Cyprus-Forum.com

[supporttheunderdog]

so there will be even greater reason for curruption both on the Part of individual local interests who can see the benefit of the gambling joint in their area and in those who want to run the joint, as the competition will be even more intense for the one license.

Has the church expressed any interest in the venture? It's already into booze and as a large landowner they may have a plot to offer....

So what are you saying? That no major development should ever happen in Cyprus because some local landowner or business interests might benefit from it? There will be rival bids which will be assessed on their merits and supervised by specialist outside advisers. It’s not just local people who will benefit either as the island as a whole would benefit from jobs, additional tourist income and taxes.

Now if you object to a casino resort on grounds that it encourages gambling then you are in good company. That was Christofias's and the Church's argument for not having any casinos.

But as the gov’t has decided to go ahead with the idea of a luxury resort then it is a good sign that the entire process is in the hands of experienced external advisers who have knowledge of the whole process of setting up a successful resort of this kind.

No I don't have a problem with reasonable development which might directly benefit local landowners and indirectly benefit local trade provided that these local landowners aren't involved in corruptly inducing the development to their benefit when without corruption the development would not be approved for that location. It is however the scope for corruption that particularly concerns me.

I am no great fan of gambling. Never seen the attraction.

I also share GIG's quite reasonable concerns about the environmental impact of a major development that this will involve, with the Casino itself, and the accomodation. I would personally suggest placing it in or near an already developed tourist area where it could assist existing hotel and other business rather than draw people away to a new complex, and where other infrastructure, such as roads, are already in place. If it were to go in Paphos then I would say the airport side of town. After that I Would say Larnaca. Then there is big site in Central Nicosia near the Hilton....

[Demonax]

No I don't have a problem with reasonable development which might directly benefit local landowners and indirectly benefit local trade provided that these local landowners aren't involved in corruptly inducing the development to their benefit when without corruption the development would not be approved for that location. It is however the scope for corruption that particularly concerns me.

I am no great fan of gambling. Never seen the attraction.

I also share GIG's quite reasonable concerns about the environmental impact of a major development that this will involve, with the Casino itself, and the accomodation. I would personally suggest placing it in or near an already developed tourist area where it could assist existing hotel and other business rather than draw people away to a new complex, and where other infrastructure, such as roads, are already in place. If it were to go in Paphos then I would say the airport side of town. After that I Would say Larnaca. Then there is big site in Central Nicosia near the Hilton....

Well I think this is a reasonable, modest proposal especially as the casino is going to be one aspect of a resort intended to upgrade Cyprus's tourist product. My understanding is that this is going to be directed at the luxury end of the market with shops, hotels, restaurants etc rather than a series of small isolated local casinos which would more likely lead to sleaze and corruption.

As for the environmental impact I really doubt they are going to stick it in the middle of a nature reserve.

I'm not a gambler either but I have no problem with a tax on stupidity especially on those who would otherwise cross over into the occupied areas to gamble. Plus it would likely attract high-spending overseas visitors who might not come to Cyprus otherwise. In these difficult economic times that would be a good thing.

[B25]

It should go adjacent to Ayia Napa marina that is to be built. This would enhance the whole tourist area and attract the boating rich.

[Maximus]

It should go adjacent to Ayia Napa marina that is to be built. This would enhance the whole tourist area and attract the boating rich.

people who mostly go to Ayia Napa go to party and get pissed.

I think the casino should be in another district and as a standalone product which will attract more new money to Cyprus. The new money will circulate into the wider economy sooner or later.

This is what Cyprus needs, new visitors on top of the existing visitors, with new money to spend which will generate growth.

[B25]

Seems to me you don't know where this site is. Someone says Ayia Napa and you think pissed brits.

This location is near the highway, has a site with infrastructure in place, is a tourist area, a popular place every one knows, a 650 berth marina for some super rich to come in stay in hotel, casino, general area and it ticks all the boxes.
Paphos is a pants place for it, Nicosia has no real attractive sites for it, Larnaca could be, Limassol too much mafia, so you see this would be a perfect fit.

[Mikiko]

Since the communists have left this will have more chances to become true ... no one knows yet.. If chrystofias put his nose again....

[Demonax]

Since the communists have left this will have more chances to become true ... no one knows yet.. If chrystofias put his nose again....

Christofias and Akel have no say in the matter. A decision’s been taken to proceed with bids for a license.

[Maximus]

Seems to me you don't know where this site is. Someone says Ayia Napa and you think pissed brits.

This location is near the highway, has a site with infrastructure in place, is a tourist area, a popular place every one knows, a 650 berth marina for some super rich to come in stay in hotel, casino, general area and it ticks all the boxes.
Paphos is a pants place for it, Nicosia has no real attractive sites for it, Larnaca could be, Limassol too much mafia, so you see this would be a perfect fit.

I dont know where it is but I think it should go in another district.

Paphos is dead and probably the weakest district in terms of its economy, its also retired ex-pat city. I can see them on the slot machines and playing bingo alongside the new tourists. build it close to a golfing resort there and golfers can also go and gamble in the evenings. the casino will enhance this product and bolster the local economy.

[Demonax]

This is what Cyprus needs, new visitors on top of the existing visitors, with new money to spend which will generate growth.

Estimates from the report that was commissioned were that a single integrated casino resort would bring in another half a million new tourists and create 3300 new jobs.

That's not to say it would solve all the island's economic problems but it would be one way of boosting the island's tourism sector, add to the nation's coffers through the gambling tax and have a knock on effect on economic growth.

It'll also stop GCs and others from going to gamble in the occupied areas and will thus undermine the revenue of the pseudo-state.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Paphos is dead and probably the weakest district in terms of its economy,

Absolute Tosh!

Paphos is NOT dead!

It's busier now than I have EVER seen it in the last 50 years! It's FAMILY orientated that's all, and that's precisely why it is NOT suitable for this casino. Paphos caters to the laid-back, family lifestyle holidays.

Larnaca is looking like the ONLY suitable option until we get back the REST of our island!