By its unanimous decision, the Audit Committee approved the suggestion to exclude Hard Rock from continuing the bidding for a casino license in Hellenic.
The Games Committee meeting ended shortly after the expected, as Capital.gr reported days ago, a decision not to move Hard Rock to the next stage due to shortcomings and irregularities in its participation dossier. Unanimously, it was decided to continue the competition with the only candidate Mohegan - GEK TERNA.
As has been reported, the deficiencies of the Hard Rock dossier relate to an unacceptable letter of guarantee, the inability to provide the required bank statement for the funds available for investment, the failure to meet specific criteria for casino development experience and other individual issues.
According to Capital.gr, the people involved in the process, the next step is to clean up, approve the minutes and notify the parties concerned. 10 days after the notification of the judgment, a preliminary ruling is foreseen. Beyond that, a decision must be taken by the Preliminary Appeals Authority (GNP) in order to open the Mohegan - GEKTERNA bid dossier.
Based on relevant public interventions by Hard Rock executives, an appeal against the decision of the EEEP should be considered as highly probable, which remains to be seen.
This decision, in any case, largely clarifies the pending status of the first phase of the competition and takes another step towards the completion of the procedure.
The work of the IRC
It is noted that the competition is about the Integrated Resort Casino operation in a part of the Greek area. The minimum requirements and technical specifications as described in the relevant texts include, inter alia:
1) Development of an international casino area comprising at least 120 tables, 1.200 slot machines (VLTs) and a total area of 12.000 (minimum) to 15.000 maximum), including prominent player venues (such as VIP, salon privé) .
2) At least 5-star hotel with a capacity of at least 2.000 beds and a clean surface to accommodate the required needs of at least 60.000 sqm.
3) Conference and Exhibition Center with a minimum surface area of 12.000 square meters.
4) Development of a public gathering area for sports or cultural events with a total number of seats equal to or greater than 3.000 sqm.
The casino and hotel will be housed in one of the skyscrapers - landmarks erected in the area very close to the 337 berth marina. The 45-storey skyscraper will reach 200 meters above sea level, with the creation of aquariums and other entertainment venues, connected to the seaside front and the Ellinikos Park.
By Nikos Chrysikopoulos
Source: Capital.gr
