Encore Boston Harbor – Everett Leader Herald

Leaving for Las Vegas, Encore president promoted

The Encore Boston Harbor casino. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

By JOSH RESNEK

The president of Encore Boston Harbor has apparently been named a vice-president of Wynn Resorts and will be leaving the Encore in Everett for the company’s home base in Las Vegas.

Brian Gullbrants, who has been near the top of the management ladder at Wynn for about 13 years, has headed up Encore Boston Harbor since replacing Robert DeSalvio in October 2019.

Gullbrants opened the noted Encore Casino and Hotel in 2008 in Las Vegas.

Wynn officials did not respond to the Leader Herald for confirmation of the change reported to us by sources familiar with the goings-on at Encore Boston Harbor.

Gullbrants is being replaced by Wynn Resorts Executive VP of Operations at the Encore Boston Harbor Jennifer Holaday, according to the source.

Holaday will be the third leader of the Encore Boston Harbor since its opening in June 2019.

She inherits a business that was beset by the restrictions placed upon it by the pandemic, and she will take over leadership at a time when the casino and hotel are just beginning to flex their muscles again.

Brawl mars first mask-less weekend

The unrestricted opening of the Encore Casino led to a brawl on the casino grounds Saturday evening, according to the State and Everett Police.

At least three arrests were made in a fight where one of those arrested was using a baseball bat on one of the victims.

The bad behavior at the casino now that the restrictions have been lifted is predictable, according to casino analysts.

Encore back in business, MGC lifts all restrictions

A lavish flower display in the lobby greets patrons of the Encore Boston Harbor as COVID restrictions are lifted. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso)

Ornate flower display greets patrons, gaming, hotel, restaurants reopening

By JOSH RESNEK

What a difference a week can make in the life and times of a great casino and hotel.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s erasure of nearly all gaming restrictions at Encore will lead to the reopening of the casino and hotel’s nightclub and will ultimately allow for smaller business conventions.

This should lead to the casino’s restaurants getting back into the brisk business.

Encore’s casino managers have just replanted the entire hotel and casino lobby with more than $30,000 worth of white, red, and yellow blooming plants and flowers in what is easily the most impressive display of its kind in New England.

This was done last week.

The MGC voted to allow Encore Casino and Hotel to get back to where it was before the pandemic caused a serious disruption in its business last week, also.

Full house at Encore, COVID requirements due to change

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.

Encore scores major revenue gains

Gaming giant roaring back to life as gamblers stream to casino

Encore Boston Harbor. (Photo by Jim Mahoney)

By JOSH RESNEK

Encore Boston Harbor reported an $8 million gain in revenues in March over February’s revenues, which were up $7 million from January.

The back-to-back monthly gains in revenues signal a major change in revenue direction for the gaming giant which has suffered horribly during the pandemic.

The March total, as reported by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission came to $49 million.

The breakdown revealed $20.3 million in table game revenues and $29.2 million in slot machine revenue.

Encore generated more than 2 times the total taken in by MGM Springfield which reported $22 million in revenues.

Encore’s revenues dwarfed those of Plainridge Park Casino which came in at $12.2 million.