Encore Boston Harbor Posts Lowest Revenue in Five Years as Strike Takes Hold

Encore Boston Harbor recorded its lowest monthly gross gaming revenue in more than five years during September 2026, and the drop coincided with a strike involving roughly 1,350 employees that started on September 4. The property posted approximately $46.1 million in GGR for the month, a 22.1 percent decline from the same period a year earlier, and that figure marks the weakest performance since February 2021. Observers note the casino continued to operate throughout the period even as staffing levels shifted because of the work stoppage.

Details Behind the Revenue Decline

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported the September numbers, and the data shows a clear year-over-year reduction that also affected state tax collections. Gaming tax revenue from the property fell to about $11.5 million compared with $14.8 million collected in September 2025. Those figures reflect the direct connection between lower GGR and reduced payments to the state, while the strike focused on wages and benefits remained the central point of contention between the union and management.

Strike activity began early in the month and continued without interruption through the end of September. The casino maintained full operations by adjusting schedules and bringing in replacement workers, yet the revenue shortfall indicates the labor action still produced measurable effects on customer volume and spending. Data from the commission places the September total below every monthly result recorded since early 2021, confirming the five-year low that operators and regulators both documented.

Comparison With Other Massachusetts Casinos

The state's two other commercial casinos reported stable results for the same period, and their GGR figures did not show similar declines. This contrast highlights how the labor situation at Encore Boston Harbor stood apart from broader market conditions. While the other properties experienced typical month-to-month variation, the Everett facility posted the only notable drop tied directly to ongoing negotiations over compensation and workplace benefits.

Commission records further indicate that total statewide gaming revenue remained within expected ranges once the other two casinos' performance was included. The isolated nature of the decline at Encore Boston Harbor points to site-specific factors rather than any statewide shift in player behavior or economic conditions. Those who've followed the industry for years recognize that prolonged labor actions can produce exactly this pattern of localized revenue pressure while neighboring properties continue without interruption.

Strike Context and Operational Adjustments

The union representing the 1,350 workers has emphasized wages and benefits as the core issues driving the walkout. Management has kept the property open by reallocating staff and hiring temporary personnel, yet the revenue numbers released by the commission demonstrate that those measures did not fully offset the impact. Observers note the strike had already lasted nearly a full month by the end of September, placing sustained pressure on daily operations and customer service levels.

Because the casino never closed its doors, visitors continued to arrive, but the volume and spending patterns shifted enough to produce the recorded 22.1 percent drop. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission publishes these monthly figures as part of its regular oversight, and the September report placed Encore Boston Harbor's performance at the bottom of its recent historical range. That placement aligns with the timeline of the strike and the associated staffing changes.

Looking Ahead Into October 2026

As October 2026 began, the strike remained active and no immediate resolution had been announced by either side. The revenue figures from September therefore serve as the most recent snapshot available, and regulators continue to monitor how extended labor actions may influence future monthly reports. The commission's data collection process will capture any further changes once October numbers become public, providing additional clarity on whether the decline persists or begins to stabilize.

Conclusion

The September 2026 results from Encore Boston Harbor illustrate how a single-site labor dispute can produce a measurable revenue shortfall even when the property stays open. With GGR at $46.1 million and tax collections at $11.5 million, the month stands out against both prior-year performance and the stable results posted by the state's other commercial casinos. The strike, centered on wages and benefits, continues to shape daily operations as the parties work through negotiations. Commission data remains the primary source for tracking these developments, and subsequent monthly reports will show whether the pattern established in September extends further into the fall.