PENN Entertainment Schedules Groundbreaking for New Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has set September 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. CT as the date for breaking ground on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Iowa, and the $180–200 million development will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino once regulatory approvals are secured.

Observers note that the project carries an expected opening in 2028, and construction crews will work for 18–24 months to complete the facility that connects directly to the existing hotel and pavilion on the site.

Project Scope and Key Features

The new casino will include approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games, while dining options expand to feature the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area, and planners have designed the layout to integrate gaming areas with the current hotel structure.

Those familiar with the announcement point out that the land-based building replaces the riverboat operation, which has operated under the Ameristar brand, and the transition requires final sign-off from state regulators before any demolition or new construction begins in earnest.

Timeline and Economic Impact

Groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled for September 14, 2026 mark the official start of an 18–24 month construction window, and project leaders anticipate the facility will open its doors to guests sometime in 2028 after all phases reach completion.

Data from the announcement shows the build will generate roughly 450 construction jobs during the active phase, and once operations begin the property expects to add about 50 permanent positions to the local workforce.

People who track regional gaming developments note that the shift from riverboat to land-based casino aligns with broader industry trends, and the new structure offers expanded space for slots, table games, and food service compared with the floating vessel it replaces.

Regulatory Path and Site Integration

Regulatory approvals remain a prerequisite for the riverboat replacement, and PENN Entertainment has indicated it will proceed only after those clearances arrive from Iowa authorities, while the new building will physically connect to the existing hotel and pavilion to create a unified campus.

According to project details released alongside the groundbreaking date, the facility will maintain continuity for hotel guests and visitors during the transition, and the design incorporates the current infrastructure rather than requiring a complete rebuild of support areas.

Employment and Community Effects

Construction employment peaks at approximately 450 positions over the 18–24 month period, and permanent staffing will increase by around 50 roles once the casino and dining venues open in 2028, according to figures shared by the company.

Local observers have tracked similar projects in the Midwest, and the addition of a Shake Shack marks the first such outlet in the Omaha metropolitan region, which extends across the state line into Iowa, and this detail has drawn attention from area residents who follow retail and dining expansions.

Looking Ahead to 2028 Operations

Once open, the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs will operate with 1,000 slot machines and 25 table games on a single level that flows into the connected hotel and pavilion spaces, and operators expect the land-based format to support year-round access without the seasonal limitations sometimes associated with riverboat venues.

Studies of comparable casino replacements in other states show that land-based facilities often allow for larger gaming floors and more flexible dining layouts, and PENN Entertainment has outlined plans that follow this pattern for the Council Bluffs location.

Conclusion

The September 14, 2026 groundbreaking launches an 18–24 month construction schedule that will deliver a $180–200 million land-based casino by 2028, complete with 1,000 slots, 25 table games, new dining including the first Shake Shack in the Omaha area, and direct connections to the existing hotel and pavilion, while generating roughly 450 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent positions once regulatory approvals clear the path for the Ameristar riverboat replacement.