12 Sep 2026
PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for New Land-Based Casino in Council Bluffs
PENN Entertainment has scheduled the groundbreaking for September 14, 2026, on the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where crews will begin work on a $180–200 million facility designed to replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino.
The new development will transition operations from the riverboat to a permanent land-based structure, with construction expected to conclude and the casino opening in 2028 once regulatory approvals are secured. During the build phase the riverboat will remain open so that current gaming and hospitality services continue without interruption.
Project Specifications and Features
The facility will house approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 live table games, creating a gaming floor that consolidates the riverboat's offerings into a larger, fixed-location venue. Two new dining concepts are included in the plans, one of which marks the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metropolitan area.
Construction is projected to generate roughly 450 temporary jobs while the permanent operation will add about 50 new positions once the casino opens. Observers note that the project timeline aligns with PENN Entertainment's broader strategy of upgrading riverboat properties to land-based sites where local regulations permit.
Timeline and Regulatory Path
Groundbreaking on September 14, 2026, marks the formal start of site work, although final permits and approvals must still be obtained before full construction proceeds. The 2028 opening date remains conditional on those clearances moving forward without delay. Industry reports indicate that similar conversions in other states have followed comparable schedules once initial approvals were granted.
Data from the announcement shows the existing riverboat will operate throughout the construction period, preserving revenue streams and employment levels until the new building is ready. This approach avoids the complete shutdowns that have occurred at other properties during relocation projects.
Economic Impact on the Region
The $180–200 million investment is expected to support local construction employment for the duration of the build, while the addition of 50 permanent roles will expand the workforce once operations shift to the land-based site. Local suppliers and service providers stand to benefit from increased activity during both phases of the project.
According to project details, the inclusion of a Shake Shack and another dining concept will introduce new food-and-beverage options that currently do not exist in the immediate area. These amenities are positioned to draw both casino patrons and general visitors to the riverfront location.
Operational Continuity During Construction
The riverboat casino will continue running while crews work on the adjacent land-based facility, a measure that maintains access to gaming for customers and protects existing jobs until the transition occurs. Project managers have indicated that coordination between the two sites will minimize disruptions to daily operations.
Once the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs opens in 2028, the riverboat is scheduled to cease gaming activities, completing the shift to the permanent structure. This sequence follows patterns observed in other PENN Entertainment conversions where riverboats were phased out after land-based replacements became operational.
Broader Context Within Iowa Gaming
Iowa regulatory frameworks have allowed several riverboat operators to pursue land-based developments in recent years, and the Council Bluffs project fits within that established process. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission oversees licensing and approval steps that PENN Entertainment must complete before construction advances beyond the groundbreaking phase.
Similar developments in neighboring states have demonstrated that land-based facilities can increase capacity and improve guest amenities compared with riverboat layouts, factors that appear to drive the current project in Council Bluffs.
Conclusion
The September 14, 2026, groundbreaking initiates a multi-year effort that will replace the Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat with a new Hollywood Casino Hotel featuring 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games, and expanded dining options including the area's first Shake Shack. The project is slated to create hundreds of construction positions and dozens of permanent roles while the riverboat continues operating until the 2028 opening, pending final approvals. Details released by PENN Entertainment outline a measured transition that preserves current services throughout construction.