PENN Entertainment Launches Construction on Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has broken ground on a new land-based casino project in Council Bluffs, Iowa, marking the start of a major redevelopment that will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat operation with the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, and the ceremony signals the beginning of work on a facility projected to cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while construction proceeds alongside continued operation of the riverboat until the new site opens.

Project Details and Scope

The new facility will sit on land and feature approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games plus expanded dining options, and this setup represents a shift from the current riverboat model to a permanent structure designed to serve visitors through a range of gaming and hospitality offerings once regulatory approvals clear the path forward.

Construction activity is expected to generate around 450 jobs during the building phase, and those positions will support the development process that runs until the anticipated opening in 2028, while the existing riverboat continues to operate without interruption to maintain service levels for patrons throughout the transition period.

Timeline and Approvals Process

Pending regulatory approvals remain a key step before full construction advances, and the project timeline targets a 2028 debut that allows time for necessary reviews by state authorities while the groundwork already underway prepares the site for the larger build-out, and observers note that such phased approaches help sustain local economic activity during extended development cycles.

What's notable is how the schedule coordinates the riverboat's ongoing role with the new facility's rise, and this overlap ensures continuous employment and visitor access even as the land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs takes shape over the coming years.

Economic Contributions in the Region

The investment range of 180 to 200 million dollars stands to deliver direct construction employment plus longer-term operational roles once the property activates, and data from similar regional projects indicates that such developments often stimulate related sectors including hospitality supply chains and local services throughout the construction window leading to 2028.

Those involved with the project have outlined how the land-based model will introduce new dining venues alongside the core gaming floor, and this combination aims to broaden the overall visitor experience while the 1,000 slot machines and 25 table games form the central operational elements of the redeveloped site.

Operational Continuity During Transition

The Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat will keep running until the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs reaches completion, and this continuity allows the operator to maintain revenue streams and staff engagement across both locations during the multi-year build, whereas abrupt closures in comparable situations have sometimes disrupted regional gaming markets.

According to project outlines, the shift to a fixed land-based structure eliminates certain logistical constraints associated with riverboat operations, and the new design incorporates space for integrated hotel elements that expand beyond the gaming floor alone.

Conclusion

The groundbreaking for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs establishes a clear path for PENN Entertainment's expansion in Council Bluffs, with the 180 to 200 million dollar investment, 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games, dining additions, and 450 construction jobs all tied to a 2028 target date that hinges on regulatory clearance, and the ongoing riverboat service ensures no gap in local operations while the land-based facility rises.