Cyprus: Opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean delayed by a year

Phidias Pilides, Vice President of the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission, confirmed the extent of the delay to a house finance committee.

Set to become Europe’s largest casino resort, the casino was due to open by the end of this year but delays to the supply chain have halted construction.

Melco now has five temporary satellite casino in Limassol, Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, and Ayia Napa. The first lockdown saw Cyprus Casinos close all four satellite casinos plus its temporary facility in Limassol for three months from March 17 to June 30.

Melco CEO Lawrence Ho said: “We saw a swift return of domestic gaming demand, which drove the return of our third quarter gaming revenues to approximately 75 per cent of last year’s level. We continue to expect a faster rebound and faster growth in the premium gaming segments.”

November saw the company close two of its five casinos, Limassol and Pafos, as infections rose and a second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic threatened the island. Its casinos in Nicosia and Ayia Napa are operating as usual with the below operating hours.

When complete, City of Dreams Mediterranean, located in western Limassol, will be the region’s and Europe’s largest Integrated Casino-Resort; featuring a sixteen-story hotel tower with 500 guest rooms including multi-bay suites with garden balconies, an exposition center, an extensive “poolscape” area with four large outdoor pools and amenities such as Jacuzzis as well as an expansive children’s playground. It will offer over 100 tables and 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines on its gaming floor, measuring 81,000 square feet. The property will offer a five-star hotel with 500 rooms, 11 restaurants and eateries, retail shopping, a spa and wellness center, an outdoor amphitheater, and convention and event spaces.