last month said they were looking to wrap up the investigation by the end of August and make a decision about the license toward the end of September, according to MassLive. But Ed Bedrosian, executive director of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said Thursday the investigation is not yet finished.

Bedrosian released a statement that read, in part, "Investigators do need some additional time to complete their work." He added that the commission believes the investigation is in its final phase.

Encore Boston Harbor officials did not respond to request for comment. The $2.5 billion resort and casino remains on track to open in June 2019.

Photo Credit: Encore Boston Harbor