ROLR Prediction Market Goes Live: A Guide for US Players
Alex Harper • Oct 22, 2026 The resort stays open, but new state data reveals the walkout is hurting business. This guide covers September’s revenue figures, what each side wants, and what the strike means for visitors.
Where Encore Boston Strike Talks Stand Now
Picketing began early that Friday, September 4, shortly after the August 31 contract deadline passed. Specifically, two unions represent the strikers: the UNITE HERE hospitality union’s Local 26, plus Local 25 of the Teamsters. In a vote held August 20, 97% of voting members approved the walkout.
The walkout spans many jobs, from room cleaners and kitchen crews to valets, drivers, and cage cashiers. On October 24, unionized workers from other states joined them outside the resort. Additionally, local support grew after the Boston City Council’s boycott pledge on September 16.
Losses So Far
September data from the state’s Gaming Commission gives the clearest view of Encore Boston strike damage. Encore kept a little over $46 million after paying out wins, a figure the industry calls GGR. Measured against the same month last year, that is a 22% fall and the property’s poorest month since winter 2021.
| Measure | September 2026 | Context |
| Casino win (GGR) | $46.06M | 22% decline |
| Total slot wagers (coin-in) | $354.4M | 2025 figure: $444.4M |
| Table games win | $19.1M | Lowest since the pandemic |
| State tax paid (25% of GGR) | $11.5M | 2025 figure: $14.8M |
| Share of slot bets paid back | 92.41% | Best since early 2020 |
In contrast, revenue barely moved at the state’s remaining pair of casinos. MGM Springfield slipped 1.2% and finished near $22 million, whereas Plainridge Park climbed 2.4% and reached $14.6 million. Because of this split, the drop looks tied to Encore itself rather than a wider slump.
Union Demands vs Wynn’s Offer
Both sides agree the gap is about money, but they describe it very differently. The table below sets out each position as reported in October 2026.
| Issue | Unions’ Position | Wynn’s Position |
| Pay raises | $10 more per hour, phased in across four years | Calls its September proposal fair |
| Starting pay | Lowest rate of $25 hourly for any union job | No counter-figure in recent reports |
| Benefits | Written protection for current health coverage and pensions | Offered one pot of money, letting each union choose how to split it between pay and benefit plans |
| Current pay | Dispute Wynn’s average pay figure | Puts average pay plus benefits near $96,000 per worker |
| Next step | Want a stronger offer | Awaiting a union reply |
Notably, these goals grew out of the union demands before the walkout in late August. In contrast, Wynn Resorts, led by CEO Craig Billings, argues heavier labor costs could threaten the very jobs in question. Negotiators have held just two formal meetings since the picketing began.
What the Strike Means for Players Visiting Encore
The resort is still operating, so you can play, eat, and stay there. However, a visit during this Encore Boston strike looks different from a normal trip.
- Expect picket lines at the entrances, with workers asking guests not to go inside.
- Managers and table dealers are covering some slot and cashier shifts, so service may run slower.
- Union organizers want the public to avoid staying, gambling, or eating at Encore until the strike ends.
Inside the casino, Encore’s machines returned 92.41% of wagers to players in September, its best figure since early 2020. That said, the figure is a monthly average across upward of 2,700 machines, not a promise for your next session. If payout rates matter to you, compare casino games with the best payout rates before you pick where to play.
What Comes Next in Encore Boston Strike Talks
Formal talks have stalled, though both sides described recent informal conversations as positive. Wynn says it is waiting for a union reply to its September offer. Meanwhile, union officials insist the proposal misses the “Boston standard,” their term for pay at nearby union hotels.
Regulators at the Gaming Commission want a settlement too, and pressure keeps building. Striking workers rely on small union payments, while Massachusetts collected $3.3 million less tax from Encore in September. The Gaming Commission’s October figures, due next month, will show whether Encore Boston strike losses kept growing.
CasinoUS will update this story as talks move forward, alongside our other land-based casino news.
