Europe’s largest casino opens on the island of Cyprus
It’s official! The suspense has lasted almost ten years, but the City of Dreams Mediterranean has finally seen the light of day in Cyprus! The coastal town of Limassol is now ready to welcome guests to its brand-new hotel complex, which houses “the largest casino in Europe”. The Republic of Cyprus hopes to attract at least 300,000 tourists each year, including wealthy customers from Africa and the Middle East. Read on.
City of Dreams Mediterranean: “James Bond would love to go there”.
” The City of Dreams Mediterranean is, I think, a hotel James Bond would like to visit if he existed. “says Lawrence Ho, CEO of the Hong Kong-based Melco Group in Limassol. After three years of construction, some 637 million euros invested and a long delay in relation to the original delivery date, the gigantic hotel complex was inaugurated with a grand opening ceremony.
This hotel & casino resort aimed primarily at a wealthy clientele (overnight stays cost between €425 and €2,300 during the summer period) is the very first of its kind to be built by Melco Resorts & Entertainment outside Asia. The City of Dreams Mediterranean, with its 500 hotel rooms and suites, 7 restaurants, bars, cafés and numerous swimming pools, also relies on its casino to attract customers.
” We want to conquer new markets in Africa and the Middle East. The City of Dreams Mediterranean has made this customer profile its priority. “says American Grant Johnson, the resort’s general manager.
Those lucky enough to stay at the City of Dreams Mediterranean Those who love casino games won’t have time to get bored, as the 7,500 m² casino features 100 classic gaming tables and 1,000 slot machines.
Competing with casinos on the Turkish side of the island
Cyprus is divided into two parts. The northern part has been under Turkish occupation since Ankara invaded Cyprus in 1974. However, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has created a highly competitive casino tourism market that attracts large numbers of gamblers every year.
The southern part of the island, controlled by the Cypriot government and whose political decisions are strongly influenced by the Orthodox Church, still refused casinos until recently. Indeed, it was not until 2015 that such establishments were legalized in the Republic of Cyprus.
The City of Dreams Mediterranean is the first complex of its kind to operate in the south of the island.. And it’s not just any complex: 2,000 employees have been recruited to keep it running 24/7.
