MGM, Wynn End Talks Of Encore Boston Deal

EVERETT, MA — MGM and Wynn have ended talks regarding a possible deal for the Encore Boston Harbor casino. The announcement comes days after the casino giants acknowledged they were in talks regarding the $2.6 billion casino on Route 99 in Everett - a potential deal that had everyone asking, "Why?"

Wynn said in a statement Tuesday night it "is committed to opening and operating Encore Boston Harbor as only Wynn Resorts is able to do." The casino has been set to open in June, making the acknowledgement of talks all the more perplexing.

"At times, world class assets attract the attention of others and our board takes its fiduciary duty to review such interest," Wynn said Tuesday. "After careful considerations we have agreed to cease discussions with MGM Resorts."

MGM, meanwhile, said "anxiety" by some stakeholders contributed to it pulling out of the talks, according to The Boston Globe.

MGM would have had to find a way around a Massachusetts law that said a company cannot own more than one casino in the state.

Wynn still hasn't said whether it will pay a $35 million fine the Massachusetts Gaming Commission levied against it in the fallout of sexual misconduct allegations against Steven Wynn.