Penn Entertainment Schedules September 2026 Groundbreaking for Hollywood Casino Hotel Replacement in Council Bluffs

Penn Entertainment has set September 14 2026 as the date when construction crews will break ground on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs Iowa and the company has budgeted between 180 and 200 million dollars for the project that will replace the neighboring Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino which first opened its doors three decades ago. The new facility will sit on land adjacent to the current riverboat operation and will bring together 1000 slot machines along with 25 table games plus fresh dining choices that include a Shake Shack location and Red Lotus restaurant plus broader entertainment offerings designed to serve visitors who arrive from across the region.

Project Scope and Facility Details

Construction timelines call for completion within 18 to 24 months after the September 2026 start which places the expected opening sometime between early 2028 and mid 2028 depending on weather conditions and supply chain factors that commonly affect large building projects in the Midwest.

The shift from a riverboat to a permanent land-based structure addresses longstanding operational limits that riverboat casinos face including space constraints for expansions and regulatory rules that once required vessels to simulate cruising even while docked and the new building will eliminate those restrictions while providing room for future growth.

Economic Impact and Employment Projections

Officials project the construction phase will generate 450 temporary jobs while the finished property will support 50 additional permanent positions beyond the staffing levels already maintained at the existing Ameristar location and these figures reflect direct employment without including indirect roles in suppliers or local service businesses.

Local suppliers of building materials and food service equipment stand to benefit during the build-out and once operational the expanded dining and entertainment options could draw additional day-trip visitors from Omaha which sits directly across the Missouri River and from surrounding Iowa counties that already contribute traffic to the current riverboat.

Timeline and Transition Planning

Groundbreaking activities on September 14 2026 will mark the formal start of site work that includes foundation preparation utility connections and structural framing while crews continue to operate the existing riverboat without interruption until the new property reaches full readiness and company statements indicate plans to maintain continuous gaming access throughout the transition period.

State gaming regulators in Iowa have reviewed the project plans and the replacement aligns with broader industry trends that have seen several riverboat operations convert to land-based facilities over the past decade in order to improve guest comfort and operational efficiency.

Conclusion

The September 2026 groundbreaking date sets a clear schedule for the 180 to 200 million dollar investment that will deliver a modern casino hotel featuring 1000 slots 25 table games and new dining concepts while creating hundreds of construction jobs and dozens of permanent roles once the facility opens in 2028 and the move from the 30-year-old Ameristar riverboat to the new Hollywood Casino Hotel represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for the Council Bluffs gaming market.