Hard Rock Seeks to Reverse Hellinikon Casino License Ruling

Casino and hospitality company Hard Rock International has appealed the Hellenic Gaming Commission’s decision to reject its bid for the development of a casino resort as part of the planned €8 billion Hellinikon complex at the site of a defunct airport near Athens.

The Greek gambling regulator last month officially announced that it has chosen Hard Rock rival Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment as the preferred winner of the casino license that authorizes its holder to participate in the Hellinikon scheme.

In a statement, Hard Rock said Monday that the outcome of the initial decision of the Hellenic Gaming Commission was “improperly determined.” The company also pointed out that it “remains confident in its submission and firmly believes its proposal is the best for Hellinikon and Greece.”

Hard Rock’s statement went on:

“We are confident that the judicial and administrative systems, whether in Greece or the EU, will recognise that Hard Rock International has been unfairly treated. Hard Rock remains supportive of the current Greek administration and is hopeful that Prime Minister Mitsotakis will personally take action to investigate the claims put forth in our appeal and work toward his administration’s promise of a business-friendly environment and a bright future for the country of Greece.”

The Hellenic Gaming Commission informed Hard Rock about its decision to reject the company’s casino bid late last month. The gaming and hospitality giant had ten days to appeal the commission’s decision.

Hard Rock said back in January that it would take the matter to the European Commission and to competent Greek authorities to protect its brand “from unfair and improper practices.”

Possible Conflict of Interest

News that Hard Rock’s bid would be rejected by the Greek gambling regulator first started to float around in December. Back then, the company’s CEO, Jim Allen, spoke with Greek Finance Minister Christos Staikouras and Development and Investment Minister Adonis Georgiades during the 21st Annual Capital Link Invest in Greece Forum in New York and told them that the casino license selection process might have been burdened by a conflict of interest.

Hard Rock claims it has discovered that the law firm that advised the Hellenic Gaming Commission and the Hellinikon IRC Tender Committee has been representing a member of Mohegan, the other casino license bidder, since 2008.

In a statement following the official announcement that Mohegan and its INSPIRE Athens project was selected over Hard Rock’s proposal, the Florida-based gaming and hospitality company said that it “firmly believes it was wrongly disqualified based on an inaccurate rationale and a clear conflict of interest.”

According to sources, the Hellenic Gaming Commission told Hard Rock that the application documents the company submitted last year to participate in the casino tender process did not meet financial criteria and demonstrate sufficient development experience.

Hard Rock responded to those reports by saying that it was “absolutely laughable” to think that the company lacked the financial capacity and construction capabilities to complete its proposed €1 billion casino resort.

Hard Rock currently operates a number of casinos in its home state, Florida, as well as in New Jersey, Iowa, Mississippi, and Canada, among others. The company is also looking to build an integrated casino resort in Japan and has recently been selected to develop a luxury resort in Spain.

Hard Rock’s appeal in Greece could further push back the long-anticipated start of the Hellinikon project. One of the largest development schemes in Greek history has been delayed for years mainly due to obstacles relating to the casino licensee selection process.

Picking the developer of the casino portion of the larger multi-purpose complex was a mandatory condition before construction work could kick off.

Source: Hard Rock Submits Appeal against Gaming Commission’s Casino Decision

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the day’s top casino news stories

Related Articles

Related News