Encore Boston Harbor Strike Stifles Sept. Casino Revenue

An ongoing labor strike at Encore Boston Harbor is having substantial impacts on the casino’s revenue and Massachusetts’ tax funding.

Over 1,300 workers have abandoned their posts in pursuit of better wages and overall compensation. Although the casino has mostly remained entirely open during their absences, revenue reports for September showed the strong impact of the strike on both the local and state economy.

With dissenting employees still away from work, gambling regulators have underlined the financial importance of keeping the casino operating in full.

Boston casino strike limits revenue, tax contributions

Encore Boston Harbor, which sits in Everett, generated $46.1 million in gaming revenue during September. That was down over 22% year-over-year and was so low that it prompted comments from Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) officials.

“The September 2026 revenue was the lowest remitted to the Commonwealth from Encore Boston Harbor in over five and a half years; that's since we were in the height of the pandemic,” MGC Chair Jordan Maynard said at a Thursday meeting. “I hope that we can resolve this soon.”

Massachusetts only collected $11.5 million on the back of Encore’s September revenue. That marked a substantial decline from the $14.8 million it was sent at this time last year.

Additionally, Encore’s tax payment was more than $4 million below what it was in August, the final month before the strike began, and $3.5 million less than the previous 12-month average. 

MGC Commissioner Paul Brodeur said that the waning revenue has made a “substantial” impact, while noting a change of a few million dollars can create problems for public funding.

“A dip of a quarter million dollars into the commonwealth's revenue is a couple of teachers, it is a relevant benefit around MassHealth,” he said. “It's always important to keep in mind that these revenue impacts really are human impacts.”

Will a resolution come soon?

Encore workers walked out of their jobs on Sept. 4, five days after their collective bargaining agreement with Wynn Resorts expired. Slot machine attendants, bartenders, hospitality servicepeople, cashiers, servers, and warehouse members are all among those who are holding out from work in hopes of receiving better compensation.

Union leaders are heading up the effort to receive better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Picket lines were established outside of the casino during the strike, and usual customers were asked not to go play their favorite table games or slots until the strike is over.

UNITE HERE Local 26 PResident Carlos Aramayo, who is in charge of one of the main labor unions involved in the strike, claimed that Encore’s declining revenue was because potential customers were afraid to cross the picket line. Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari added that the latest revenue figures indicate the employees’ importance to the property’s success.

Wynn maintains that it made a significant offer in September, and the workers need to live in a world of financial realism.

Massachusetts’ two other casinos, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, generated $22 million and $14.6 million in Sept. revenue, respectively. They contributed $12.7 million in gaming taxes for the month.

While those properties are still operating in full, both Wynn and Massachusetts are still looking for a resolution at Encore — the state’s largest casino — to help the market return to its full potential.