PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement in Iowa
Skriven av Carlo Berger · 2026-09-14
PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement in Iowa
PENN Entertainment has scheduled the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs on September 14, 2026, and this development will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino while the company invests between 180 and 200 million dollars in the land-based facility.
The project features approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games plus new dining venues including Shake Shack and Red Lotus, and state projections indicate the construction phase will generate 450 jobs while the completed property supports 50 permanent positions once operations begin.
Project Details and Scope
Construction activities will convert the riverboat operation into a permanent land-based structure that stands next to the existing Ameristar location, and this shift aligns with broader trends where operators transition away from water-based casinos toward fixed facilities that offer expanded amenities and improved guest access throughout the year.
Officials from PENN Entertainment confirm the new casino will maintain continuity for current guests during the transition period, and the design incorporates modern gaming floors that accommodate the specified machine and table counts while integrating food outlets that draw from established national brands.
Timeline and Regulatory Path
Groundbreaking occurs on September 14, 2026, yet the full opening remains targeted for 2028 subject to final approvals from Iowa regulatory authorities, and this extended window allows time for site preparation, building construction, and compliance verification before the property welcomes visitors.
Company representatives note that pending permits will determine the exact pace of work after the initial ceremony, and observers in the gaming sector point out that similar projects in the Midwest have followed comparable schedules when local commissions review environmental and operational plans.
Economic Contributions
The construction phase alone supports 450 temporary positions across various trades, and these roles span engineering, labor, and specialized installation work that typically lasts through the multi-year build, while the 50 permanent jobs will cover casino operations, hospitality services, and food and beverage management once the doors open.
Data from regional economic reports shows that such developments often stimulate additional activity in surrounding businesses, and figures from Iowa gaming summaries reveal steady employment patterns in counties that host major casino properties.
Local suppliers stand to benefit from material purchases during construction, and the addition of branded dining options like Shake Shack and Red Lotus introduces new revenue streams that complement the core gaming offerings of 1,000 slots and 25 tables.
Transition from Riverboat Operations
The Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat has operated as a floating casino for years, and the move to a land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel marks the end of that era while preserving the company's presence in the Council Bluffs market, and PENN Entertainment plans to manage the handover so that gaming continues without interruption until the new facility reaches completion.
Industry analyses indicate that land-based venues generally provide greater flexibility for expansions and renovations compared with riverboats, and this project exemplifies how operators adapt infrastructure to meet evolving guest expectations and regulatory standards in Iowa.
Conclusion
The September 14, 2026 groundbreaking sets a clear milestone for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, and the 180 to 200 million dollar investment reflects PENN Entertainment's commitment to updating its Iowa assets with expanded gaming capacity, new dining choices, and sustained employment opportunities through 2028 and beyond, pending all necessary approvals.