PENN Entertainment Sets Groundbreaking Date for Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Redevelopment

PENN Entertainment has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for September 14, 2026 to launch construction of the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a land-based facility designed to replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, and the project carries an estimated investment range of 180 to 200 million dollars while featuring approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games plus expanded dining options that include the first Shake Shack location serving the Omaha metropolitan area.

Project Scope and Site Integration

The new development connects directly to the existing hotel structure already operating at the Council Bluffs location, which allows the company to maintain guest services throughout the transition period while shifting from a riverboat platform to a permanent land-based building that meets current operational standards for gaming and hospitality in Iowa.

Observers note that this approach keeps the property functional for visitors even as crews prepare the site, and the design incorporates the hotel connection to streamline guest movement between accommodations and the gaming floor once construction concludes.

Employment and Economic Activity During Construction

Construction is projected to span 18 to 24 months and is expected to generate around 450 temporary construction positions along with 50 new permanent roles once the facility opens, which provides measurable employment growth in the local market during both phases of the project.

Data from similar regional developments shows that such job creation extends beyond direct hires to include supplier contracts and support services, though the primary figures released focus on the direct positions tied to the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs build.

Operational Continuity for Existing Guests

The Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat will remain open and fully operational while crews work on the adjacent land-based structure, which ensures uninterrupted access to gaming and amenities for patrons throughout the entire construction window and avoids any gap in service that might otherwise affect revenue or visitor patterns.

Those monitoring the timeline note that this parallel operation requires careful site management so that riverboat activities continue safely alongside heavy equipment movement and foundation work for the new building.

Facility Components and Guest Amenities

The completed property will house roughly 1,000 slot machines and 25 table games inside a single integrated structure connected to the hotel, and the addition of multiple dining venues includes the introduction of Shake Shack as the first location of its kind in the broader Omaha region, which expands food and beverage choices available to both overnight guests and day visitors.

Industry reports from sources such as World Casino Directory indicate that land-based facilities of this scale often achieve higher throughput compared with riverboat configurations because of improved accessibility and expanded square footage for non-gaming attractions.

Regional Context and Regulatory Framework

Iowa gaming regulations permit the shift from riverboat to land-based operations under existing licenses, and the Council Bluffs project aligns with that framework while preserving the total number of authorized gaming positions during the transition, which maintains compliance without requiring additional approvals beyond standard construction permits.

Records from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission confirm that properties in the state have pursued similar conversions in prior years, and this development follows the same procedural path already established for such upgrades.

Conclusion

The September 14, 2026 groundbreaking marks the formal start of an 18-to-24-month construction phase that will deliver a modern land-based casino connected to the existing hotel, retain continuous riverboat operations until completion, and create several hundred construction jobs followed by dozens of permanent positions once the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs opens its doors.