Operator News
Greece – Hard Rock confident of overturning Hellenikon licence award
By Phil - 28 April 2020
Hard Rock International (HRI) has said it is still confident a court challenge will see the company become the license holder for the casino to be built at the former Hellenikon International Airport in Greece.
Greece’s highest administrative court was set to hear Hard Rock’s appeal on April 27 but with the country on lock down that has been delayed.
The licence was awarded to Connecticut’s Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment who plans to work with Greek contractor GEK Terna to develop a casino inside the €8bn tourist project at the former Hellenikon airport close to the Greek capital. The complex will also include luxury residences, hotels, conference and convention space, sports and cultural areas and a yachting marina.
Speaking to The National Herald, Michael Karloutsos, a spokesman for Hard Rock, said: “Hard Rock International will ultimately win the competition for Hellenikon. Hard Rock is the only company to have developed a project like this before and they will do it again. Hard Rock International is the only contender with a recognisable global brand and a world-wide network with staying power that can attract much needed additional tourists to Greece. COVID-19 might have something to say about the timing of this going forward but I assure you that Hard Rock International is prepared to present our case and ultimately win either way, whether it is here in the Greek Supreme Administrative Court or the European Court.”
Hard Rock said last year that it was ‘absolutely laughable’ that its expertise was being questioned, adding that ‘it was wrongly disqualified’ due to ‘unfair and improper practice.’
Sources had claimed that Hard Rock has missed the deadline to supply a letter of guarantee, didn’t have enough construction experience to get the casino up and operating and die not have enough financing, all of which were challenged by the Florida-based casino group. Hard Rock claims the seven-member gaming commission made ‘serious irregularities’ throughout the process.
