A spokesperson of Cyprus Casinos revealed that the company’s gambling operations based in the Republic of Cyprus are set to remain closed until the end of April 2020. The closure is part of restrictive measures aimed at tackling the further spread of the coronavirus infection outbreak in the country.
Currently, it is ICR Cyprus Holdings Ltd, a joint venture of the local conglomerate Cyprus Phassouri Ltd and the gaming mogul Lawrence Ho’s Melco Resort and Entertainment, which owns and operates Cyprus Casinos. The joint venture holds an exclusive gambling operating license to run casinos on the territory of Cyprus for 30 years.
Last week, Nicos Anastasiades, the President of Cyprus, revealed a decision to extend the shutdown until April 30th. Originally, the cabinet revealed a lockdown that was due to run until April 13th but it has now decided to extend all restrictive measures associated with the efforts of the country to contain the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic among local residents.
The extended lockdown deadline was confirmed by a spokesperson of Melco Resorts who said that Cyprus Casinos is set to remain closed until the end of April. Any further change to the newly-announced deadline would depend on eventual new announcements of the country’s Government.
Extended Shutdown of Casinos Part of Cypriot Government’s Measures to Prevent Further Spread of Coronavirus Outbreak
The outbreak of the coronavirus infection has forced the gambling operator to close its gambling venues in Cyprus. Originally, Cyprus Casinos had announced that its gaming venues in the country were subject to temporary four-week closure starting on March 16th. As explained at the time when the announcement was made, the restrictive measure was unveiled in line with the Cypriot Government’s guidelines to shut operations of some private businesses, which tend to gather larger groups of individuals in one place. Understandably, casino venues were among these businesses.
As of April 14th, the total number of Covid-19 infection cases in the country was 695. The local Government has been trying to prevent the further spread of the disease by some restrictions, including partially sealing its borders and extending the shutdown of some private businesses nationwide.
For the time being, Cyprus Casinos, also known a C2, holds a total of four licenses for satellite casinos across the country – C2 Paphos, C2 Nicosia, C2 Ayia Napa and C2 Larnaca. It also holds an operating license for C2 Limassol, a gambling venue that is currently described as the temporary main casino property of the company in Cyprus. The main operation of the gambling business is set to be redirected to a large casino resort, called City of Dreams Mediterranean, which is yet to be launched.
The new casino complex in Limassol is still under construction and is set to be completed in 2021. Previously, Cyprus Casinos has revealed that its C2 Limassol business is only temporary and it will be brought to an end at the time when the City of Dreams Mediterranean complex is brought into action.
