Greek Casinos in Corfu and Alexandroupoli Near Closure Amid Asset Seizure

The potential closure of casinos in Corfu and Alexandroupoli appears imminent after Greek authorities seized the assets of their owner, Konstantinos Piladakis. The Anti-Money Laundering Authority issued the order, alleging that Piladakis concealed the beneficial ownership of entities Invictus and Glafka Capital, according to eKathimerini.com. This alleged misrepresentation reportedly misled credit institutions and nonperforming loan managers, including Sunrise II NPL Finance.

The situation also affects the Rio casino near Patra, which has been shuttered since September 2023. Its closure followed the rejection of a proposed restructuring plan aimed at stabilizing its operations.

Allegations and Owner’s Defense

The allegations have drawn sharp responses from Piladakis, who denies any wrongdoing. Speaking about the situation, Piladakis stated, “I have been informed by publications that I am under scrutiny and that my assets have been frozen as part of an audit by a competent authority. No one has called me to explain what is unfoundedly reported in the publications.”

Piladakis emphasized his intent to defend himself through legal means, asserting that he has endured extensive audits over the years, which have not revealed any legal infractions. “Both I and companies of my interest have been subjected to exhaustive tax audits… It has been amply demonstrated that there was not a shadow of illegality,” he remarked, according to G3 Newswire.

Financial Struggles Amid Economic Challenges

Piladakis elaborated on the financial difficulties faced by his businesses during Greece’s economic crisis. According to him, his casinos struggled to stay afloat amid declining revenues and heavy taxation, all while employing over 400 workers. “We managed to keep the businesses alive. For more than 14 years, at least 210 overworked employees worked in the companies,” he explained.

To prevent layoffs, Piladakis disclosed that he mortgaged or sold personal properties to support his enterprises. He added that delays in VAT refunds by the Greek State exacerbated the financial strain on his businesses, despite court rulings in his favor.

Rejecting Accusations

Dismissing allegations of money laundering and tax evasion, Piladakis stated, “I do not accept accusations of alleged money laundering or tax evasion being circulated in all news channels and media. Everything was and is done legally.” While acknowledging the necessity of state audits, he maintained that his actions adhered to the law throughout his decades-long career.

The future of the Corfu and Alexandroupoli casinos remains uncertain, with their fate closely tied to the ongoing legal and financial challenges surrounding Piladakis.