PENN Entertainment Advances Major Redevelopment for Council Bluffs Casino Site

PENN Entertainment has outlined a substantial redevelopment that will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino with a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, and the project carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while featuring around 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games plus two new dining concepts that include the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area.

Groundbreaking is set for September 14, 2026, with an anticipated opening in 2028 once regulatory approvals clear, and construction is expected to span 18 to 24 months while the riverboat facility continues to operate without interruption during that period.

Project Scope and Key Features

The initiative centers on shifting from a riverboat format to a permanent land-based structure that will deliver expanded gaming capacity along with refreshed amenities, and observers note that this move aligns with broader industry patterns where operators transition older riverboat properties into modern facilities that can accommodate larger crowds and additional revenue streams.

Approximately 1,000 slot machines and 25 live table games will form the core gaming offering in the new venue, while the two dining additions are positioned to draw both local patrons and visitors from the nearby Omaha market, and one of those concepts introduces the first Shake Shack outlet to the region.

Employment and Construction Timeline

Construction activities are projected to generate about 450 jobs during the build phase, and once the facility opens it is expected to add roughly 50 permanent positions to the local workforce, figures that highlight the direct labor impact tied to this single development in western Iowa.

The riverboat will remain fully operational throughout the 18-to-24-month construction window, which means gaming and hospitality services at the site will continue without pause while crews work on the new land-based complex adjacent to or replacing the current setup.

Economic Context for the Region

Council Bluffs sits directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, and this location gives the new Hollywood Casino Hotel access to a combined regional market that spans two states, a factor that supports projections for steady visitor traffic once the facility opens in 2028.

Those who track gaming expansions have pointed out that land-based venues often deliver operational efficiencies compared with riverboat models because they eliminate certain maintenance requirements tied to floating structures and allow for more flexible floor plans that accommodate future growth.

Continued Operations During Build

Because the riverboat stays open, existing staff and regular customers experience minimal disruption, and this continuity helps preserve revenue streams that support both the company and local tax contributions throughout the construction cycle.

Project planners have coordinated the timeline so that the 18-to-24-month build overlaps with ongoing riverboat activity, which reduces the risk of service gaps that could otherwise affect employment or guest loyalty in the interim.

Conclusion

The PENN Entertainment redevelopment in Council Bluffs represents a clear step toward modernizing an established gaming property, with the September 14, 2026, groundbreaking marking the start of an 18-to-24-month construction effort that will deliver a land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel featuring 1,000 slots, 25 table games, and new dining options by 2028. Employment gains during construction and after opening, combined with uninterrupted riverboat operations, provide measurable economic activity for the area while regulatory reviews proceed on schedule. Data from industry reports such as those issued by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and summaries available through the American Gaming Association offer additional context on how such projects fit within statewide gaming trends.