Mohegan Sun to Buy Encore Boston Harbor?Īll that underscores the Connecticut Native American tribe’s interest in a Boston casino. The licensing decision was a bitter one, with Mohegan Sun feuding with the MGC and Wynn Resorts.

The real irony is Mohegan Sun sued the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for offering Wynn Resorts preferential treatment.

Eventually, the cost of the Wynn Boston Harbor (later renamed “ Encore“) swelled to $2.4 billion and eventually to its current price of $2.5 billion. The Mohegan Sun/Suffolk Downs development would have cost $900 million to build, while Wynn Resorts’ Everett casino was estimated to cost $1.6 billion. The two presented two separate plans for the license, including one which included a casino development in Revere and Boston, then a second one located solely in Revere after the first plan failed in a local vote. Mohegan Sun partnered with Suffolk Downs as the main rival to Wynn Resorts for the Boston license. It would be an ironic twist to the 5-year story of the Boston-area casino license. “Mohegan Sun has always believed it is the best choice as gaming operator and license holder for a Region A resort casino, and will be committed to opening the Everett facility in a timely manner should it get the opportunity.” Mohegan Sun’s Pursuit of Boston Casino “If that determination finds Wynn Resorts unsuitable to hold a gaming license in Massachusetts, Mohegan Sun is prepared to participate in a process that would assign that license to another operator – and enter into negotiations with the appropriate parties to acquire the facility under construction in Everett.” Undeterred, Mohegan Sun released a statement noting its interest in buying Encore Boston Harbor: “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has stated that it will conduct adjudicatory hearings as part of the Wynn Resorts suitability review, and make a determination with regards to the Region A license to operate a resort casino in Everett.” The Connecticut tribal casino group would have to pay Wynn Resorts roughly $2.5 billion to acquire Encore Boston Harbor, which is located in the Boston sururb of Everett.Įverett Mayor Carlo DeMaria tried to shut down talk of a purchase by Mohegan Sun, claiming they were “ not welcome to operate a casino in Everett.” Mayor DeMaria has a veto over any new casino operators in the city, under terms of the gaming license. Mohegan Sun is positioning itself to buy the Everett casino is Wynn Resorts loses its license for Encore Boston Harbor. Mohegan Sun and its partner Suffolk Downs sought to place a casino in the Boston suburb of Revere.

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