Following a licensing process that included sexual assault allegations against a past CEO, a $35 million fine against the company from the state, and local concerns about everything from traffic to the impact on small businesses, the Wynn-owned Encore Boston Harbor casino opened up Sunday. The debut came with lots of fanfare from local media and excited patrons alike, but some questions still remain: What will its long-term impact be? Will tax revenues for the state live up to the company’s optimistic predictions, and what will be the impact on quality of life for both residents and casino employees?
Jim Braude was joined by Boston Public Radio co-host Margery Eagan, Boston Globe columnist and WGBH contributor Shirley Leung, and Charles Chieppo, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute and former policy director for Gov. Mitt Romney.