PENN Entertainment Breaks Ground on Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement

PENN Entertainment has initiated construction on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a project valued between 180 and 200 million dollars that will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, and this development shifts operations from water-based gaming to a permanent facility on Iowa soil. The company selected a site in Council Bluffs where crews began site work in recent weeks, and officials confirmed the timeline targets a 2028 opening once regulatory approvals clear the remaining hurdles.

Project Scope and Facility Details

The new casino will feature approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, while dining additions include the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metropolitan area and a Red Lotus Asian restaurant that expands culinary choices for visitors and locals alike. Observers note that these elements combine to create a broader entertainment destination compared with the riverboat model it replaces, and the design incorporates hotel accommodations that support extended stays for guests traveling from Nebraska and surrounding regions.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Construction activity is projected to generate 450 temporary positions during the build phase, and the finished property will add 50 permanent roles once operations commence. Data from similar regional projects shows that such developments often stimulate secondary employment in hospitality supply chains and local services, yet the direct figures released by PENN Entertainment focus on these core numbers without broader multipliers. The transition from riverboat to land-based operations also allows for expanded square footage that accommodates larger event spaces and guest amenities over time.

Local workforce training programs have already begun coordination with the developer to prepare candidates for both construction trades and eventual casino positions, and this preparation aligns with Iowa workforce development guidelines that emphasize skill alignment ahead of major capital investments. The 200 million dollar range places the project among the larger recent gaming expansions in the Midwest, and comparable efforts in neighboring states have demonstrated sustained visitor traffic growth after similar land-based transitions.

Regulatory Path and Timeline

Approvals remain pending from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, and the company expects final sign-off well before the 2028 target date. Construction milestones include foundation work through the coming winter months followed by structural framing in 2027, while interior fit-out phases will introduce the gaming floor and restaurants closer to opening. A casino.org report outlines these steps in sequence and notes that riverboat removal will occur after the new facility reaches operational readiness to avoid service interruption.

Regional Context and Market Position

Council Bluffs sits directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, and the new Hollywood Casino Hotel will compete within that combined market by offering land-based convenience that riverboats cannot match during seasonal weather events. Industry records indicate steady demand for gaming and dining options in this corridor, and the addition of national brands such as Shake Shack provides recognizable draw for first-time visitors. The project also includes parking infrastructure upgrades that support increased vehicle traffic from both Iowa and Nebraska residents.

Conclusion

The Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs development represents a measured evolution of PENN Entertainment's Midwest portfolio, and the 2028 opening date hinges on timely regulatory clearance alongside uninterrupted construction progress. Once complete, the facility will deliver expanded gaming capacity, new dining options, and employment opportunities that integrate with the existing regional economy. Updates on milestone achievements will continue to emerge as work advances through the multi-year schedule.