Melco has selected tourist-busy locations for its final two satellite casinos in the Republic of Cyprus
Macau casino giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment announced Thursday the locations of the two satellite casinos it plans to open in the Republic of Cyprus later this year, local news outlet the Cyprus Mail reported.
Under the terms of its gaming license from Cypriot authorities, Melco can operate up to five casinos – one main gambling venue and four satellite facilities – across the Mediterranean nation. The company launched a temporary facility near the site where its main resort, City of Dreams Mediterranean, would be built, in June 2018. Construction on the luxury hotel and casino complex is expected to commence any day now in Limassol.
Melco’s first two satellite casinos opened doors late last year – one in the Cypriot capital Nicosia and the other at Larnaca International Airport.
The company’s final two satellite facilities will open in Ayia Napa and Paphos. Both cities are major hubs for international visitors of the island nation.
The Ayia Napa casino will be located on Archbishop Makarios Avenue, right next to Faros Hotel. The facility will thus join the busiest part of the popular seaside resort. The gambling venue is slated to open doors this summer. An exact opening date is yet to be announced by casino owners.
When Is The Final Satellite Casino Opening?
The Paphos satellite casino will be located at the end of Aphrodite Avenue. Melco said that it would build the gaming facility and other amenities over 2,600 square meters of land. The actual satellite casino will occupy 550 square meters. The property is expected to open doors in late 2019.
Both facilities will feature approximately 50 slot machines each, as required under Cyprus’ gambling law.
Commenting on yesterday’s announcement, Craig Ballantyne, Property President of City of Dreams Mediterranean and Cyprus Casinos (C2), Melco’s Cypriot casino business, said that both locations they have selected for their two new casinos are ideal as they are in the heart of Ayia Napa and Paphos’ tourist areas.
Mr. Ballantyne went on to say that they aim to “establish Cyprus as a year-round destination and contribute to the growth of the tourism market as well as sustainable economic growth.”
According to recently released data by the Cypriot Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, the nation’s three operational casinos attracted nearly half a million visitors in the period between June 2018 and January 2019. Casino patrons gambled more than €210 million and some €175 million was paid out in winnings.
The temporary casino in Limassol was the major draw with its 242 slot machines and 33 gaming tables. The facility will remain operational until the opening of the main casino floor. As mentioned earlier, construction of Melco’s first integrated resort outside Asia and the largest property of this kind in Europe is slated to commence any day now. The company targets 2021 opening of the luxury hotel and casino complex.
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