PENN Entertainment Launches Construction on New Hollywood Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has broken ground on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the project valued between 180 and 200 million dollars, and this development will replace the Ameristar riverboat casino that has operated for approximately 30 years along the Missouri River, while the new facility is scheduled to open in 2028 once all regulatory approvals are secured.

Key Features of the Upcoming Casino

The facility will include roughly 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games, and additional amenities will feature new dining options such as the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metro area plus the Red Lotus restaurant, while the entire complex connects directly to the existing hotel and other current amenities at the site, which allows for integrated guest experiences across both new and established structures.

Construction activities are expected to generate around 450 temporary jobs during the building phase, and once operational the casino will support approximately 50 new permanent positions, whereas the transition from the riverboat format to a permanent land-based structure reflects broader industry shifts toward fixed facilities that provide expanded space for gaming and hospitality offerings.

Timeline and Regulatory Path Forward

Pending final regulatory clearances, the project timeline targets a 2028 opening, and observers note that similar developments in the region have followed comparable approval processes involving state gaming authorities, while the connection to existing infrastructure helps streamline permitting and reduces certain construction complexities associated with starting from a greenfield site.

According to reports from Gambling News, the riverboat has served the market since the early 1990s, and its replacement marks a significant upgrade in capacity and guest amenities, yet the new design maintains continuity with the established hotel operations that have drawn visitors from both Iowa and neighboring Nebraska.

Economic Impact on the Local Area

Job creation figures indicate short-term construction employment peaking near 450 workers, and the addition of 50 permanent roles will expand the local workforce once the casino opens, while spending on materials and labor during the build phase circulates through regional suppliers and service providers in the Council Bluffs economy.

Data from industry sources such as CDC Gaming highlights how the inclusion of branded dining concepts like Shake Shack and Red Lotus aims to attract a broader customer base beyond traditional gaming visitors, and this approach aligns with patterns seen at other PENN properties where food and beverage offerings contribute to extended guest stays and higher overall revenue per visitor.

Integration with Existing Hotel and Amenities

The new casino structure will link directly to the current hotel tower and related facilities, which minimizes disruption to ongoing operations during the transition period, and this connected layout enables seamless movement between gaming floors, lodging, and dining venues for guests who already frequent the property.

Those who have tracked similar riverboat-to-land conversions note that the shift typically allows operators to increase gaming positions and improve accessibility, while the Council Bluffs project specifically incorporates the first Shake Shack in the Omaha metro area as a distinctive draw that differentiates the venue from nearby competitors across the state line.

Conclusion

The ground-breaking on the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs represents a measured step in modernizing an established gaming destination, and with its mix of expanded gaming options, new dining venues, and direct ties to existing hotel infrastructure the project positions PENN Entertainment to serve the regional market through 2028 and beyond once approvals are finalized and construction concludes.