Finishing touches - plus $35M fine - all that's left for Encore Boston Harbor

BOSTON — Casino officials in Everett have less than 30 days to pay a massive fine if they want to open their doors on time.

Encore Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio spoke about the finer details at a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting Monday.

Part of that was the transportation plan and how to get the expected 8 million visitors each year to and from the casino.

One option will be a water taxi shuttle from the World Trade Center right to a boat slip attached to the casino.

"We think that first week is going to be extremely busy," DeSalvio said. "It's hard to say you think of everything, but we put a lot of effort into making the situation as good as possible."

He wouldn't say just how many people the casino expects on June 23, but he told the Gaming Commission he would be ready.

Wynn Resorts still has to pay the state gaming commission $35.5 million in fines before they ever open the doors. It's punishment in the wake of a Mass. Gaming Commission investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by former Wynn Resorts owner Steve Wynn.

"We have convened a procurement management team to begin the selection process for the independent monitor," MGC Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein said Monday.

That watchdog will also have to be in place to ensure employee safety and sexual harassment training compliance at the Everett Casino.

DeSalvio also outlined a new transportation plan with a focus on commuting that casino officials hope will ease congestion around the property, including bus and water taxi shuttles.

"We are suggesting that the public used alternate means than bringing their automobile to the property," DeSalvio said.

Some of those shuttles, like buses from MBTA stations at Wellington and Malden will be free. Others, like the water taxi, will cost $7.

Cox Media Group