Inside The Details Of Encore Boston Harbor’s Expansion Plan

The largest casino in Massachusetts has plans to get even bigger. Encore Boston Harbor in Everett received approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission last month to including gaming facilities in its expansion plan for a parcel of land across the street from the casino resort.

This does not mean the expansion, itself, is approved yet. It just means gambling components can be part of that plan.

Encore Boston Harbor expansion details

Constructed in 2019, EBH sits on 33 acres on the eastern bank of the Mystic River and is just 5 miles from downtown Boston.

In addition to a hotel plus entertainment and dining options, the resort has 2,700 slots, 185 table games, and 100 WynnBET Massachusetts Sportsbook kiosks.

According to MGC documents, the new development would include the following:

• Approximately 20,000 square feet of restaurant space
• An additional sports betting space
• A dedicated poker room
• A live entertainment venue and a nightclub
• A 2,200-space parking garage
• A 400-foot elevated pedestrian bridge connecting the existing casino to the new facility

In addition, EBH indicated that future additions could include two hotels north of the new development.

READ MORE: Best Massachusetts Sports Betting Sign-Up Promos

Determining legality

Previously, Monsanto Chemical Company owned the land across the street from EBH. In 2013, Everett residents approved EBH’s expansion plans in a city referendum, with approximately 86% of voters siding with the casino.

However, the MGC debated whether the approved referendum meant the casino could operate in a location other than the original site purchased by Wynn Resorts. While Wynn Resorts continues to manage EBH, San Diego-based Realty Income Corporation purchased the casino in December 2022.

Last March, the MGC decided that a previous version of EBH’s plan, which did not include gambling areas, was not under the commission’s jurisdiction. Translation: A facility without gaming is outside of the MGC’s authority.

Fast forward to last month when the MGC voted 4-1 to approve the revised proposal that does including gaming areas. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Eileen O’Brien, who voiced concerns about a lack of boundaries on future expansions. She also indicated that Everett residents should have been consulted about the revised plan and the possibility of future developments beyond what they voted for in 2013.

In the meantime, bettors can enjoy EBH’s Vegas-style sportsbook. Online sports betting launches Friday, and EBH partner WynnBET will be among the seven operators offering mobile betting that day.