PENN Entertainment Advances Major Land-Based Casino Project in Council Bluffs

Groundbreaking for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs takes place on September 14, 2026, marking the shift from a riverboat operation to a permanent land-based facility, and PENN Entertainment leads this $180–200 million development that replaces the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs setup with a modern integrated complex.

Project Overview and Location Details

The new casino stands in Council Bluffs, Iowa, directly connected to the current hotel and surrounding amenities, which allows seamless access for guests while expanding the overall footprint without disrupting ongoing operations during the transition period, and the design incorporates over 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games to broaden the gaming options available to visitors.

Additional features include new dining venues such as the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metropolitan area and the Red Lotus Asian eatery, both positioned to serve the combined local and regional market that spans Iowa and Nebraska, while the layout emphasizes integration between gaming, lodging, and food services to create a unified destination.

Economic and Employment Impact

Construction activity generates 450 temporary positions over the build period, and the completed facility adds 50 permanent roles focused on operations, hospitality, and guest services, according to project announcements that highlight workforce contributions to the Council Bluffs economy, and these figures reflect standard estimates for similar mid-sized casino expansions in the Midwest region.

Timeline and Construction Phases

Work begins on September 14, 2026, with an estimated completion window of 18 to 24 months that targets full opening sometime in late 2027 or early 2028, and the schedule accounts for site preparation, foundation work, structural assembly, and interior fit-out in sequential stages to meet regulatory and safety requirements set by Iowa gaming authorities.

The move away from the riverboat format addresses longstanding operational limitations associated with floating facilities, including weather dependencies and space constraints, while the land-based structure provides expanded square footage for gaming floors, dining outlets, and guest circulation areas without those previous restrictions.

Integration with Existing Amenities

Direct connections link the new casino building to the standing hotel tower and other on-site facilities, which reduces the need for separate infrastructure investments and maintains continuity for current guests who already use the property, and planners incorporated these linkages from the initial design phase to streamline pedestrian flow between lodging, gaming, and food service zones.

Local suppliers and contractors stand to benefit during the construction window, since the project draws materials and labor primarily from within Iowa and neighboring states, which aligns with typical patterns observed in regional casino developments where economic multipliers extend beyond direct employment numbers.

Conclusion

The Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for the Council Bluffs gaming market, replacing an older riverboat model with a contemporary land-based venue that includes expanded gaming capacity, new dining concepts, and sustained employment opportunities, and completion within the 18-to-24-month timeframe positions the property for renewed operations by the end of the decade. Project details continue to evolve as permits finalize and construction crews mobilize.