Caesars Entertainment Considering Athens for Next Project?

Photo source: Caesars Entertainment

The people behind Caesars’ Palace, one of the most prestigious casino hotels in the world and the largest in Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment Corporation has expressed interest in setting up shop in Athens, according to media reports.

Local media claim that the Nevada-based gaming corporation with annual revenue of 4.654 billion dollars said it plans to invest up to 3 billion euros in the creation of a massive entertainment complex with interest initially focusing on the Athens’ former airport Hellenikon space.

According to the media, Caesars Entertainment executive VP Jan Jones Blackhurst met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as well as with Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura among others to discuss the billion-dollar investment, expected to create 25,000 jobs and to include a casino, hotel facilities, some 40 restaurants, bars, cafes, a shopping center, concert halls and conference infrastructure.

Jones told Greek daily Dimokratia that Greek authorities had also suggested three other locations besides Hellenikon for the project, adding that works can start within 24 months of the agreement.

Twice elected Las Vegas mayor, Jones said the US city experienced an economic and tourism boom thanks to the resort and added that should the project go ahead in Greece, it will bring in conference tourism particularly in view of the fact the Greece is already a leading tourist destination.