PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for New Hollywood Casino in Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment, Inc. has scheduled its groundbreaking ceremony for September 14, 2026, marking the start of construction on the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a land-based facility projected to cost between $180 million and $200 million. The project will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino and is slated to open in 2028 once regulatory approvals clear.

Company announcements detail a venue that includes roughly 1,000 slot machines alongside 25 live table games, plus expanded dining options that feature the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metropolitan area. Construction and permanent employment opportunities are expected to reach into the hundreds according to project estimates.

Project Scope and Location Details

The new facility sits in Council Bluffs, Iowa, directly adjacent to the current riverboat operation, which allows for a phased transition that minimizes disruption to ongoing gaming activities. Observers familiar with regional casino developments note that land-based structures often provide greater flexibility for amenities and guest services compared to floating vessels, and this project follows that pattern with dedicated space for dining and entertainment expansions.

Design plans incorporate modern gaming floors, hotel accommodations, and food outlets within a single integrated complex. Data from similar PENN Entertainment properties across multiple states indicate that such configurations support higher visitor capacity and longer average stays, though final performance figures for this site remain subject to market conditions after opening.

Timeline and Regulatory Path

The ceremony date in September 2026 serves as the public launch of on-site work, with major construction phases running through 2027 and into early 2028. Regulatory reviews by Iowa authorities must conclude before full operations begin, and company filings list these approvals as prerequisites for the 2028 target.

Industry reports from the American Gaming Association track comparable Iowa projects that moved from groundbreaking to opening within roughly two years when permitting proceeded without delays. Those who monitor state gaming commission calendars point out that Council Bluffs already hosts established riverboat gaming, which may streamline certain local reviews because infrastructure and workforce precedents exist.

Economic and Employment Projections

Project documentation projects hundreds of construction positions during the build phase and a comparable number of permanent roles once the casino and hotel open. Local economic analyses from Iowa workforce development offices have shown that gaming facilities of this scale typically generate indirect employment through supplier contracts and hospitality support services.

Revenue forecasts tied to the replacement of the riverboat operation suggest the land-based venue could expand taxable gaming activity, though precise figures await post-opening data collection by state regulators. Community observers in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area have noted that added hotel capacity may attract overnight visitors who currently travel farther for similar entertainment options.

Amenity and Guest Experience Features

The inclusion of 1,000 slots and 25 table games aligns with the footprint of mid-tier regional casinos that balance volume with operational efficiency. Food service expansions center on the debut Shake Shack, which introduces a nationally recognized brand to an area previously without one, alongside other dining concepts still under final selection.

Hotel integration allows for packages that combine gaming credits with room stays, a model used successfully at other PENN properties where data shows increased cross-spend on non-gaming amenities. Accessibility improvements, such as expanded parking and streamlined entry points, appear in preliminary site plans to accommodate both local patrons and regional drive-in traffic.

Conclusion

The September 2026 groundbreaking sets a clear milestone for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project, which aims to modernize gaming infrastructure in western Iowa through a $180–$200 million investment. Pending approvals, the 2028 opening will transition operations from the adjacent riverboat to a permanent land-based facility equipped with expanded gaming, dining, and lodging options while supporting local job creation across construction and operational phases. Further updates are expected as regulatory reviews advance and construction milestones are reached.