PENN Entertainment Launches Redevelopment of Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs

Project Scope and Features

The initiative carries an estimated cost between $180 million and $200 million and will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino with a permanent facility that includes roughly 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games, while new dining venues will feature the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area; the design also incorporates direct connections to the existing hotel and related amenities already on site.

Construction crews expect the work to span 18 to 24 months, which means the new casino could open as early as 2028 once regulatory approvals are secured, and the current riverboat operation will remain open throughout the building phase to maintain service for visitors.

Employment and Construction Timeline

The project is projected to generate about 450 construction jobs during the build phase and to create 50 new permanent positions once the facility begins operations; local officials note that the timeline allows the riverboat to continue serving guests while the land-based structure takes shape nearby.

Groundbreaking activities in September set the schedule in motion, with crews focusing first on site preparation and foundational work before moving into vertical construction of the casino floor and dining areas.

Regulatory Process and Continued Operations

Pending final regulatory approvals, the facility is slated to open in 2028, and PENN Entertainment has confirmed that the riverboat casino will stay fully operational during the entire construction period so that gaming and hospitality services remain uninterrupted for the Council Bluffs market.

State gaming regulators will review plans and issue necessary permits before the land-based casino can accept its first guests, which aligns with standard procedures for major casino replacements in Iowa.

Economic Impact on the Region

According to project details released by PENN Entertainment, the redevelopment will bring both short-term construction employment and longer-term operational roles to the area while modernizing the gaming and dining options available to visitors from Iowa and neighboring Nebraska; the addition of the Shake Shack represents a new national brand entering the local market through the casino development.

Data from similar projects in other states shows that replacing riverboat casinos with land-based facilities often supports increased foot traffic and expanded amenities once construction concludes, although specific revenue projections for this site remain tied to the final opening date.

Connection to Existing Infrastructure

The new building will link directly to the current hotel and other amenities already operating at the site, allowing guests to move between lodging, gaming, and dining without leaving the property; this integrated layout follows patterns seen in other PENN Entertainment properties where land-based casinos replaced older riverboat operations.