Genting Malaysia and Caesars Entertainment Corp have reportedly lost interest in bidding for a license to develop a casino at Greece’s Hellenikon International Airport due to ongoing delays in the process.
According to local business newspaper Naftemporiki, the Development and Investment Ministry has now set a 30 September 2019 deadline to determine the successful bidder after meeting with Hard Rock International and Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment to allay concerns over the project’s future.
The two stand as the current front-runners for the casino, which would form part of a larger €8 billion integrated resort to be built by Lamda Development and backed by Chinese and Gulf investors. The development will include luxury residences, hotels, a yachting marina, entertainment facilities, retail, F&B and MICE as well as the casino complex.
However, Ministry boss Adonis Georgiadis warned this week that, “Without the tender for the casino the investment at Helleniko cannot proceed.”
The Hellenic Gaming Commission called for tenders in February, with all bids set at a minimum of €30 million for a 30-year casino license.
Mohegan announced in July that it had partnered with Greek construction giant GEK Terna to bid for the casino development.
