Encore Boston Harbor Casino Opening Date Set

EVERETT, MA — It's official — Encore Boston Harbor will open June 23. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved the Everett resort and casino's construction schedule, which included its opening date. The commission also voted, 4-1, to allow Encore to serve alcohol to people actively gambling on the gambling floor until 4 a.m.

The meeting also touched on recent talks between Encore owner Wynn Resorts and MGM to sell the $2.6 billion complex a month before its opening. Plans for a potential sale were scrapped Tuesday night, with Wynn saying it "is committed to opening and operating Encore Boston Harbor as only Wynn Resorts is able to do." MGM, meanwhile, said "anxiety" by some stakeholders contributed to it pulling out of the talks, according to The Boston Globe.

Such a sale would have been complicated, as Massachusetts law prohibits more than one casino per company. MGM opened a casino and hotel complex in Springfield last August and holds the sole resort casino license in Western Massachusetts.

Wynn Resorts was cleared to operate Encore Boston Harbor following a year-long investigation into its suitability to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission instead fined the company $35 million over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder, Steve Wynn. The company has until May 31 to pay or appeal the fine.

Wynn denied the allegations but stepped down as chairman and CEO and sold his shares last year. The company has since taken steps to distance its $2.6 billion resort and casino in Everett from its namesake, changing the name to Encore Boston Harbor and pledging to make its staff 50 percent women. It also successfully removed Steve Wynn as a "qualifier" for the license.

Wynn Resorts has extended thousands of job offers, giving first priority to residents of Everett and its neighboring communities. The complex will feature 15 bars and restaurants; 671 hotel rooms; a ballroom and meeting area; spa and gaming floor with tables; a poker room and more than 3,000 slot machines.