Hard Rock International

A total of 2.15 billion euros will be invested by 2027 in the Elliniko plot in southern Athens by four companies that have agreed with Lamda on the development of individual parts of the area once occupied by the capital's airport.

It is estimated that the required building permits will have been secured by end-June so that these projects can start.

The publication, in the Government Gazette, of the decision of the Minister of Finance for the granting of the "license for the development and operation of a casino with a wide range of activities at the Metropolitan Pole" marks the start of the 1 billion euro investment plan for the construction of the casino and the integrated tourist complex in Ellinikon.

Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, has for a second time rejected an appeal by Hard Rock International against its exclusion from the tender for the Elliniko casino permit. 

Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, rejected for the second time an appeal by Hard Rock International against its exclusion from the tender for the Elliniko casino permit.

US casino operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment said on Monday it remains fully committed to opening a luxury casino resort in Athens as part of an 8 billion euro ($8.74 billion) redevelopment project despite the impact of the coronavirus.

Hard Rock International has announced it will take recourse to both the Greek and the European authorities against its exclusion from the tender for the Elliniko casino permit, as had been widely expected.

A countdown of 10 working days started late on Monday, until February 3, for the submission of any objections about the tender for the casino permit at the Elliniko plot, after the notification by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) to the two candidates regarding the bids submitted.

The Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) has unanimously accepted the conclusions of the committee for the tender of the Elliniko casino concerning the rejection of the bid by Hard Rock International (HRI).

Reliable sources say the decision was made at last Friday's EEEP board meeting. This decision rules HRI out of the running for the casino license at the old Athens airport plot.

It's already been three months from the day that binding offers by Hard Rock International and the consortium of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and GEK Terna were submitted for the Elliniko casino permit, but there is yet to be a decision on the sufficiency and the legitimacy of the documents submitted.

"At Elliniko we want to develop an integrated tourism and entertainment complex that will be much more than just a box with slot machines and gaming tables," explains Jim Allen, the president of Hard Rock International, which is pulling out all the stops in its bid for the license to develop and operate an integrated casino complex at Elliniko in southern Athens.