The government of Cyprus is studying potential locations for a casino should it decide to proceed with a decision taken last October.
The Cyprus Mail reported in October that legislation was to be written that would allow the first casino to be established on the southern half of Cyprus.
Casinos have flourished for years on the Turkish-controlled northern half of the Mediterranean island.
Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias said in October, “Many among us would probably never enter such establishments during our lifetime, but this does not mean that we should not respond to the needs of the age, taking into consideration the public interest.”
In the closing days of 2011, Communications Minister Efthymios Flourentzos said the government would be exploring all possible locations for a casino. Initially, proponents had singled out the old Larnaca airport terminal as the best spot.
Flourentzos said a decision is not expected soon, as a study exploring the options is still under way. He said when decisions have been taken and the study completed, the procedure will advance.
The Cyprus Mail also reported in late 2011 that Sheldon Adelson, the chairman of Las Vegas Sands, had visited the presidential palace to discuss an integrated resort plan with President Demetris Christofias and Kazamias.
After the meeting, the newspaper quoted Kazamias as saying that the project concerned “a big building complex” and could be a “much bigger investment than the Qatar-Cyprus hotel complex in Nicosia.”
