PENN Entertainment Sets September 2026 Groundbreaking for New Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment will break ground on September 14, 2026, on a new $180–200 million land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Iowa, and this development replaces the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino on the Missouri River while shifting operations to a permanent structure with expanded amenities.

The venue will include over 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, and new dining options such as the first Shake Shack in the Omaha metro area plus Red Lotus Asian eatery, which together mark a significant upgrade from the riverboat format that has operated for years.

Project Scope and Venue Features

Observers note the transition from riverboat to land-based facility allows for larger floor space and more diverse offerings, whereas the current Ameristar setup remains limited by its floating design on the Missouri River; the new site will support over 1,000 slot machines plus 25 table games in a single integrated building that also houses multiple dining venues.

Shake Shack arrives as the first location of its kind in the Omaha metro area, and Red Lotus Asian eatery adds another distinct option that expands choices beyond typical casino fare, while construction crews prepare the site for these integrated elements.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Data from project announcements indicates the development will create 450 construction jobs during the build phase and 50 permanent positions once operational, and these figures reflect direct employment tied to the $180–200 million investment that spans an 18–24 month timeline from groundbreaking.

Local economies in Council Bluffs and the broader Omaha region stand to benefit from the influx of construction activity, while the permanent roles support ongoing operations at the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs that replaces teh riverboat model.

Timeline and Transition Details

Groundbreaking occurs on September 14, 2026, and completion is expected within 18–24 months, which positions the facility for opening in late 2027 or early 2028 depending on construction progress and regulatory approvals; the schedule aligns with PENN Entertainment's stated plans to move operations from the riverboat to the land-based venue without extended interruption.

Industry reports highlight that riverboat casinos like the current Ameristar face operational constraints from water levels and seasonal factors, whereas the land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs eliminates those variables through its fixed location and expanded footprint.

Regional Context and Development Background

Council Bluffs has hosted riverboat gaming since the 1990s, and this project continues the evolution toward modern facilities that meet contemporary player expectations for space, dining, and amenities; PENN Entertainment's move builds on similar shifts seen at other Midwest properties that converted from floating to permanent structures.

According to details shared in industry coverage from Casino.org, the $180–200 million budget covers the full scope including gaming floor expansion, hotel integration, and the specified restaurant additions that differentiate the new property.

Conclusion

The September 14, 2026, groundbreaking for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs represents a clear step in replacing the Ameristar riverboat with a land-based operation that features over 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games, Shake Shack as the first in the Omaha metro, and Red Lotus Asian eatery, while generating 450 construction jobs plus 50 permanent positions over an 18–24 month build period.