Hard Rock celebrates groundbreaking for casino in Athens
The resort is set to open in 2027. Hard Rock is a Seminole Tribe-owned operator that is predominantly US-based but has a global presence.
Hard Rock International celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens.
The event itself took place at the Hellinikon Airport with a commemorative shovel celebration, and at the Hellinikon Experience Center with Hard Rock International executives, GEK Terna Group executives, Greek Government officials, political dignitaries and local community leaders present.
It is expected that the venue will open in 2027 and is said to be the first integrated resort of its kind in continental Europe (the City of Dreams is based in Cyprus, off of the mainland), featuring a variety of amenities such as a gaming floor, entertainment venue, meeting space, among other things.
The casino itself will consist of 180 tables and 1,500 gaming machines.
The project is due to cost €1.5bn ($1.65bn) which will generate 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.
Chairman of Hard Rock International, Jim Allen, said: “Today is a very special day as we celebrate this momentous occasion to bring our unique brand entertainment to Athens.
“We are grateful to all the political leaders, our partners at Gek Terna and the people of Athens for supporting us and this project.”
Chairman and CEO of Gek Terna Group, George Peristeris, added: “We are delighted that in cooperation with a world leader in this sector, Hard Rock International, we are realising an investment much higher than its already significant nominal value, offering Greece a development project that will be a reference point for our country’s tourism product internationally, will offer employment to thousands of people and yield significant revenues to the national budget.
“A project with high domestic added value, as all our investments have always intended. The Integrated Resort Complex in Hellinikon is no longer a promise, a vision, or a plan. It is a project that is already being built, proving in practice that we implement our commitments.”
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