The temporary structure, which cost €12m ($14m) to build, was constructed near the future site of Melco's €550m ($637m) City of Dreams Mediterranean resort.

The new resort casino features 242 slot machines, 33 tables, a VIP gaming room, a restaurant and two bars. Only adults above the age of 21 will be permitted.

Aside from the venues' restaurants and gaming rooms, the new casino will employ almost 600 people, 75% of them Cyprus nationals.

The group increased its interest in the Cyprus casino resort licensing project to 75% after agreeing on a deal with its local partner Cyprus Phasouri Limited last summer. The new deal officially gave the developer permission to construct its own integrated resort in Cyprus.

Satellite casinos will also start operating in Nicosia and Paphos before the end of 2018, while Larnaca and Famagusta satellite venues will be open by 2019.