Encore Boston Harbor Now Provides Free Self-Parking

Posted on: October 7, 2019, 07:17h. 

Last updated on: October 7, 2019, 11:38h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Encore Boston Harbor is making it easier to get to the new Everett, Massachusetts casino, with free self-parking for guests seven days a week. That is in contrast to many properties in Las Vegas now charge gamblers parking fees.

With the no-charge policy starting last Friday, it is also a welcome change for drivers from pricey paid parking. Previously, the cost to park in the Encore’s garage was $22 for up to six hours, and it was $42 for each full day.

Initially, management of the Wynn Resorts property urged patrons to take public transportation, ferries ,or shuttles to reach the venue.

There are 2,900 parking spots in the Encore’s garage, which MassLive.com reports is, on average, insufficient to provide every driver with a place to park.

Free self-parking is an amenity not frequently found in the Boston region. For instance, the Boston Common Garage, located underneath the large park in downtown Boston, typically charges between $12 and $32 weekdays for parking, and weekend and holiday rates are between $10 and $18.

The Government Center Garage asks for between $8 and $39 for parking on weekdays. Evenings and weekends are less expensive, with the flat fee being $15.

Free self-parking is an amenity that is highly appreciated by all of our guests,” Robert DeSalvio, president of Encore Boston Harbor, said in a statement. “After a very successful weekday introduction, we are pleased to now offer free self-parking seven days a week to show how thankful we are to be Greater Boston’s hometown casino.”

There are plenty of casino-goers and other guests who will take advantage of the free offer. In August, the Encore Boston Harbor reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of more than $52.48 million.

The venue’s 210,000-square-foot gaming area has more than 3,000 slot machines and 240 table games. There are also 671 hotel rooms, as well as multiple stores, restaurants, bars, and expansive meeting space.

In a statement to Casino.org, Massachusetts Gaming Commission spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said, “Encore has successfully instituted a series of transportation demand measures, including shuttles, buses, and ferries. They are subject to rigorous transportation monitoring.

“If reviews were to identify deficiencies in meeting environmental goals, additional measures could be contemplated, such as parking pricing strategies,” Driscoll added.

Regional Competitors Provide Free Parking

Some other regional competitors already offer free parking — including MGM Springfield — are located almost 100 miles west of the Encore Boston Harbor.

Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun also do not charge for parking. But they are in more remote areas.

Still, casino-goers weighing their options on which major casino to visit in New England will no longer have to worry about parking charges.

Many Las Vegas Casinos Charge for Self-Parking

Compare it also to The Strip in the Las Vegas region, where many guests are finding an increasing number of extra fees. Once-available free parking has been eliminated at some casinos, such as MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment properties.

Wynn Resorts had followed suit. But officials had a change of heart and restored free self-parking in April. As of now, self-parking is free to guests at The Venetian and The Palazzo, too. Both are owned and operated by Las Vegas Sands.

For instance, at MGM’s MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, Mirage and New York-New York, the self-parking fee is $12 for vehicles parked between one and four hours. It is $15 for vehicles parked from four to 24 hours.

For vehicles parked at these venues over 24 hours, there is an additional self-parking fee of $15 for each additional day.