US casino operator Hard Rock International (HRI) has once again failed to overturn the Greek government’s awarding of an integrated resort license to rival Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE).

On Friday, Greece’s highest court, the Council of State, rejected HRI’s latest appeal of the government’s decision to award the sole casino license for the €8b Hellinikon resort on the site of Athens’ old airport to MGE and its local partner, construction giant GEK Terna.

In January, Greece’s Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) disqualified HRI’s Hellinikon bid due to HRI’s alleged failure to provide a bank guarantee attesting to its ability to see such a massive project through to completion. HRI protested that its guarantee had only arrived four days late and accused the HGC of being biased toward MGE’s bid.  

HRI’s efforts to overturn the HGC’s ruling have found little traction in Greek courts, but the company is exploring its options with European Commission courts. There’s still time for an appeal, as Greece doesn’t expect to formally issue MGE’s casino license until next year, after it’s received MGE’s binding financial offer, meaning construction on this perpetually delayed white elephant isn’t likely to start until 2022.