The sun-soaked island nation of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, has long been seen as the perfect summer holiday destination, and is known for its rich history, stunning beaches, and warm and friendly locals. Home to a host of lavish hotels and resorts, it’s popular amongst luxury lovers looking to escape the stresses and strains of modern life for a week or two of pure indulgence – but amazing places to stay aren’t the only huge draw for the world’s wealthy, as Cyprus has more recently begun dipping its toe into the world of high-end casinos.
In recent years, a number of glamorous casinos and casino resorts have sprung up across the island, each offering a vast range of table and slot games including traditional favourites like roulette, blackjack and poker, along with a variety of modern alternatives – and the interest of high rollers across the globe has well and truly been piqued.
The Republic of Cyprus only legalised casinos fairly recently – that is to say, in 2015. It’s taken a while for the nation to fully capitalise on the opportunities that came with this change in law, but ultimately, it has paved the way not just for the opening of a number of online casinos (view more here), which are becoming increasingly popular here, but also the construction for a string of high-end resorts on the island that are designed to cater to gambling enthusiasts with money to burn.
Offering up the perfect opportunity to enjoy a luxurious summer sunshine break whilst enjoying their favourite forms of entertainment, for high-rollers, it’s a match made in heaven, so it’s little wonder that Cyprus’ tourism industry is already enjoying a welcome boost as a result.
City of Dreams Mediterranean
The first of Cyprus’ new generation of luxury casino resorts, which cost a whopping $650 million to develop, will finally open its doors in the second quarter of 2023, and can be found in the island’s second largest city, Limassol. This isn’t just any casino resort, but the largest of its kind in Europe, and is expected to attract a large number of well-heeled tourists from across the globe.
Its sprawling casino floor will boast over 75 table games and 750 state-of-the-art slot machines, while the luxury hotel itself comprises 500 lavishly appointed rooms and suites offering breath-taking ocean views, as well as multiple fancy restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Its high-end amenities include an indulgent spa and wellness centre, as well as a huge events space – and the resort even has its own luxury shopping mall on site.
Ayia Napa Casino
The party destination of Ayia Napa has also recently got its own high-end casino, in the form of the eponymous Ayia Napa Casino. Set at the heart of this popular beach resort town, it’s part of a large five-star resort, with guests staying in one of its 500 stylish rooms able to enjoy unlimited access to its extensive selection of table games and slots at any time of the day or night.
Besides placing eye-watering wagers, guests at the resort can also soak up some rays around the pool or enjoy a decadent treatment at the spa – and, of course, the drinking and dining options are once again as wide-ranging and opulent as you’d expect.
Upcoming openings
The new casino openings in Ayia Napa and Limassol over recent years have heralded the beginning of a new era of luxury casino tourism in Cyprus, and are just the beginning of the nation’s foray into high-end gambling. There are already some big plans to open at least four more luxury casino resorts in the near future, which is exciting news for high-rolling sunshine seekers – who, by all accounts, seem to have fallen in love with the island thanks to the ongoing investments into such projects.
Conveniently located between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Cyprus is easily accessible to travellers from across all of these regions, with many countries operating direct flights to the island daily throughout high season.
Cyprus has enjoyed steady economic growth over the past few years – give or take the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic, which no tourist destination has been immune to – and as the government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure like new roads and airports, it’s becoming a more attractive destination for high-rollers by the day.
Add to that its warm and inviting climate, spectacular natural landscapes and the warmth and charm of the locals, and it’s easy to see why Cyprus’ star is continuing to rise, and with the Cypriot government offering a number of incentives to foreign investors, including low corporate tax rates and zero tax on gambling profits, the number of international casino operators also keen to establish a presence on the island is also on the up.
The future certainly looks bright for this beautiful island nation when it comes to high-end tourism, and over the coming years, it could well become known as the Macao of Europe.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
