GGRAsia – Melco interim Cyprus casino drew 175,000 in three months

Melco interim Cyprus casino drew 175,000 in three months

Sep 28, 2018 Newsdesk Latest News, Top of the deck, World

The developer of the C2 casino, an interim facility in the southern Cypriot city of Limassol, says more than 175,000 people have visited the establishment since it opened on June 28, the Cyprus Mail newspaper reports.

C2 – a temporary outlet ahead of the main development, albeit the first licensed casino in Cyprus – was created by Hong Kong-listed Melco International Development Ltd, the parent company of Macau casino operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd.

The planned permanent resort – currently under construction – had a ground breaking ceremony on June 8 and is slated to carry the name City of Dreams Mediterranean when it opens, an event likely to be in 2021.

The online edition of the Cyprus Mail mentioned that the C2 Rewards Club loyalty programme had enrolled more than 13,000 members since the establishment opened.

The report quoted City of Dreams Mediterranean and Cyprus Casinos property president Craig Ballantyne as saying C2 had exceeded expectations in its first three months in business. Melco International leads Casino Resorts Cyprus Ltd, the consortium that runs C2.

Mr Ballantyne said C2 had become a “must-see destination for locals and tourists alike”.

“The three months of operation of C2 were successful and the results exceeded our expectations,” he added.

C2 has 600 square metres (6,458 sq feet) of floor space, of which 1,300 square metres is taken up by the gaming area. The gaming portion has 33 gaming tables and 258 slot machines, a VIP gaming area, a restaurant and two bars, the firm has previously stated.

The property is being developed by Melco International and a consortium of partners that controls 25 percent, including Cyprus Phasouri (Zakaki) Ltd, a Cyprus-based conglomerate. The City of Dreams Mediterranean will be the biggest casino resort in Europe.

Melco International said last week that it expected to open three satellite gaming facilities in Cyprus this year as permitted under its licence. They will be in Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos. A fourth, at Ayia Napa, is due to launch next year.