Encore Boston Harbor Struggles Continue, January Casino Win Down 10 Percent

Posted on: February 19, 2020, 01:26h. 

Last updated on: February 19, 2020, 02:14h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Encore Boston Harbor continues to struggle in Massachusetts. The $2.6 billion casino reported a 10 percent decline in gross gaming revenue (GGR) last month.

Encore Boston Harbor casino revenue
It’s been tough sailing for Encore Boston Harbor since opening last summer. (Image: Christopher Evans/Boston Herald)

Wynn Resorts’ first domestic casino not in Las Vegas opened in June of 2019. It’s fallen far short of premarket gaming revenue forecasts.

Casino win for Encore Boston totaled $48.57 million in January. That’s a 10 percent decline compared to December, when the casino kept $54 million.

Encore’s struggles weren’t felt at the state’s two other casino properties. MGM Springfield GGR came in just shy of $21 million, a 10.5 percent gain on December. Plainridge Park, the slots-only facility, won a little more than $11 million, which was a $1 million premium on the prior month.

Massachusetts levies a 25 percent tax on slot and table game win at Encore Boston and MGM Springfield. Plainridge Park shares 49 percent of its slot win with the state.

Encore for Wynn Woes

Wynn Resorts’ foray into Massachusetts has been a struggle. On top of its $2.6 billion construction cost, the company was fined $35 million by the state for its failure to stop the alleged sexual misconduct committed by its founder and former CEO, Steve Wynn.

Present CEO Matt Maddox was fined $500,000. He was also ordered to undergo executive training, and be subjected to an independent monitor at Wynn Resorts’ expense.

Aside from the scandal that rocked Wynn Resorts and the gaming industry, the company was optimistic a year ago at this time leading up to the opening of Encore Boston Harbor. The vision was simple: bring Las Vegas to the Bay State.

In its review of Wynn’s proposal back in 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) said of the concept, “The applicant is very familiar with highly competitive environments (Las Vegas, Macau), and intends to replicate that model in what is becoming a competitive regional market in the Northeast US.”

Wynn projected its first-year full GGR would total $800 million. Through seven full months, casino win is at $362.5 million. Encore Boston continues to alter its operations away from the VIP towards more of the general public, the latest developments being lower table minimums and cheaper food offerings.

MGM Struggles

MGM Resorts’ $960 million Springfield casino isn’t immune from the competitive region. The property is also falling far short of revenue expectations.

MGM told the state its casino would win around $34.8 million each month. Since opening in late August of 2018, the casino has never once hit even the $30 million mark. Its best month on record was its first – September 2018 – when GGR was $26.9 million.

The casino announced last month that two key executives were being replaced. MGM Springfield Michael Mathis and CFO Courtney Wenleder both departed.

Mathis’ successor is Chris Kelley, who previously led MGM’s rebranding and integration of the company’s Northfield Park racino in Ohio.

Competition could become even more saturated should the MGC move forward with licensing a third and final full-scale casino resort. The permit can only be authorized for the state’s southeastern region.