Greece’s casino industry is undergoing a major transformation, with high-profile investments and relocations redefining the market.
While casinos now account for a smaller share of the broader gambling sector, with the total Greek gambling market reaching $31.5 billion (€29.2 billion) in wagers in 2023 and gross gaming revenue of $2.8 billion (€2.59 billion), the flurry of new licenses, relocations, and integrated resort projects is reshaping the sector and attracting international attention.
From casino halls to integrated resorts in Greece
Following global trends, Greek casinos are evolving into integrated resorts, where gambling is just one part of a broader entertainment and hospitality experience.
These resorts hope to attract high-end tourists, generate consistent visitor flows, boost tax revenue, and enhance Greece’s international brand in luxury tourism. The next five years will be critical in establishing Greece as a leading Mediterranean destination for integrated resorts.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens: Europe’s mega resort in Greece
Leading the wave is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens at the former Ellinikon site, a project valued at $1.6 billion. The venture is a partnership between Hard Rock International (51 percent) and GEK TERNA (49 percent), a major Greek construction and energy company, set to create one of Europe’s largest integrated resorts.
Standing 646 feet (197 meters) tall with 42 floors, the resort will include a five-star hotel, a conference center, event spaces, and a casino built to international standards. Completion is expected within three years, creating three thousand construction jobs and three thousand permanent positions once operational.
Parnitha Casino relocation to Marousi
Another key development is the relocation of Parnitha Casino to Marousi. The plan, initially proposed thirteen years ago, overcame legal hurdles after the Council of State approved Presidential Decree No. 36 (FEK 79/A/30-3-2023), which permits the transfer and modernization of the casino into a multifunctional complex.
This Voria complex will occupy 52 acres near Golden Hall—an upscale shopping mall in Marousi—with 27 acres allocated for public spaces and 25 acres housing the casino, a five-star hotel with 150 rooms, a 1,400-seat auditorium, dining, entertainment areas, and a 636-space underground parking garage.
The $270 million investment is projected to create three thousand construction jobs and three thousand permanent positions, with completion expected three years after the building permit, anticipated in September 2025.
Restructuring three regional units
Three other casinos—in Rio, Alexandroupolis, and Corfu—are undergoing financial restructuring.
Saint George Participations, linked to the Arfani and Chioni families, secured operational approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and plans to acquire licenses and control by purchasing existing loans and shares.
Although legally and financially complex, investors have already committed $13 million, signaling long-term involvement even before taking equity stakes.
Crete, Greece joins the casino map
The EEEP is also preparing to award a new casino license in Gournes, Heraklion, Crete, independent of the broader redevelopment of the former US base managed by Dimand.
Crete’s strategic location, strong tourism, and new infrastructure make it highly attractive. The license is expected to be offered via tender by early 2026, drawing international interest.
