Massachusetts Gamblers Still Won’t Get A Seat At Table Games

The current policy in Massachusetts remains unchanged, which means that individuals will not be able to satisfy their desire to play craps, roulette, or poker at Encore Boston Harbor or MGM Springfield anytime soon.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) rejected a request from the casinos to reintroduce table games. Nevertheless, the situation continues to evolve.

MGC says ‘not yet’ on Massachusetts casino table games

In Massachusetts, Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield reign as the top choices for table game enthusiasts. However, if you’re seeking a gambling experience solely focused on slots, Plainridge Park Casino is your go-to destination.

Both casino executives approached the MGC seeking approval to reintroduce craps and roulette games, albeit with certain limitations. They presented evidence of customers adhering to current safety measures as an indication that they could responsibly offer table games once more.

The MGC agreed with a portion of the evaluation on Thursday, specifically acknowledging that the implementation of current measures such as mask mandates has been adequately effective.

However, the commission’s members differed on whether either property could safely resume craps and roulette play.

The commission was informed by Assistant Director Bruce Band from MGC Investigations and Enforcement Bureau.

Due to the recent surge in COVID cases, we have decided against introducing new games at this time. We will closely monitor the COVID situation and reassess the possibility of adding new games in the future.

The commission will convene once more on Thursday, August 27th. It is improbable that the members will reconsider this issue during that meeting. Therefore, the most optimistic outcome for craps and roulette would be in the latter part of the following month.

How about poker at Encore and MGM?

When it comes to poker, the level of uncertainty is even higher. The casinos have essentially avoided discussing this category in their request. The comments made during Thursday’s meeting provided insight into the current status of poker.

The band believed that having four people per table was an acceptable standard, but casino executives disagreed as they believed it would result in a financial loss for them. Due to the casinos’ focus on craps and roulette, the MGC may prioritize easing restrictions on those games before others.

The reintroduction of table games will play a significant role in the recovery of both facilities, following a prolonged shutdown period.

Although the commission has not yet provided statistics for July, historically, table games have generated approximately $5-$6 million in winnings at MGM Springfield and around $23 million in revenue at Encore on a monthly basis.

The casinos are likely to continue advocating for table games due to their significant value. However, it remains uncertain when these endeavors will yield favorable results.