Encore Boston Harbor’s gaming revenue fell by 22% in September compared with a year earlier, causing Massachusetts gambling regulators to worry about the loss in state tax revenue.
“I will note that the September 2026 revenue was the lowest remitted to the commonwealth from Encore Boston Harbor in over five-and-a-half years,” Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard said during a commission meeting on Thursday. “That’s since we were in the height of the pandemic.”
According to state data, Encore paid $11.5 million in gaming taxes to the state last month, more than $4 million less than in August and $3.5 million below the average for the previous 12 months.
The decline in revenue comes more than a month after 1,300 casino employees walked off the job on Sept. 4, seeking better wages, benefits and protections. Workers continue to strike outside of the casino in Everett this week, urging visitors not to cross the picket line.
UNITE HERE Local 26 president Carlos Aramayo said he didn’t expect the casino to lose as much revenue as it has, but that casino owner Wynn Resorts “made the decision that they were going to insist that our members get paid less and get less benefits.
“I think the revenue numbers are really the consequence of that kind of decision that the company made,” he said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Wynn Resorts said they put a “significant economic proposal on the table” in September.
“Since that time, we have been waiting for the union’s response to move bargaining forward,” the spokesperson said.
Aramayo said the proposals put forward by Wynn Resorts have not warranted a “serious conversation.”
“I can assure you that they’re not even in the same room as us in terms of the expectations that our members have, and frankly, the wages and benefits that are enjoyed by the rest of the folks in the industry,” he said.
At Encore Boston Harbor, gross gaming revenue fell to $46.1 million this September, down from $59.1 million in Sept. 2025.
Gross gaming revenue reflects the earnings generated from casino slot machines and electronic table games. This does not include sales from food, beverages and entertainment, which is not tracked by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
However, Aramayo says he believes Encore Boston Harbor is also experiencing losses in hotel room revenue and food and beverage sales.
“We know that two of their restaurants are closed, and my suspicion is that they’re having trouble filling the rooms at the hotel,” he said. “I think this is a good picture of what’s happening in terms of people respecting the line.”
Caitlin Monahan, director of the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, said Encore Boston Harbor has closed all of its company-operated restaurants, but that vendor-operated outlets remain open. But the Center Bar, Sports Bar and complimentary alcohol service are operating on reduced schedules.
“Registered department managers and employees are performing server and bartender duties when not engaged in their primary job responsibilities,” she said during Tuesday’s meeting.
Monahan adds that employees from the slot and cage departments are on strike, causing management personnel and table game dealers to work as slot attendants and cage cashiers as secondary assignments.
The amount of money wagered on slot machines, known as slot coin-in, also dropped 20.3% to $354.4 million from $444.4 million.
This loss marks the lowest monthly gross gaming revenue since Feb. 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions were still in effect.
During the same time period, gross gaming revenue at the state’s other two casinos, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino, remained steady. Gross gaming revenue fell 1.2% and rose 2.4%, respectively, while slot coin-in rose 4.7% and 4.2%.
“September’s results demonstrate why a sustainable agreement matters — not only for our employees and the thousands of jobs Encore supports, but for Massachusetts,” a Wynn spokesperson said in a statement. “When Encore’s revenue declines, so does the tax revenue it generates for the Commonwealth.”
Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner Paul Brodeur said they need to keep in mind that the revenue impacts to the Commonwealth are “substantial.”
“A dip of a quarter million dollars into the Commonwealth’s revenue is a couple of teachers, right? It is a relevant benefit around MassHealth,” he said during Thursday’s meeting. “It’s always important to keep in mind that these revenue impacts really are human impacts.”
Aramayo said the workers do not want to see the Commonwealth lose revenue.
“But the company needs to come to the table,” he said. “It needs to realize that it’s got to bargain in a real way, and it’s got to figure out how to meet the modest demands that our members and the members of Teamsters Local 25 have.”
Aramayo adds that while the union has resolved minor issues with the casino in previous negotiations, they are still “far apart” on the core issues, including wage increases, union benefits and job security.
“I’m hopeful that Encore Boston Harbor and the dedicated workers can come to an agreement soon to ensure that the folks get back to work and that EBH continues to be a world-class destination resort casino,” said Maynard.
