Penn Entertainment Advances Plans for Hollywood Casino Replacement in Council Bluffs

Penn Entertainment announced it will break ground on September 14, 2026, for a new land-based Hollywood-branded casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the development carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars. The project replaces the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, while the company targets a 2028 opening once all required approvals are secured. Observers note that the move aligns with a broader industry shift toward permanent land-based facilities in the region. The facility will include approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, and planners have incorporated new dining venues that feature the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area plus a Red Lotus Asian restaurant. Construction is projected to generate 450 jobs during the building phase, after which the completed property will support 50 permanent positions. The entire structure will connect directly to the existing 160-room hotel and surrounding amenities that already operate on the site.

Project Timeline and Regulatory Steps

Groundbreaking is scheduled specifically for September 14, 2026, and that date marks the formal start of site work for the land-based replacement. Company filings indicate that the transition from the current riverboat setup will occur once state and local permits are finalized, with the 2028 opening serving as the current target. Regulatory reviews remain ongoing, and the timeline depends on completion of those processes without delays.

Officials have outlined a sequence that begins with site preparation in the fall of 2026, followed by phased construction that integrates the new building with the existing hotel infrastructure. The plan avoids disruption to current operations at the Ameristar riverboat until the land-based venue reaches completion.

Facility Features and Guest Amenities

The gaming floor will house roughly 1,000 slots and 25 table games, creating a compact yet comprehensive gaming environment that replaces the riverboat layout. Dining options expand with the addition of Shake Shack, marking its debut in the Omaha metropolitan area, and Red Lotus, which will offer Asian cuisine selections. These restaurants sit alongside the gaming areas and connect through the same structure that links to the 160-room hotel already in place.

Additional amenities include pathways that tie the new casino directly to the hotel lobby and other existing facilities, allowing guests to move between gaming, lodging, and dining without leaving the property. The design emphasizes integration rather than separate structures, which reduces the overall footprint while maintaining access to all services.

Economic and Employment Impact

Construction of the 180 to 200 million dollar project is expected to support 450 temporary positions throughout the building period that begins in September 2026. Once operational, the casino will sustain 50 permanent roles focused on operations, hospitality, and guest services. Local suppliers and contractors stand to benefit from material and service contracts tied to the development.

Figures released with the announcement show the permanent positions will complement the existing workforce at the adjacent hotel and riverboat, creating a combined employment base that remains stable during the transition. The project does not alter the hotel's 160 rooms, which continue to serve visitors throughout construction and after the land-based casino opens.

Connection to Existing Infrastructure

The new casino will share physical connections with the 160-room hotel and other current amenities, ensuring continuity for guests who already use those facilities. Planners designed pedestrian links that allow direct access from hotel rooms to the gaming floor and new restaurants without requiring external travel. This approach maintains the operational flow that the riverboat currently provides while shifting activity to a fixed land-based location.

Site maps indicate that the riverboat will be decommissioned once the land-based venue reaches full operation in 2028, yet the hotel and supporting structures remain unchanged. The overall campus therefore expands its gaming capacity without duplicating lodging or other core services.

Conclusion

Penn Entertainment's September 14, 2026, groundbreaking initiates a multi-year process that replaces the Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat with a 180 to 200 million dollar land-based Hollywood casino. The project incorporates 1,000 slots, 25 table games, Shake Shack, and Red Lotus restaurant while generating 450 construction jobs and 50 permanent positions. Direct integration with the existing 160-room hotel preserves continuity for visitors, and the targeted 2028 opening hinges on pending regulatory approvals. All details remain subject to the outcomes of those reviews and standard construction milestones.