Cyprus Casinos, the Cypriot casino brand of gaming and hospitality giant Melco Resorts & Entertainment, today cut the ribbon on its third satellite casino in the tiny Mediterranean republic.
The facility spreads over 367 square meters on a 13,829-square-meter plot in the heart of Ayia Napa, local news outlet In-Cyprus reports. Its launch follows last month’s first year’s anniversary of the Cyprus Casinos brand’s entry into the newly regulated Cypriot casino market.
C2 Ayia Napa features 50 slot machines, a bar, and an on-site dedicated parking for patrons of the gambling venue. It is open every day from 3:00 pm until 6 am and employs more than 40 people.
As mentioned earlier, the new satellite casino is located in downtown Ayia Napa, known to be one of the most popular tourist hubs in the island nation.
Commenting on today’s launch, Cyprus Casinos and City of Dreams Mediterranean President Craig Ballantyne said that the location of their newest property is ideal. Mr. Ballantyne went on that they are confident “C2 Ayia Napa will help to enhance the city’s tourist product and significantly contribute to the sustainable growth of the local and island’s economy.”
The Ayia Napa facility is the third satellite casino in Cyprus Casinos’ portfolio. The company debuted its first such venues – one in the Cypriot capital Nicosia and the other at Larnaca International Airport – late last year.
Melco’s Cypriot business also currently operates a temporary casino in Limassol, which opened doors last June. The facility will remain operational while the main City of Dream Mediterranean integrated casino resort is under development.
Melco and its local partner, CNS Group, broke ground on the multi-million project this past spring. The resort, Melco’s first outside Asia and Europe’s first of this type and scale, is expected to open doors in late 2021.
Cyprus Casinos Approaches 1 Million Visitor Mark
Cyprus Casinos said earlier this month that its three facilities in Limassol, Nicosia, and Larnaca welcomed nearly 880,000 patrons during the first year since the opening of the Limassol temporary casino. The company also noted that it is on track to welcome its millionth visitor sometime in August.
Under the terms of Melco’s casino gambling license from Cypriot authorities, the company’s local subsidiary can open one more satellite casino. That fourth facility is slated to launch late this year and will be located in the city of Paphos.
Earlier this month, Melco was honored at the 8th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards for its contribution to the nation’s economy. Commenting on their recognition and their investment effort in Cyprus, Melco’s Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said that the Mediterranean republic has “tremendous economic potential and is now firmly on the radar of international investors.”
The Hong Kong businessman further dwelt that City of Dreams Mediterranean, when it opens doors, will certainly have a huge positive impact on the Cypriot economy and will help the nation attract tens of thousands of international tourists, create hundreds of new jobs, and combat “the tough issue of seasonality.”
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