At the General Assembly of ECA, the Association’s board accepted City of Dreams Mediterranean's membership application, after the company subscribed to ECA’s code of conduct and it was decided that it meets the association’s strict membership criteria.

The Integrated Casino Resort, which is owned by Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and Cyprus Phassouri (Zakaki) Limited, is scheduled to open its doors in 2021 in Limassol as the biggest in Europe.

It is expected that the €550 million casino-resort will attract an additional 300,000 tourists per year as well as create around 4,000 local jobs during the construction phase and approximately 2,400 permanent jobs once it is fully operational.

Craig Ballantyne, Property President of City of Dreams Mediterranean and Cyprus Casinos commented on the occasion: “We are delighted to join the European Casino Association and represent Cyprus.

In the current phase of creating City of Dreams Mediterranean, Europe’s largest Integrated Casino Resort, it is a great time to establish connections with Europe’s licensed land-based casino industry and work on best practices across all areas. We very much look forward to welcoming the industry to Cyprus to present our exciting project.”

ECA Chairman Per Jaldung said: “We are delighted to welcome City of Dreams Mediterranean in Cyprus, as our newest member. The project is a great example of the positive impact of our industry in developing tourism, generating employment opportunities and benefiting national economies.”

The ECA’s key objectives will include providing thought leadership as well as exchanging and developing best practices on key issues for the industry. These will cover the following topics:

• Industry trends & digitalisation
• Anti-Money Laundering
• Corporate Social Responsibility 
• Responsible Gambling (Gaming)
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Safety & Security

The above areas will define the association’s activities for the next few years, along with its focus on supporting the development of sustainable, responsible and effective policy-making at the EU and national level. One of ECA’s key priority areas will be the fight against all forms of illegal gambling at the national level, supported by the exchange of good practices across Europe.

The Association will also focus on promoting the licensed European casino industry’s positive economic and social impact.

Melco Group (HKEx: 200) is a world leader in leisure and entertainment sector with operations in China and Philippines under the leadership of its Chairman and CEO Mr. Lawrence Ho. The Group has also secured the first casino resort license in Cyprus.

Source: Financial Mirror