Gaming makes big headlines on Sunday

BUSINESS news rarely breaks on a Sunday, but one week ago, somebody missed that memo, and the gaming industry stood back and watched two of its major Las Vegas-based companies make headlines.

Wynn Resorts Ltd. had been gearing up to make the Sunday news cycle for months when it declared it was going to open the doors to Encore Boston Harbor on June 23. Meanwhile, after much speculation Reno-based Eldorado Resorts announced its pending acquisition of Caesars Entertainment Corp.

Many, myself included, thought a June 23 Encore Boston Harbor opening couldn’t be done, considering the regulatory quagmire Wynn was stuck in as recently as April. That’s when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission decided to let Wynn retain its license in Massachusetts but assessed a record $35.5 million in fines. The company’s suitability was in question after an investigation determined that former Wynn Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn and other executives failed to disclose a $7.5 million settlement payment in 2005 to a woman who said he forced her to have sex with him. Steve Wynn has denied harassing anyone.

No way the regulatory wheels could turn efficiently enough to pull off the type of opening Steve Wynn was known for — he’s been credited with remaking the face of Las Vegas at least three times, once at The Mirage, once at Bellagio and once at Wynn Las Vegas.

But it happened. When people have asked what Encore Boston Harbor is like, I’ve told them that if you plopped me into the middle of anywhere in the resort and I didn’t know I was in Boston, I would swear I was at Wynn or Encore in Las Vegas.

There are plenty of similarities and a few differences between Wynn’s Las Vegas and Boston entries.

Similar: The art. It’s everywhere, and people were exploring it all on opening day.

Different: No smoking. Thanks to Massachusetts law, there is no smoking in the casino. People say it would be impossible for the Nevada Legislature to ban smoking in casinos here. But I’ve got to tell you … it was pretty nice.

Similar: The flowers. The Boston landscaping is just as lush and beautiful as it is