Greece to Launch Hellinikon Casino Licensing Tender in Fall

The Hellinikon project. Photo Source: https://thehellinikon.com

The Hellenic Gaming Commission is set to announce an international tender for a casino license, paving the way for the highly-delayed 8-billion-euro Hellinikon project – a bailout requirement – to get underway.

The said casino will occupy a 15,000m space in one of the skyscrapers on the Hellinikon premises with the winning concessionaire retaining the right of operation for up to 30 years. Once completed, it will be the first integrated casino resort – including gaming-integrated hotels, convention facilities, entertainment shows, theme parks, luxury retail and fine dining – in Europe.

According to media reports, US-based gaming corporation Ceasars Entertainment appears to have expressed its intention to participate in the tender.

The Hellinikon project. Photo Source: https://thehellinikon.com

The decision was published in the Government Gazette last week parallel to a Council of State ruling that the presidential decree for the development of Athens former airport along the Athenian Riviera into a multipurpose resort area is legal and abides by the constitution.

The gaming commission will initially recruit consultants with the aim of launching the bidding auction this fall, postponing to 2019 a call for tenders for similar licenses on Mykonos, Crete and Santorini.