Labor Dispute Triggers Revenue Decline at Encore Boston Harbor

Encore Boston Harbor recorded its lowest monthly gross gaming revenue in more than five years during September 2026, when the property generated approximately $46.1 million; this figure represents a 22.1 percent decrease from the $59.1 million posted in the same month of the prior year, and observers note the timing coincides directly with a labor action involving roughly 1,350 employees that began on September 4. The ongoing strike centers on wages, benefits, and contract terms between management and representatives from Teamsters Local 25 along with UNITE HERE Local 26, while state tax collections from the property also fell to about $11.5 million for the period.

Strike Details and Timeline

The walkout started on September 4 and has continued without resolution into October 2026, which has kept a significant portion of the workforce off the property and affected daily operations across multiple departments; data from the Massachusetts gaming regulator shows the revenue shortfall occurred while the property operated with reduced staffing levels, and those who track casino performance note that such disruptions often produce measurable effects on table games, slot play, and ancillary services within the first month. The two unions have maintained picket lines outside the facility, and management has stated that contract negotiations remain active even as the facility continues to function under the constraints of the action.

Revenue Figures and Tax Impact

September 2026 gross gaming revenue at Encore Boston Harbor reached the lowest monthly total since at least 2021, and the $46.1 million result sits 22.1 percent below the $59.1 million recorded twelve months earlier; the corresponding drop in state tax collections to roughly $11.5 million reflects the lower gaming handle and win, while figures released by the regulator indicate that the property's contribution to the state's gaming revenue pool declined in line with the overall revenue contraction. Those who monitor Massachusetts casino data have pointed out that Encore Boston Harbor typically ranks among the stronger performers in the regional market, yet the September numbers placed it below its historical range for the month.

Contract Negotiations and Union Positions

Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26 represent the striking employees, and both organizations have cited wages, health benefits, and proposed changes to contract language as the core issues preventing a new agreement; management has responded that it seeks terms that maintain operational flexibility while remaining competitive within the regional labor market, and talks have continued at intervals throughout September and into October without producing a ratified contract. The dispute has drawn attention from other casino properties in the Northeast because the outcome could influence similar negotiations at nearby facilities, although the focus remains squarely on the situation at Encore Boston Harbor itself.

Operational Adjustments During the Action

With 1,350 workers off the job, the property adjusted staffing across restaurants, hotel services, and gaming areas, yet the facility remained open to the public throughout the month; revenue data shows declines in both slot and table games win, and those familiar with casino operations observe that reduced service capacity can influence guest dwell time and spending patterns even when the doors stay open. The strike has now extended beyond its initial four weeks, and the revenue comparison to September 2025 highlights the scale of the impact during the first full month of the labor action.

Broader Context Within Massachusetts Gaming

Encore Boston Harbor operates under the oversight of the Massachusetts gaming regulator, and the September 2026 numbers have been incorporated into the monthly statewide reports that track gross gaming revenue across all licensed properties; the $11.5 million in tax collections represents the direct share remitted from this single facility, and the decline mirrors the revenue drop while the strike persists. Observers note that the property had posted consistent year-over-year growth in most months prior to September, which makes the sudden reversal stand out against the longer-term trend line.

Conclusion

The September 2026 performance at Encore Boston Harbor stands as the lowest monthly gross gaming revenue total in more than five years, with the $46.1 million result and corresponding $11.5 million tax collection both tied to the strike that began on September 4 and involves 1,350 employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26; contract talks over wages and benefits remain unresolved as the action continues into October, and the data released by the Massachusetts gaming regulator documents the direct financial effects during the initial month of the dispute.