A consortium led by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has won preferred bidder status to build and operate a resort casino in Athens.
U.S.-based Mohegan and Greek partner GEK TERNA emerged as front-runners for the 30-year license based on a decision by the government’s Hellenic Gaming Commission.
Pending the conclusion of contract negotiations and endorsements from auditors and the country’s parliament, the project, dubbed Inspire Athens, will get under way with plans for a luxury hotel, a casino, entertainment and multipurpose events facilities, retail shopping and restaurants and outdoor attractions to complement a €8 billion (US$9.4 billion) redevelopment of the city’s former Hellenikon airport. The facility is being designed by Las Vegas-based Steelman Partners.
The resort “will redefine the modern identity of Greece,” said MGE President and CEO Mario Kontomerkos.
“Inspire Athens will further solidify the city of Athens as one of Europe’s most enticing and iconic destinations.”
The company said the project will grow international tourism to the city by “at least 10 percent,” will generate more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs and “contribute millions of euros annually to both the government and the people of Greece in the form of taxes, infrastructure improvement and public services.”
