First look at the new Encore Boston Harbor casino, open this weekend

Encore Boston Harbor offers reporters their first tour of the new casino and resort Friday

A walk-through of the 3 million square foot, $ 2.6 billion resort took several hours while staff showcased the facility's gaming, restaurant and hotel features.

The casino features 3,158 slot machines, 143 table games and 88 poker tables. Resort features include a spa, salon, fitness center, convention center, 11 restaurants and three bars.

The casino is set to open to the public Sunday at 10 am. Regulators with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission granted approval Friday for the grand opening.

Casino officials expect 50,000 people to show up for opening day and plans for parking and transportation to and from Boston Harbor are closely watched by surrounding towns and cities.

Encore and city leaders are encouraging people to take alternative transportation because there are only about 3,000 parking spots on the casino property. Parking spaces will cost $ 22 for six hours and $ 42 for 24 hours.

If successful, the new building can be a model for the company's future expansion. Company CEO Matthew Maddox says the company envisions opening resorts similar to Encore Boston Harbor in New York, Chicago and other major U.S. cities

Wynn Resorts, the parent company of Encore Boston Harbor, provided most of these photos and videos from inside the new facility. Members of the media were only allowed to record a short look at the casino floor.

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