Posted on: October 13, 2023, 09:05h.
Last updated on: October 13, 2023, 09:05h.
Encore Boston Harbor Moves Closer to Casino and Resort Expansion
Wynn Resorts has taken a significant step forward in its plans to expand its Encore Boston Harbor casino and resort in Everett, Massachusetts. The initial phase of the expansion will add an additional 142,000 square feet of floor space.
The proposed expansion includes a new sportsbook and poker room, as well as a nightclub and theater. Encore Boston Harbor will also see the construction of three parking garages and a pedestrian skywalk connecting the expansion building to the current resort.
With its current offerings of 2,700 slots, 185 table games, and a WynnBet Sportsbook, Encore Boston Harbor had a record-breaking year in 2022, generating approximately $729.7 million in gross gaming revenue. The resort has consistently performed well since its opening in June 2019, surpassing $600 million in winnings in 2021 and $330 million in 2020, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Planning Board Supports Expansion
Wynn Resorts must secure local and state approval to proceed with its expansion plans. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has already determined that the company can operate sports betting and poker at its newly acquired 17-acre site, allowing Encore Boston Harbor’s expansion application to move forward. This week, the City of Everett Planning & Development Board voted in favor of the development.
Following the Planning and Development Board’s endorsement, the project now requires approval from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, which is currently conducting a review of the project’s potential environmental impact. A decision is expected on Monday, Oct. 16.
Expansion Plans and Economic Impact
Wynn Resorts envisions a two-phased expansion for Encore Boston Harbor. In addition to the proposed sportsbook, poker room, nightclub, and theater, the second phase plans include two additional hotel towers with 800 guestrooms. Encore currently has 671 hotel rooms, and the resort reported an occupancy rate of over 91% in 2022.
If both phases of the expansion are approved and completed, Wynn Resorts plans to invest an additional $1.7 billion into the Encore Boston Harbor facility. The expansion is expected to create approximately 800 permanent positions, with a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce.