Guests were lined up outside the Encore Boston Harbor casino before 7 a.m. ahead of Sunday’s grand opening. They were among the first people let inside the doors when they officially opened this morning right after a huge fireworks display.
A lot of people have been waiting a while for the day. Fifty thousand people were expected. Increases traffic, especially in the Everett and Revere areas, was expected. That wasn't the case.
While traffic didn't appear to be too heavy Sunday morning, long lines deterred some patrons from even getting in the new building. At one point, there was a two hour wait to get into Encore.
Construction of the $2.6 billion project began three years ago. There are 3,158 slot machines, 670 hotel rooms, 88 poker tables and more than 5,000 employees that keep the operation going.
Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo has put together a "Casino Advisory Commission." That will monitor the impact of the resort and casino, both good and bad.
If you’ve been traveling along the Mass. Pike this week you might’ve seen some signs that say to expect delays. Some signs are also encouraging commuters to use MBTA services instead of driving.
Carlo DeMaria, the mayor of Everett, was emotional when he addressed the crowd in a press conference before the grand opening. He referenced the Monsanto acid leak from the 1950s, and said that now when people walk through Everett, it will smell of flowers and trees.
Local
"We're no longer the back door to Boston, we are now the front door to Everett," he said.
The casino does not permit the following items inside:
- Large bags or backpacks
- Outside food and beverages
- Coolers and strollers
- Professional photography equipment and no professional photography is allowed inside
- Weapons
- Illegal drugs
- Marijuana.
