Government policy to develop the tourist industry focused in the 1990s on establishing new casinos operated by reputable international gaming companies. The aim was to attract high-rolling tourists on a year-round basis. Private casino operators were to build new luxury hotels and, where possible, marinas.

The policy has been partially successful, with seven new casinos launched. Revenues have proved satisfactory, with total turnover at private casinos reaching an estimated GDR400bn last year. But Greeks are still the main customers.
The most successful casino operation is a greenfield project near Thessaloniki airport. Built by Hellenic Casino Consortium, this joint venture is led by the US-based Pritzker family, a major shareholder in the Hyatt hotel and casino chain. The other partners are Greece's Laskaridis shipping group and Theocharakis group.

The consortium invested $100m in building the casino, and another $43m to build a five-star hotel with an international conference centre. The casino is operated by Regency Casinos (Thessaloniki), a Cyprus-based offshore company.
Other private casinos operate at Loutraki, near Athens, at Patras in western Greece, at Xanthi in northern Greece, and on the islands of Rhodes and Syros.