L'espansione di Encore Boston Harbor fa scattare dibattiti legali sulle zone di gioco consentite
Encore Boston Harbor, situato nella città confinante di Everett, sta valutando un'espansione dall'altra parte della strada rispetto alla sua proprietà esistente. Tuttavia, gli organi di regolamentazione del gioco di massa dello stato sono incerti se il gioco d'azzardo sarebbe legalmente consentito in questa nuova posizione.
In origine, gli elettori di Everett avevano approvato un referendum locale nel 2013 per il progetto di resort integrato da $2,6 miliardi di Wynn Resorts. Dopo quasi un decennio e più di tre anni di operatività dal 2019, i funzionari di Wynn ora cercano di espandersi con una sala poker e uno spazio per scommesse sportive. Un parcheggio asfaltato di fronte a Broadway serve come posizione scelta per questa espansione.
Despite Encore Boston Harbor being the wealthiest of Massachusetts's three casinos, accumulating over $1.88 billion from gamblers and generating more than $470.4 million in state tax proceeds, the legal implications of the proposed expansion remain uncertain.
In the past, Wynn suggested that the expansion building would not include gambling. Instead, it planned to use the space for a nightclub and event facility. However, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) argued that since no gambling would occur within the venue, it fell outside of their oversight. Now, Wynn suggests that gaming could be provided through sports betting and poker, causing some legal confusion among the MGC commissioners.
The 2013 referendum asked Everett voters, "Shall the City of Everett permit the operation of a gaming establishment licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be located at the property located on Horizon Way off Lower Broadway in Everett, formerly known as the Monsanto Chemical Site?" The MGC is currently questioning whether this referendum allows gambling to be operated within Everett's city limits or if it is only permissible on the exact property defined in the referendum's language.
Wynn's attorneys argue that the community's backing should be interpreted to permit gaming inside any property directly attached to the referendum's site. They also point to the host agreement between Wynn and the City of Everett, suggesting that gaming can be permitted east of Broadway. However, the MGC adjourned its meeting with no vote on Encore Boston Harbor's expansion plea, requesting Wynn to present a clearer depiction of the former Monsanto chemical site's boundaries for the next hearing.
The news of Encore Boston Harbor's expansion plans has sparked discussions about the legality of gambling in the new location. Despite the casino's significant tax contributions to the state, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is uncertain if gambling is permissible outside of the original property's boundaries. Wynn's proposed expansion includes a standalone poker room and sportsbook, raising questions about the grey area in the 2013 referendum's language, tethering the expansion's legality to the original Monsanto Chemical Site.