The temporary casino in Limassol is expected to start its operations within 2017. The government intends to proceed to an acceleration of the evaluation process of the proposal by the joint venture Melco-Hard Rock Resorts Cyprus, so in a few months to grant the license and start the temporary casino operation in 2017.

At the same time, according to Minister of Commerce, George Lakkotrypis, provided that the government's expectations for creating the ambitious project are met, the license for the construction of the first multidisciplinary casino in Europe will be provided.

As announced on October 5 by the Deputy Minister to the President, Constantinos Petridis, the only proposal for the casino submitted by the joint venture Melco-Hard Rock Resorts Cyprus, both recognized standing giants companies with long experience in the casino industry, which received the highest score in the evaluation of the first round.

The president of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce, Costas Galatariotis, told “Kanali 6” radio station that the consortium is entitled to proceed with the temporary casino operation when officially receives permission.

According to reports, investors are about to choose existing space on the east side of Limassol for the creation of the casino.

The most likely scenario, according to reports, are investors to choose for this purpose existing space on the eastern side of Limassol.

Galatriotis noted that there are all the conditions to hopefully complete the casino-resort licensing process, which will require three and a half years to be built.

The President of LCCI stressed that the casino will be a "good injection” for the economy of Cyprus by investing more than half a billion euro.

Simultaneously, it is expected to create 4,000 job opportunities during its construction and 2,500 jobs at its operation, to enrich the tourist product of Cyprus, as well as to bring substantial revenues for the state from gaming tax.