Penn Entertainment Sets Groundbreaking Date for Hollywood Casino Resort in Council Bluffs

Penn Entertainment will break ground on September 14, 2026, on a new land-based casino resort valued between 180 and 200 million dollars in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which sits across the Missouri River from Omaha, and this project will replace the company's longtime Ameristar riverboat casino while introducing a Hollywood-branded venue that features 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games.

The facility will connect directly to the existing 160-room hotel, creating a unified property that offers expanded gaming alongside new dining choices including the first Shake Shack in the Omaha area plus the Red Lotus Asian eatery, and the entire development is slated for completion within 18 to 24 months after construction begins.

Project Scope and Location Details

Council Bluffs has long hosted riverboat gaming operations, yet the shift to a permanent land-based structure reflects broader industry trends toward fixed facilities that provide greater flexibility in design and operations, and the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs will occupy a site that allows seamless integration with the current hotel tower while eliminating the limitations of a floating vessel.

Observers note that the location maintains proximity to the Omaha metropolitan market, which supports visitor access across state lines, and the project timeline positions the property for full operation by late 2027 or early 2028 depending on construction progress.

Gaming Floor and Amenities Planned

The gaming floor will house exactly 1,000 slot machines paired with 25 table games, delivering a compact yet diverse selection that focuses on core offerings rather than expansive layouts