Gaming earnings start to slowly tick up in MA
By JOSH RESNEK
New guidance from state and federal regulators has allowed the biggest Las Vegas casino operators – Wynn Resorts Ltd. And Las Vegas Sands Corp to allow vaccinated guests to stop wearing masks.
This contrasts with strict regulations that remain in force at Encore Boston Harbor, where masks are still required inside.
However, Tuesday’s announcement by Governor Charlie Baker that all restrictions are being done away with on May 29 gives rise to the belief the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is sure to follow with an edict allowing full capacity without masks for the Encore Boston Harbor Casino and Hotel.
In Las Vegas, it has been announced, plexiglass shields have been removed from gaming tables inside the casino parlors and in poker rooms all over Las Vegas.
The Wynn poker room, which is located in its sister property, Encore, reopened without plexiglass dividers shortly after it got the go ahead from regulators to operate the entire casino at full capacity. It was the first poker room to get rid of the structures.
Encore Boston Harbor continues to operate at 50% capacity and face masks are required inside the casino and hotel.
It is expected these restrictions will shortly be lifted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission following new CDC guidelines that went into effect last week.
The MGC released gaming figures for April Monday afternoon.
April figures revealed lower total income in revenue almost across the board for Massachusetts’s three main gaming facilities.
Encore’s figures actually went up slightly, from $49.6 million in March to $50.1 in April.
Revenues for all three facilities in Massachusetts totaled $85 million in April compared with $84 million in March.
Encore Boston Harbor did $21.1 million in table gain revenues and $28.9 million in slot machine revenues.
The month-to-month revenue report revealed business essentially flat after scoring a major rise in revenues in March over February.
Encore’s revenues are way more than double MGM Springfield’s spreadsheet report.
Springfield has been consistently underperforming.
Activity at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel has increased, according to Encore employees who watch the coming and goings of the guest.
The hotel remains largely empty and is not yet open seven days a week.
That is coming, according to Encore.
In a matter of a week, it is believed the plexiglass will be taken down from gaming tables and a final return to normal will take place.