PENN Entertainment Schedules Groundbreaking for Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement Project
Written by David Hansen · Sep 11, 2026
PENN Entertainment Schedules Groundbreaking for Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement Project
PENN Entertainment has set September 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. CT as the date for breaking ground on its new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Iowa, and the project carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while it will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino once regulatory approvals clear.
The development will bring roughly 1,000 slot machines together with 25 live table games plus several new dining venues that include the first Shake Shack location serving the Omaha area, and the entire facility will connect directly to the existing hotel and pavilion structures already on site.
Project Scope and Design Details
Construction crews expect to create about 450 temporary positions during the build phase, while the finished property will support around 50 new permanent roles once operations begin, and the overall timeline calls for 18 to 24 months of work leading to a 2028 opening date.
Design plans keep the new structure integrated with current infrastructure so guests move seamlessly between the casino floor, hotel rooms, and pavilion spaces without leaving the property, and this approach allows the company to maintain continuous service during the transition away from the riverboat format.
Economic and Employment Impact
Local workforce data shows construction projects of this scale often draw labor from surrounding counties in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, and the permanent positions will focus on gaming operations, food service, and hospitality roles that expand the existing staff at the Ameristar location.
State revenue reports from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission indicate similar land-based conversions have increased tax contributions in past years because fixed facilities typically generate steadier visitor traffic than riverboats, and this project aligns with that pattern according to industry analyses from the American Gaming Association.
Regulatory Timeline and Next Steps
Officials have stated that the September 14 ceremony will proceed only after all required state and local permits receive final sign-off, and PENN Entertainment continues to coordinate with Iowa regulators on the licensing transfer from the current riverboat operation to the new land-based venue.
Community stakeholders in Council Bluffs have already reviewed preliminary traffic and infrastructure plans, while the company has outlined how the connected layout will reduce the need for additional parking structures and utility upgrades compared with a standalone build.
Regional Context and Market Position
The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area currently supports several gaming options, yet this replacement marks the first major land-based expansion for PENN Entertainment in the region, and the addition of branded dining such as Shake Shack introduces new visitor draw without overlapping existing local eateries.
Figures from the Iowa Department of Revenue show gaming tax receipts have remained stable across riverboat and land-based properties alike in recent fiscal periods, and analysts at the National Council on Problem Gambling note that facility modernization projects often coincide with updated responsible gaming measures built into the design from the outset.
Construction Phases and Opening Projections
Work will begin with site preparation and foundation work immediately after the groundbreaking event, followed by phased construction of the gaming floor, dining areas, and connection points to the existing hotel, and the company projects that core structural elements will reach completion within the first 12 months of activity.
Final fit-out and testing phases are scheduled for the second half of the timeline so that the property meets all operational standards before welcoming guests in 2028, and PENN Entertainment has indicated it will provide periodic updates on progress through its corporate communications channels.
Conclusion
The September 14, 2026 groundbreaking represents a clear milestone in the shift from riverboat to land-based gaming at this Council Bluffs site, and the 180 to 200 million dollar investment will deliver expanded amenities, new job creation, and direct integration with current hotel facilities while following the established regulatory path toward a 2028 opening.