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Greece Casino: Hard Rock Not Going Down without a Fight
Posted On 23 Jan 2020
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Tag: Athenian Riviera, Athens former airport, casino license, casino Licensing, casinos Greece, former Athens international airport, Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (EEEP), GEK Terna Group, Greece, Greece business, Greece casino framework, Greece casino ventures, Greece casinos, Greece economy, Greece gambling, Greece gaming, Greece infrastructure projects, Greece investments, Greece news, Greece tourism, Greece tourism and travel, Greece travel, Greece's former Hellinikon Airport site, Greek news, Hard Rock Casinos, Hard Rock International, Hellenic Gaming Commission, Helliniko Lamda Development, Helliniko SA Athenian Riviera, Hellinikon, Hellinikon investment, Hellinikon Project, high investment grade rating, integrated resort and casino, Jim Allen, Lamda, MGE, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, one-billion-euro investment
The battle between Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and Hard Rock International for the license to manage an integrated casino resort at Hellinikon in Athens officially came to an end earlier this week but still has a long way to go after Hard Rock announced on Thursday that it would be taking the matter to the European Commission.
The news came after Hard Rock International was officially notified by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) of its decision to disqualify the company from the Hellinikon casino tender process in Athens
“Hard Rock will take the necessary actions to protect the company and its brand from unfair and improper practices both in Greece and with the European Commission,” the US company said in a statement, adding that it was “disappointed” by both the EEEP’s decision to reject its bid as well as with the process.
“While we are disappointed by this news, we are more disappointed in the process. Hard Rock firmly believes it was wrongly disqualified based on an inaccurate rationale and a clear conflict of interest,” the company also said.
The Florida-based company said that after instructing its legal advisers in Greece and Brussels to evaluate the matter, it found that the law firm advising the EEEP and the Hellinikon IRC Tender Committee has been representing a member of the rival bidder since 2008.
Hard Rock said it had then proceeded to notify all parties involved.
Concluding its statement, Hard Rock said all legal actions are taken with the aim to “see that a fair process for the tender is completed and that the technical and financial sections of the submission are opened for both parties to ensure a transparent outcome.”
