Encore Boston Harbor recorded its lowest monthly gross gaming revenue in more than five years during September 2026, as a strike involving approximately 1,350 employees continued at the Everett casino.
According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Wynn Resorts-owned property generated approximately $46.1 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR), down 22.1% from $59.1 million in September 2025.
The result marked Encore’s weakest monthly performance since February 2021, when revenue reached approximately $41 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26 began striking on September 4 after their previous contract expired on August 31.
The dispute centres on demands for higher wages and improved benefits, with union representatives accusing management of failing to negotiate a satisfactory agreement.
Workers and Management Remain Divided Over Contract
The strike involves employees across Encore’s gaming and hospitality operations, including housekeepers, bartenders, servers and slot attendants.
Union representatives argue that workers should receive compensation and workplace protections comparable to those available at major Boston hotels.
In an October 6 statement, the unions said they had met with Wynn Resorts twice since the work stoppage began, most recently on September 30.
They maintained that management had failed to present proposals meeting the employment standards they were seeking.
Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari defended the workers’ position, linking their contribution to the property’s financial performance.
“These workers are fighting for what they deserve – a fair contract that reflects the value they bring to Encore,” Mari said in a statement. “The message to Encore’s management is loud and clear: you cannot expect to be one of the region’s few five star resorts without treating the workers who make it possible with the respect they deserve.”
Encore disputed the union’s account, stating that it had submitted a substantial economic proposal in September and was awaiting a response.
The casino has continued operating throughout the strike, although the labour dispute has affected staffing and certain services.
Massachusetts Casino Tax Collections Decline
Encore Boston Harbor is the largest of Massachusetts’ three commercial casinos and pays a 25% tax on gross gaming revenue.
The state’s September tax collections from the property fell to approximately $11.5 million, compared with $14.8 million a year earlier.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard expressed concern during the regulator’s October 22 meeting.
“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,” Maynard said. “I hope that we can resolve this soon.”
Commissioner Paul Brodeur also highlighted the importance of gambling tax revenue for public services.
“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.”
The state’s other two commercial casinos reported relatively stable results during September.
Plainridge Park Casino generated approximately $14.6 million in gaming revenue, increasing from $14.3 million in September 2025.
MGM Springfield recorded almost $22 million, compared with approximately $22.2 million a year earlier.
The differences suggest that Encore faced circumstances specific to its operations, although the financial figures do not establish precisely how much of the decline resulted from the strike.
Labour Dispute Continues as Financial Pressure Grows
The September results have increased attention on the negotiations between Encore management and its unionised employees.
The casino acknowledged the financial implications of the dispute in a statement responding to the revenue figures.
“September’s results demonstrate why a sustainable agreement matters – not only for our employees and the thousands of jobs Encore supports, but for Massachusetts,” the company said, as reported by MassLive.com. “When Encore’s revenue declines, so does the tax revenue it generates for the Commonwealth.”
The reported GGR covers revenue from casino gaming and excludes income from hotel accommodation and other non-gaming services.
Consequently, the figures provide only a partial indication of the resort’s overall financial performance during the work stoppage.
Massachusetts regulators have expressed hope that the parties will reach an agreement, given the casino’s contribution to state revenue.
However, the unions continue seeking improved employment terms, while Encore maintains that its existing proposal provides a basis for a sustainable contract.
No resolution has been announced, leaving the duration of the strike uncertain.