[toc]Massachusettspassed a law to allow three casinos and a slots parlor to operate in the state in 2011. Six years later, the state only has the slots parlor, Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville.

Nov 10, 2020 Today, just over a year since its opening under the name of Encore Boston Harbor (Encore), the $2.6 billion casino’s hotel is closed and the hours of casino operations have been curtailed due to. Encore Boston Harbor details page: This casino is located in Everett, Massachusetts. Encore Boston Harbor features 2800 gaming machines and 166 table games for you to indulge in. WCD also lists and books casino hotels in Everett. Browse our gallery of pics of Encore Boston Harbor or read recent headlines about Encore Boston Harbor on this page. The Encore Boston Harbor resort casino on the Mystic River in Everett is now open after the $2.6 billion project opened its doors to the public Sunday morning.The facility employs more than 5,000. Boston’s thriving beer culture, first made famous by the Samuel Adams and Harpoon breweries, has expanded to include craft microbreweries, distilleries, and cider houses. Enjoy transportation by bus on this guided half-day tour, which explores city highlights and offers visits to three different brewing locations, where you can enjoy up to 12.

After years of holdups, the casino projects are underway, but Wynn Boston Harbor hit a couple of different skids this year. The luxury resort recently announced construction revisions and increased costs for the multi-billion dollar project.

Wynn Boston Harbor revises retail plan

When the state granted Wynn one of the available gaming licenses, casino developer Steve Wynn sold the concept with the promise of retail. More than just a casino, Wynn Boston Harbor was going to be a high-end shopping destination.

Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Location Map

Revised plans indicate there will be only 9,000 square feet of retail space. By comparison, the original plans set aside 56,000 square feet for shops.

Wynn Boston Harbor President Bob DeSalvio announced the changes at a March 2 meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). A total of ten retail scores have been scrapped from the plans. DeSalvio cited the retail economy as the reason behind the change:

“I’m sure everyone is aware of the retail work being in a bit of an upheaval at the moment. The heavy duty pressure to do online has moved many retailers to cut back on the numbers of stores.”

DeSalvio says the casino courted many of the high-end retailers on Newberry Street in Boston, but had trouble convincing the stores to relocate. Rather than lower the standard of retail tenant, the casino chose to revise the retail plans.

Casino will lose some retail revenue, but gain jobs

Instead of shopping space, the property will feature an additional ballroom in the convention area as well as more restaurant space.

There will be a single retail space called Wynn Collection. The store will house several high-end brands under a single roof, operated by the casino.

The loss of retail space will not result in the loss of jobs. The changes produced a net gain of 177 full-time positions at Wynn Boston Harbor.

Changes and construction costs balloon Wynn costs to $2.4 billion

The changes also mean there will be increased costs to bring the casino to fruition. Revamping the layout is not the only reason the budget is increasing, however.

DeSalvio cited unexpectedly high construction costs at the meeting as another reason costs were going up.

As a result, the project’s budget has ballooned from $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion.

At this price tag, Wynn Boston Harbor will cost as much to complete as high-end Nevada casinos The Palazzo and Bellagio. MGM Springfield, the other Massachusetts casino project, currently sports a $950 million price tag.

Wynn Boston Harbor Opening

MGM Springfield has a scheduled opening of spring 2018. Wynn Boston Harbor will not open until 2019.