Hard Rock's appeal over Athens casino tender rejected by top Greek court

Greece’s top administrative court rejected on Thursday an injunction filed by Hard Rock International to stop a tender for the construction and operation of a luxury casino in Athens, Reuters reported based on judicial sources.

Hard Rock was one of two bidders in October for the contract to build and operate the casino resort for 30 years, part of an 8 billion euro ($8.6 billion) redevelopment on the site of the former Athens airport of Hellinikon. The other bidder was Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, which was partnered by Greek construction company GEK TERNA.

In January, the Greek gaming commission rejected Hard Rock’s bid, prompting the company to seek the injunction although it has not disclosed its reasoning. 

Hard Rock can still take legal action against the tender. But Thursday’s Council of State ruling opens the way for the gaming commission to proceed with the tender and unseal Mohegan’s technical and financial offers, according to Reuters. Mohegan said on Monday it remained fully committed to the casino in Athens despite the impact of the coronavirus.

Naming the final winner for the casino will allow Greece to lease the property to Lamda Development, which plans to turn the sprawling, abandoned plot of Hellinikon, which was the site of Olympic venues in 2004, into one of Europe’s biggest tourist resort after years of bureaucracy.