PENN Entertainment Launches Groundbreaking for Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Replacement

PENN Entertainment has scheduled the official groundbreaking ceremony for September 14, 2026, to mark the start of construction on the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a land-based facility designed to replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, while the $180–200 million investment covers the full scope of the transformation from riverboat operations to a permanent structure featuring approximately 1,000 slot machines and 25 live table games along with two new dining concepts that include the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area.

Project Scope and Facility Features

The new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs will deliver a comprehensive gaming and hospitality venue on land, observers note, and the design shifts away from the current riverboat setup to provide expanded floor space that accommodates the slot machines, table games, and dining options in a single integrated building where visitors can access all amenities without the constraints of the water-based platform that has defined operations up to this point.

Construction plans allocate resources across multiple phases, and the project team will integrate hotel accommodations directly into the casino structure while the two dining additions bring fresh concepts to the local market, with the Shake Shack debut representing an expansion of national brands into the Council Bluffs region that serves the broader Omaha metropolitan area.

Construction Timeline and Job Creation

Work on the site begins after the September 14, 2026, ceremony, and the timeline projects an 18–24 month build period that leads to an anticipated opening in 2028, during which the existing riverboat casino will remain fully operational to maintain continuous service for patrons and employees while the land-based facility rises alongside it.

The development is expected to generate about 450 construction jobs over the course of the build, and once completed the facility will add 50 new permanent positions that supplement the existing workforce from the riverboat operations, according to details shared in project announcements.

Those involved in the planning have coordinated to ensure the riverboat continues without interruption, and this approach allows revenue streams and employment to stay stable throughout the transition period even as crews prepare the new site for full operations in 2028.

Regional Context and Operational Continuity

Council Bluffs has hosted riverboat gaming for decades, and the move to a land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs aligns with broader industry shifts toward permanent structures that offer greater flexibility for expansions and amenities, while PENN Entertainment maintains its commitment to the Iowa market through this replacement project.

Project documentation shows that the riverboat will operate normally during construction, and this continuity preserves access for the local community and visitors from the Omaha area who rely on the venue for entertainment and dining options until the new facility opens its doors.

Conclusion

The September 14, 2026, groundbreaking sets in motion a multi-year effort that will deliver the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs by 2028, and the $180–200 million investment replaces the Ameristar riverboat with a land-based operation that includes roughly 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games, and new dining venues while creating hundreds of construction roles and dozens of permanent positions without disrupting current service. Observers tracking the project can follow updates through official channels as the timeline progresses from ceremony to completion.