Encore Boston Harbor Slots Stopped Working Briefly Friday Due to Technical Glitch

Posted on: February 22, 2020, 04:50h. 

Last updated on: February 23, 2020, 11:30h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Slots at the Encore Boston Harbor temporarily malfunctioned late Friday because of a suspected computer failure at the new casino, leaving some frustrated players, news reports said.

The Encore Boston Harbor experienced a technical failure Friday leading to slots malfunctioning Friday night. (Image: Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Officials at the Wynn Resorts gaming property confirmed the technical glitch to Boston TV stations. It was not officially known how many of the slots were impacted on what typically is one of the busiest nights of the week at the Everett, Massachusetts casino.

WFXT initially reported that each of the over 2,800 slot machines temporarily stopped working. Around 9:30 pm, some displayed an error message while others were again functioning, news reports said.

In response, casino employees gave out winnings to lucky players by hand. Several players called WCVB to report the slots were showing the message “call attendant.”

“We experienced a brief system outage with our slot ticketing system in which we reverted to hand-payments for all guests,” an Encore Boston Harbor spokeswoman told Casino.org on Saturday morning. “The issue has since been resolved.”

The Encore notes the presence of automated games on its website. “Enjoy baccarat, blackjack, and roulette at our fully automated or dealer assisted tables, with the ease and fun of faster play,” the website advises would-be players.

Encore Moves Toward Installing More Technology

The computer glitch comes as Encore officials want to rely more on technology in other operations. Last week, Casino.org reported how Encore’s Warren Richards, who is the property’s executive director of food and beverage, appeared before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to ask if the Encore can alter its beverage operations on the casino floor.

The commissioners approved allowing Encore to install automated beverage machines at four service areas. The automated drink dispensers are designed to speed-up service.

Currently, cocktail servers take orders from patrons gambling, and bartenders in the back of the house fulfill the orders. Richards says there is often a bottleneck backup, and service can be delayed by as much as an hour.

Lingering Problems at Louisiana Casino

The Encore tech breakdown comes the same week as another computer glitch led to technical failure at Louisiana’s Jena Choctaw Pines Casino over the Presidents Day weekend. Approximately 300 of its 710 slots were shut down, according to KALB. The Grant Parish tribal casino said in a statement there were communication malfunctions between the slots on the gaming floor and computer servers.

It appeared to impact players trying to check reward points or attempting to get cash. The communication link appeared to have broken.

As of Friday, the casino said in a Facebook post its “Glory kiosk (ticket-cashing machines) are up and running! Tomorrow is the Robe earn & get, so, instead of redeeming your voucher at the Players Club Kiosk, you will just go to the Players Club to receive your gift, after earning the required points.

“Since the Players Club kiosk is still down, the games you would come in to play & win will still be postponed for this weekend. Unfortunately the Sunday Spinnin’ & Winnin’ tournament that was scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 23 will be canceled.”