Despite being active in iGaming, Wynn wants to stop gambling expansion in the state
A new push to expand online gambling in Massachusetts has sparked an unexpected showdown, placing Encore Boston Harbor operator Wynn Resorts on the same side as long-standing critics of gaming growth. Wynn didn’t speak at the recent legislative hearing on proposed gambling bills, but the company made its position unmistakably clear in a letter sent to the committee: legalizing online casino games would jeopardize jobs, tax revenue, and the stability of the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos.
The bill at the center of the debate, filed by Representative David Muradian, would allow players to use their phones to wager on poker, blackjack, and similar games. Wynn argues that iGaming could cut deeply into Encore’s revenue and, by extension, threaten the 3,300 employees who keep the Everett resort running. The company’s stance directly clashes with local giant DraftKings, which is aggressively lobbying for legalization and sees online gaming as a major growth opportunity.
Sports-betting operators are pouring significant resources into the fight. The Sports Betting Alliance, whose members include DraftKings and BetMGM, has sharply increased its spending on Beacon Hill, driven largely by its push for iGaming.
DraftKings alone more than doubled its lobbying expenditures this year, emphasizing the economic benefits it believes online gaming would deliver. The company says legalization could bring anywhere from $170 million to $275 million in annual tax revenue, depending on the structure lawmakers choose.
Wynn disputes those projections, arguing that phone-based gambling is more addictive, easier to access, and more likely to cannibalize existing casino activity. The company also warns of ripple effects on local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses. Labor unions share that concern, pointing to job losses reported in other states that have already adopted online casino platforms.
While Wynn didn’t reference its proposed $400 million Encore expansion, critics note that iGaming could further delay the project. With Massachusetts weighing the future of its gambling landscape, the clash between casino operators and online-first companies is only intensifying.
