PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for New Land-Based Hollywood Casino in Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony around September 14 for its new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a project valued between 180 and 200 million dollars that will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino with a permanent land-based facility. The development aligns with the company's broader approach to transitioning riverboat operations into fixed structures while maintaining continuous service for patrons during the transition period.

Project Scope and Timeline Details

Construction is projected to span 18 to 24 months once underway, with the new venue expected to open in 2028 and the riverboat continuing full operations throughout that window to avoid any interruption in gaming access. The finished property will feature approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games plus expanded dining choices that include a Shake Shack location, creating a full-service destination that combines gaming with food and beverage offerings in one integrated space.

Observers note the facility marks PENN's 20th Hollywood-branded property overall, reflecting the operator's strategy of consolidating its portfolio around land-based venues rather than riverboats in markets where such conversions become feasible. Data from the announcement indicates hundreds of new jobs will accompany the completed project once it reaches operational status, supporting local employment in the Council Bluffs area near Omaha.

Background on Riverboat to Land Conversion

Many operators in Iowa and neighboring states have followed similar paths when regulatory conditions and market demand support permanent structures, and PENN's move follows that established pattern while keeping the Ameristar riverboat active until the land-based replacement stands ready. The 180 to 200 million dollar investment covers site preparation, building construction, and interior fit-out including the gaming floor, hotel components, and restaurant spaces that will define the final property.

According to reports from World Casino Directory, the ceremony will formally launch site work and signal the start of visible construction activity at the location. Those following the project point out that the timeline allows for phased development that respects the ongoing riverboat schedule, ensuring revenue continuity during the build phase.

Economic and Operational Impacts

Industry figures show land-based facilities often deliver operational efficiencies compared with riverboats because they eliminate certain maintenance and docking requirements while offering greater flexibility for expansion and guest amenities. The addition of Shake Shack and other dining concepts forms part of a deliberate effort to broaden the property's appeal beyond gaming alone, drawing in visitors who combine meals with entertainment options. Hundreds of construction and permanent positions tied to the project will contribute to workforce development in the region once crews mobilize after the September ceremony.

Company statements emphasize that the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs will operate under the established Hollywood brand standards already in place at 19 other locations, maintaining consistency across the portfolio while introducing a fresh market presence in western Iowa. The shift from riverboat to land-based represents a capital investment decision driven by long-term asset management rather than short-term regulatory pressure.

Construction and Regulatory Context

State and local approvals for the land-based project cleared the path for the groundbreaking, allowing PENN to proceed with site work on the scheduled timeline. The 18-to-24-month construction window accounts for typical weather patterns in the Midwest and standard permitting checkpoints that accompany large-scale hospitality builds. Once complete, the facility will house the full complement of 1,000 slots and 25 table games plus back-of-house support areas that keep the operation running efficiently.

Those tracking gaming developments in the Midwest note the Council Bluffs project fits within a wider industry movement toward permanent structures that can support hotels, multiple food outlets, and event spaces under one roof. The riverboat will remain open and fully staffed during construction, preserving existing employment levels until the new property assumes those roles and expands the overall headcount.

Conclusion

The upcoming September ceremony launches a multi-year effort that will deliver a 180-to-200 million dollar land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs by 2028, complete with 1,000 slots, 25 table games, Shake Shack dining, and hundreds of jobs while the Ameristar riverboat continues serving guests uninterrupted. This single project advances PENN Entertainment's stated goal of growing its Hollywood-branded portfolio to 20 properties through measured replacement of riverboat assets with fixed facilities.