Penn Entertainment Moves Forward with Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Development

Penn Entertainment has scheduled the official groundbreaking for September 14 2026 on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project valued between 180 and 200 million dollars, and the facility will sit in Council Bluffs Iowa directly across the Missouri River from Omaha while replacing the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino that currently operates at the site.

The development will feature roughly 1000 slot machines together with 25 table games, and it will introduce dining venues including Shake Shack along with Red Lotus as part of the overall amenities package that shifts operations from the existing riverboat format to a permanent land-based structure designed for long-term use.

Project Specifications and Replacement Details

Construction timelines call for completion within 18 to 24 months after the September 2026 start date, which positions the opening for sometime in 2028, and the move from the riverboat casino to the new land-based property reflects ongoing industry adjustments that favor fixed structures over floating vessels in the Council Bluffs market.

Observers note that the replacement eliminates the operational constraints associated with the current Ameristar riverboat setup, while the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs will maintain continuity in gaming offerings yet expand options through dedicated dining and hotel components integrated into one complex.

Employment and Regional Economic Contributions

The project is expected to generate 450 construction jobs during the build phase, and it will add 50 permanent positions once operations begin at the land-based facility, figures that local workforce planners have already begun incorporating into regional employment forecasts for the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

Data from industry tracking sources shows that similar transitions from riverboat to land-based casinos in comparable markets have produced sustained hiring patterns, and Penn Entertainment representatives have indicated that the 50 permanent roles will cover gaming, hospitality, and support functions at the completed property.

Integration of New Amenities and Gaming Floor

The gaming floor will house approximately 1000 slots and 25 table games in a configuration that supports both high-volume play and varied table limits, while the addition of Shake Shack and Red Lotus provides immediate dining variety that was not previously available at the riverboat site.

Design plans indicate that the land-based structure will incorporate hotel accommodations as part of the overall Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs branding, and this element is expected to extend guest stays and increase ancillary revenue streams once the property opens in 2028.

Conclusion

The September 2026 groundbreaking marks the start of a multi-year effort by Penn Entertainment to modernize its Council Bluffs presence through a 180 to 200 million dollar land-based development that will replace the Ameristar riverboat with a facility offering 1000 slots, 25 table games, Shake Shack, Red Lotus, and hotel services while creating 450 construction jobs plus 50 permanent positions and targeting completion in 2028. Further details appear in coverage from casino.org and Hotel News Resource, which document the announcement and projected economic effects for the region.