Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican, had a scheduling conflict, a spokesman said, and instead privately visited the casino resort on Friday. The future of the casino industry went to the statewide ballot in 2014, and voters affirmed they want casinos here.īut no prominent statewide elected officials showed up for the launch event.

In 2011, state lawmakers passed a sweeping, expanded gaming act that was signed into law by then-governor Deval Patrick, a Democrat. The state government will collect 25 percent of the casino’s gambling revenue in taxes. Encore sits in what is expected to be Massachusetts’ largest and most lucrative gambling market.

Erin Clark for The Boston GlobeĮncore is the state’s third casino, coming after the MGM Springfield casino, which opened last year, and the Plainridge Park Casino slots parlor, which opened in Plainville in 2015. The Encore, enveloped in fireworks and smoke.