PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Casino Project in Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to break ground on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs; the development carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars and will replace the current Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino along the Missouri River; this shift moves the operation from water to a permanent structure on land while maintaining connections to the existing hotel and surrounding amenities.

Project Scope and Features

The new facility will house 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, and dining options include Shake Shack plus Red Lotus; these elements combine with the existing hotel infrastructure to form an integrated entertainment destination that expands capacity and modernizes the overall experience for visitors in the region.

Construction timelines project completion within 18 to 24 months from the start of work, and the design emphasizes seamless links between the casino floor, hotel rooms, and additional amenities already on site; observers note that such integration supports efficient operations once the property opens to the public.

Economic and Employment Impact

The project is expected to generate 450 construction jobs during the building phase and 50 permanent positions once operations begin; these figures come from company projections released alongside the announcement, and local economic analysts have tracked similar developments to assess workforce contributions in Iowa gaming markets.

State records show that riverboat casinos have operated under specific regulatory frameworks for decades, and the transition to a land-based site aligns with broader industry shifts toward fixed structures that allow for expanded offerings and year-round accessibility regardless of river conditions.

Regulatory and Timeline Context

Approval processes through the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission have cleared the path for this development, and company filings indicate that permits and planning reviews moved forward without delays reported in public updates; the timeline positions the opening for late 2026 or early 2027 depending on weather and supply chain factors during construction.

Data from regional gaming reports highlight steady visitor numbers in Council Bluffs over recent years, and the new venue will maintain the Hollywood Casino branding while introducing updated amenities that reflect current market preferences for diverse food and gaming selections.

Background on the Transition

The existing Ameristar riverboat has served the market since the 1990s, and PENN Entertainment acquired the property through earlier corporate transactions; the decision to build on land follows patterns seen in other jurisdictions where operators have replaced floating casinos with permanent facilities to improve guest flow and operational flexibility.

Industry sources note that land-based sites often support larger square footage for gaming floors and restaurants, which aligns with the stated plans for 1,000 slots and 25 tables at the new location; connections to the current hotel will allow guests to move between accommodations and the casino without leaving the complex.

Conclusion

Groundbreaking marks the start of a multi-year effort that will reshape the Council Bluffs gaming landscape through this single focused development by PENN Entertainment; the combination of slots, table games, and specific dining brands will integrate with existing infrastructure to deliver expanded options once construction wraps up within the projected window.