Global casino operator Casinos Austria International has reportedly announced its intention to open a gambling facility in the tiny central European principality of Lichtenstein later this year complete with a range of slots as well as live gaming tables and electronic roulette.

According to a report from G3Newswire, Vienna-based Casino Austria International recently revealed that its plan would see a new casino inaugurated in the small village of Schaanwald less than a mile from Lichtenstein’s border with Austria and approximately 26 miles from its Casino Bregenz facility.

“A contract was concluded between the ITW Group and Casinos Austria [International] last year,” Martin Meyer from Casinos Austria International told G3Newswire. “The conversion will be started promptly with the plan for the casino to start its operations later this year. The opening date depends on the granting of the license.”

If its scheme for a building currently owned by local engineering firm ITW Group goes ahead, Casinos Austria International would reportedly become one of the first to open a casino in Lichtenstein following the lifting in 2011 of a 60-year ban on gambling. But, its facility is almost certain to face immediate competition from fellow Austrian firm Novomatic, which earlier this month revealed a similar plan for the northern municipality of Ruggell.

Gumpoldskirchen-based Novomatic told local newspaper Weiner Zeitung that its Lichtenstein casino is set to premiere under the firm’s Casino Admiral brand later this year offering five live gaming tables, electronic roulette and 100 slots while creating some 50 new jobs.

“The competition is great and the paths are short,” Stefan Hassler, Chairman for Novomatic subsidiary Admiral Casinos And Entertainment, told the newspaper in early-February.

Weiner Zeitung reported that local businessman Wolfgang Egger has moreover long planned to open a casino near the principality’s capital city of Vaduz and the entrepreneur even won the constitutional monarchy’s initial public tender for a license. However, his scheme has faced years of delays after other operators involved in the process launched a series of legal challenges.