The new casino resort planned for Hellinikon, Greece is taking submissions from gambling operators interested in running the property’s casino. They have until June 28 to submit their application, but when Greece will announce the winner isn’t known. An election just ordered by Greece’s Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, to be held July 7 will most likely result in a delay in the 
bidding process as focus turns to the election.
According to Greek media outlet Kathimerini, there are too many moving parts to the country’s government schema now to allow anything other than attention on the elections. Tsipras is nearing the end of his term – he only has four months remaining – and Parliament is set to dissolve this week before the election. With the tumultuous and sensitive nature of the country’s economy, everyone is turning toward getting through any vote before looking at other activity.
The Hellinikon project has already faced several delays. The resort, which is expected to cost well over $1 billion by the time it’s complete, is being built where the Ellinikon International Airport used to sit and the bidding process has already been delayed twice. Most recently, the deadline for submitting applications was extended from May 31 to its new date. Those delays came due to zoning problems and government issues.
According to some sources, the delays have been the work of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), a Greek political party. It is comprised of other parties, mostly communist, who share its ideals, as well as those of Karl Marx, Mao Tse Tung and others. Tsipras is the leader of that party and the rumored source of the delays contradicts what the Prime Minister has previously stated. He has promised to have the resort operational before he leaves office.
When (and, perhaps, if) Greece’s government can move forward with the Hellinikon resort, the operator awarded rights to the casino license will be in place for 30 years, unless they are found to be in violation of laws. All bidders have to demonstrate experience in gaming facility operations that have at least 100 gaming tables and 500 slot machines.
If Tsipras isn’t able to retain power and the New Democracy Party, under the leadership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, takes over, it could be a good thing for the Hellinikon resort. Mitsotakis has promised to have the plan approved during his first week in office.
