Casino gaming in the Mediterranean continues to evolve. Future phases to City of Dreams Mediterranean will continue to attract more gamers from nearby countries.
The operators of City of Dreams Mediterranean (COD Med) held their official grand opening on the island of Cyprus, and to many in the gaming industry it heralded the introduction of the first integrated casino resort in the Mediterranean region.
It was generally assumed by many in the industry, particularly those residing in the United States and East Asia, that prior to the opening, Southern Europe did not offer the kinds of gaming, dining, lodging and entertainment found in Las Vegas, Macau or Singapore, and that the market was, until that point, underserved.
The Mediterranean region had long offered a diverse mix of casino gaming that targets both residents and international visitors. It is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous operating casinos, a wide variety of slot halls and small casinos located in hotels, and some of the world’s most attractive integrated casino resorts.
The casinos in Northern Cyprus continue to invest in what is already an outstanding mix of gaming and lodging products. Tourism volume into Northern Cyprus is expected to get a significant boost with the possibility of new flights from Germany and the United Kingdom.
Also, looming in the not-too-distant future is the $4 billion Wynn Casino Resort in the United Arab Emirates. Any forecast of future gaming revenues in the Southern Mediterranean must factor in these changes. Gambling in the Mediterranean is about to get a lot more interesting.
