Hellinikon Casino Licensing Bid Again Delayed to July 31

An impression of Vouliagmenis avenue after the Hellinikon project is completed. Photo Source: https://thehellinikon.com

The bidder set to be awarded the licence for the operation of a casino in the already deferred Hellinikon project will have to wait until July 31 – 11am, due to delays in the issue of joint ministerial decisions most likely a result of imminent national elections on July 7.

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

More specifically, the Hellenic Gaming Commission approved the extension of the international tender for a casino license at Hellinikon this week. This is the third delay with the previous deadline set for June 28.

According to reports, the Greek government has yet to issue three urban planning ministerial decisions connected to the one-billion-euro casino project, which will include more than 500 slot machines and 100 gaming tables.

Casino operators will be bidding for the right to develop and operate Europe’s first Integrated Resort Casino-IRC for a period of 30 years. The first Hellinikon investment, the casino will include gaming-integrated hotels, convention facilities, entertainment shows, theme parks, luxury retail and fine dining, and is set to occupy approximately 15,000m2 space on Hellinikon grounds allocated by Lamda Development, the consortium behind the project.

Photo Source: https://thehellinikon.com

The delayed Hellinikon venture is an eight-billion-euro-plus project to develop Athens’ former airport complex into a multi-purpose hub complete with metropolitan park, shops, offices, sports and conference facilities, luxury hotels, theme parks, museums, malls, cultural venues, health centers, educational and research facilities and marina.

Last April, Lamda Development had expressed hopes that the project would finally begin in 2019.