Encore Boston Harbor Reports Sharp Revenue Drop as Labor Strike Enters Second Month

Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts recorded gross gaming revenue of $46.1 million for September 2026, marking a 22 percent decline from the $59.1 million posted in the same month one year earlier. The figure represents the property's lowest monthly total since February 2021. Data released in October 2026 shows the downturn occurred alongside an ongoing strike that began on September 4 and involved roughly 1,300 workers from UNITE HERE Local 26 and Teamsters Local 25.

Strike Details and Worker Demands

The labor action centers on contract negotiations that stalled over requests for increased wages, expanded benefits packages, and additional workplace protections. Union members walked out at the start of September, and the work stoppage continued through the entire reporting period. Observers note that the timing aligned directly with the revenue decline, as slot coin-in at the property fell more than 20 percent compared with September 2025 levels. State gaming tax collections from Encore Boston Harbor dropped to $11.5 million for the month, reflecting the lower overall handle.

Operational Impact on Gaming Floor

With unionized staff absent from key positions across table games, slots, and support services, management adjusted operations to maintain basic functionality. The reduction in slot coin-in points to fewer active machines and reduced player traffic during peak hours. Those who track daily activity at the property report that certain gaming areas operated with limited staffing, which in turn affected game availability and service speed. The strike's reach extended beyond the casino floor into hotel and food service departments, further limiting the property's capacity to host large events or conventions that typically drive additional gaming volume.

Revenue Comparison and Historical Context

September 2026 marks the first full month of strike-related disruption, and the resulting $46.1 million total stands in contrast to the stronger performance recorded twelve months prior. Year-over-year figures reveal consistent monthly revenue above $55 million during non-strike periods in 2025, while the latest data places the property below that threshold for the first time in over five years. State regulators compiled the numbers as part of routine monthly reporting, and the tax revenue of $11.5 million follows the same downward trajectory as the gross gaming revenue.

Union representatives have maintained picket lines at the Everett site since early September, while company officials continue to operate with replacement workers and management personnel. Negotiations remain active, though no settlement date has been announced. The decline in slot coin-in exceeded 20 percent, a metric that directly tracks player activity and machine utilization across the floor. This drop contributed to the overall revenue shortfall and reduced the taxable base that generates state gaming revenue.

Broader Effects on Regional Gaming Market

While Encore Boston Harbor experienced the steepest reported decline among Massachusetts properties for the month, the strike's localized impact remains the primary driver behind the numbers. Other regional casinos did not face similar labor actions, yet the Everett facility's performance still influences statewide totals. Analysts who review commission data note that the $46.1 million figure sits well below recent averages, underscoring how sustained work stoppages can compress both handle and win within a single reporting cycle.

September's results also highlight the sensitivity of gaming revenue to staffing levels, particularly in high-volume areas such as the slot floor and table games pit. When coin-in contracts by more than one-fifth, downstream effects appear quickly in tax remittances and overall property earnings. The $11.5 million in state gaming tax revenue reflects this contraction and provides a clear indicator of reduced economic activity at the site.

Conclusion

The September 2026 revenue report for Encore Boston Harbor illustrates the direct connection between labor availability and gaming performance. With the strike ongoing since September 4, the property posted its lowest monthly gross gaming revenue in more than five years, accompanied by a parallel decline in slot coin-in and state tax collections. As negotiations continue into October 2026, the figures released this month offer a baseline for measuring further changes once the dispute reaches resolution.