Greece Casino Competition Marred by Conflict

The Hellinikon project.

A repeatedly delayed tender for the 30-year license to operate an integrated resort and casino on the yet-to-group Hellinikon mega complex on the Athenian Riviera appears to have run into yet another glitch with one of the two bidders – Hard Rock International – claiming it has been excluded from the game.

According to local press reports, the Florida-based giant’s CEO Jim Allen revealed suspicions that Hard Rock may have been removed from the race to Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Development & Investments Minister Adonis Georgiadis during the 21st Capital Link Invest in Greece forum held in New York, earlier this week.

Hard Rock’s proposal for the resort & casino in Hellenikon. Photo © EUROKINISSI

The company is reportedly looking into the matter.

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is the only other bidder to have submitted documentation in the tender by the Greek Gaming Commission October 4 deadline.

INSPIRE Athens is Mohegan’s concept for the integrated resort and casino.

Georgiadis had said in October that he expected to announce the winner of  the tender in “two months’ time provided there were no objections”. According to reports one of the bidders for the license appears to have provided incomplete data and financial information resulting in the further delay of the announcement.

Selecting the developer of the casino resort is a requirement in order for the 9-billion-euro Hellinikon project – to be implemented by Lamda Development – to proceed.

According to international media, Hard Rock is reportedly planning to file a suit against Greek authorities in local and European courts, if it is excluded from the competition, with Mohegan claiming to do the same.