Happy New Year! New England Casinos have seen their share of tough times in 2020. However, in 2021, New England Casinos will begin to see relief. Rough times are still in the future for a couple of months. However, 2021 will bring more prosperity to the region’s casinos. Here are 5 Predictions for New England Casinos in 2021.
5 Predictions for New England Casinos in 2021
Prediction #5 – Bally’s (aka TRWH) Will Work on New Empire
Bally’s is now the name. Assessing its properties is now its game. 2021 will be a hectic year for the formerly Rhode Island-based Twin River Worldwide Holdings. Nevertheless, TRWH CEO George Papanier stuck to the script, saying the Company aimed to unite “our increasingly national footprint under a singular preeminent brand.”
Raising the once-mighty Bally’s Park Place out of the pits in Atlantic City is their first step. Paying a bargain basement of $25 million for the property allows for significant funds to be available for capital improvements. The most important is a complete overhaul of the hotel-room inventory.
“Our company aimed to unite our increasingly national footprint under a singular preeminent brand.”
TRWH CEO George Papanier
Over the coming months, the Company will continue implementing a unified branding initiative, which complements the considerable geographic growth. At home, the Flagship Twin River Hotel and Casino will also undergo expansion and updates in 2021.
Prediction #4 – The First Four Months Will Be Brutal For New England
2021 will not provide any easy fixes toward normalcy. January’s surges from the holidays will complicate the handling of vaccines. Casinos must continue the safety protocols even after hospitalizations decrease. Finally, staff pandemic fatigue inside the casinos must not compromise any feelings of visitor confidence.
NETimeGambling predicts that the summer of 2021 will be the summer of hope. Getting all New Casinos back on the increased revenue track will be imperative. Spring Fever with four months of vaccines may put New England’s casinos on the road to recovery. Casino Entertainment will continue to add performances. New England casinos will open large venues with decreased capacities and stringent protocols. We predict more outside celebrations like food truck festivals, outdoor movies, and concerts.
Prediction #3 – All Hotels Will Open By March
Yes. March will be essential for opening all casino hotels. The small hotels will bring more gamblers through the doors when capacity limits increase. Oxford, Twin River/Tiverton, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor will be the first, followed by Foxwoods 4 hotels. As a result, revenue will see an increase across the board. A slight increase or no decrease will signify a long road back to normalcy.
(One note: as of September 2021, Twin River and Tiverton are the only properties not to open their hotels. MGM Springfield has opened partially, and Encore Boston Harbor is only open Thursday through Sunday.)
Prediction #2 – Encore Boston Harbor Will Consider Expansion
OK, so this is a wild prediction. But at the end of 2021, Wynn Resorts will look to make Encore Boston Harbor stand out among the rest.
Wynn Resorts purchased 11 acres of land near the casino when it began building. As a result, Encore Boston Harbor has the space to realize broader ambitions. In addition, rumors concerning the MBTA maintenance facility and the Exelon power plant across the street have hinted toward a high-end entertainment complex. We shall see.
(Another Note: no expansion is considered as of September 2021)
AND #1 IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS
Prediction #1B – Poker is Back By March!
It could be earlier. After Mohegan Sun shows it can exist safely with limits and protocols, other poker rooms will open. After the holiday surge begins to subside by late February, Poker Rooms at Encore, MGM, and Foxwoods will open first due to the excellent ventilation in those areas. Due to size and ventilation, Hollywood Bangor and Twin River Poker Rooms will take longer.
Besides Poker Rooms, casinos will offer more tables in each casino. In addition, more areas will open up in the larger casinos, enabling fringe novelty games to return.
(Yet Another Note: Poker is only back in New Hampshire and Connecticut Casinos, However, MGM Springfield is expecting to bring it back by Fall, as well as Encore.)
Prediction #1A – Sports Betting Arrives in New England
Yes. The biggest of our 5 Predictions for New England Casinos in 2021 is the arrival of legalized sports betting. The Tribes and Gov. Lamont bickered over it becoming a reality in Connecticut for months. But warmer weather will see warmer relations, and Connecticut will have legalized sports betting AND online gambling by summer. Foxwoods contracted with DraftKings. Their deal is said to set the stage for online sports betting “ahead of the anticipated launch of legal sports betting in Connecticut.”
“We’ve been talking about this for close to a decade in this state. And I think Connecticut ought to participate and it ought to be led by the tribes.”
Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut
Not close behind in Massachusetts. But, the Senate shot down legalizing sports betting in MA on two separate occasions. So, trying to keep hope alive, two joint letters have been penned to ask for action. According to LegalSportsReport.com, ” One came from Penn National and Wynn asking casinos to control the industry. The other is from local professional teams, DraftKings and FanDuel urging inclusion in the economic development bill.”
Related Post – New England Sports Betting Is Close to Reality
Summary
The year 2021 will be better than 2020. As a result, the casino, travel, and tourism industries will take a big step forward. But not until summer.
April showers bring May flowers, and June will bring gamblers.
Binbin
You’re welcome. Mohegan is my preferred casino also.
This was a wealth of information! Thank You so much. I’ll play a little different. And Mohegan Sun is my preferred casino.