LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Encore at Wynn Las Vegas will alter its operating hours beginning Oct. 19, according to a release from the resort.

• Boston’s closest casino, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, plans to reopen on July 12, with rules about distancing, masks, and more. Some, but not all, of the restaurants within the casino will.
• Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston Harbor won’t reopen for another week and, when it does, the majority of the employees won’t be arriving. In an announcement made yesterday, Encore said that it will.

After closing at noon on Monday, the resort’s hotel, casino, restaurants and amenities will reopen at 2 p.m. every Thursday. The five-day/four-night schedule will continue indefinitely until consumer demand for Las Vegas increases.

The Boston Harbor Encore Casino is scheduled to reopen on June 29. (Photo by Jim Mahoney) BY JOSH RESNEK. If everything goes according to current plans, Encore Boston Harbor Casino could be opening again on June 29. During a remote public meeting, the five gaming commissioners adopted health and safety rules that Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino must meet in anticipation of the resumption of casino operations, scheduled for Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s phased-in reopening plan.

Hotel guests will now be able to check in at Encore beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursdays; final check out will be noon on Mondays.

The Poker Room at Encore will temporarily move to Wynn Las Vegas beginning Oct. 19 and operate 7 days a week. The poker area will be located on the casino floor near the Wynn self-park garage.

All other amenities at Encore, including all restaurants, will operate during Encore’s revised business hours, Thursday to Sunday.

Encore is not the only hotel that only accepts reservations for part of the week. The LINQ is also only accepting reservations for Thursdays through Sundays at this time.

71% of Encore staff affected

The Encore Boston Harbor in Everett has placed 3,000 staff on furlough, just days ahead of its anticipated July reopening. In line with Massachusetts’ Phase Three rollout target date of July 6, Boston’s only casino resort has implemented a COVID-19 refit and hopes to open its doors to guests early July, subject to Governor Charlie Baker’s approval.

on furlough “until business demand dictates”

In a statement, the Encore Boston Harbor described the furloughs as part of “very difficult decisions”. Although it has furloughed around 3,000 of its 4,200-strong workforce, it said some staff will return to the resort for training once the reopening dates are officially announced. Those not invited back will stay on furlough “until business demand dictates.”

Encore Casino Everett Reopening

This latest round of cuts follows Encore’s May announcement of its plans to furlough 10% of its staff, which means 81% of its employees are now out of work.

Counting the cost

Wynn Resorts, Encore’s holding company, made the decision to continue paying staff across North America for 75 days after closures. This sits in stark contrast to Caesars Entertainment, which furloughed 90% of its employees back in April.

Holding back on mass furloughs until now, Wynn Resorts said it spent $3m a day on its staff between the coronavirus-impacted months of March and May. This has cost the company around $220m.

spent $3m a day on its staff

Encore Casino Boston Ma Reopening

Massachusetts received about $582m in taxes and assessments from the state’s three casino operators combined by March.

Changes in place

The casino, which forms part of the $2.6bn Encore Boston Harbor project,plans to open on a limited basis in July. The resort’s hotel service will be limited to four nights a week. Changes have been made to the property’s open gaming areas, while new guidelines are in place for amenities and food and beverage sales, with dining capacity also downscaled.

switching off every other slot machine, removing seating to ensure social distancing, and reducing capacity to 25%

Along with the state’s other two casinos, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park, the Encore Boston Harbor property has been working on reopening preparations with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The commission signed off on requirements that include casinos switching off every other slot machine, removing seating to ensure social distancing, and reducing capacity to 25%.

The Encore Boston Harbor’s own reopening guidelines, issued in May, included QR code menus, plexiglass partitions, temperature checks, and personal protective equipment for staff.