Melco Resorts’ first satellite casino, C2 Nicosia, has averaged around 600 customers per day during its first week of operation, according to City of Dreams Mediterranean Property President Craig Ballantyne.
Speaking to media at a press conference and property tour this week, Ballantyne provided some insight into C2 Nicosia’s operations which he says have been surprisingly strong despite the modest offering of just five gaming tables and 50 slot machines. In particular, he noted that roulette had already produced a win of €500,000 on a single spin as well as a loss of €130,000 – both by foreign players betting big.
C2 Nicosia, which covers 970 square meters, became the first of Melco’s four planned satellite casinos in Cyprus to open its doors last week, with C2 Larnaca scheduled to open later this month followed by the third satellite property in January and fourth in May.
The €550 million City of Dreams Mediterranean, currently under construction, will be completed in 2021.
Ballantyne also explained that C2 Nicosia’s limited opening hours – which sees it close its doors from 6am until 3pm each weekday, was designed to prevent any potential problem gambling impacts on students at the nearby University of Nicosia with Melco making sure there was no opportunity for students to gamble when they should be studying.
He added that smoking was allowed in order to compete with unregulated casinos in the north of the country, but said the property’s ventilation system was second to none.
