Greece extends Mont Parnes Casino relocation deadline to 2028

The Greek government has granted a three-year extension for relocating the Mont Parnes Casino from Parnitha National Park to Marousi, a northern suburb of Athens.

The new completion deadline is May 1, 2028, replacing the original timeline that was delayed by bureaucratic hurdles, as per DNews.

The extension was introduced through an amendment tabled in the Hellenic Parliament as part of a broader bill aimed at strengthening Greece’s capital markets.

According to the amendment’s justification, the project has reached a crucial stage of preparation but still requires extensive construction work. Officials cited procedural bottlenecks involving multiple public agencies and regulatory bodies as the main causes of delay.

The decision concerns the casino operated by Hellenic Casino of Parnitha S.A. (EKPA S.A.), under provisions established by Greek law in 2018. The company has submitted a full relocation proposal to the Hellenic Gaming Commission, including a five-year business plan, independent feasibility studies, investment timelines, financial forecasts, and a public interest assessment.

A Presidential Decree—to be issued after input from several ministries—will finalize the relocation terms, including financial conditions, minimum investment, job creation, and environmental obligations.

The new casino site must be within the Attica region, outside Athens and Piraeus, with access to major roads and designated for mixed-use urban development.

EKPA S.A. must create at least 300 jobs, ensure the state retains 49% ownership, and restore the 90,000-square-meter area in Parnitha National Park currently housing the casino.

The plan also calls for the preservation and modernization of the mid-20th-century Mylonas Tower, a listed architectural monument within the Mont Parnes complex. Additionally, EKPA S.A. will contribute at least €1.5 million (US$1.74 million) annually for the next five years to support the mountain’s cable car system, maintain nearby road infrastructure, and fund ongoing environmental protection measures.