Penn Entertainment Advances Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Project
Penn Entertainment has scheduled the groundbreaking for a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs on September 14, 2026, and the development carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars. The facility will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino that currently operates across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. Construction will introduce approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, plus new dining venues that include the first Shake Shack in the Omaha area and Red Lotus Asian cuisine.
Observers note the project will generate 450 construction jobs during the build phase and 50 permanent positions once the property opens. Completion is targeted within 18 to 24 months, which points to a potential opening around 2028 pending required approvals. Data from project filings shows the shift from a riverboat to a permanent land-based structure aligns with broader industry movement toward fixed-location gaming venues in Iowa.
Project Specifications and Amenities
The new casino will feature a full-service hotel component integrated with the gaming floor, and designers have incorporated expanded food and beverage outlets to serve both local patrons and visitors from the Omaha metropolitan area. One study of regional gaming markets revealed that properties offering diverse dining options tend to attract longer visitor stays and higher per-trip spending. Penn Entertainment has confirmed the inclusion of Shake Shack as a flagship quick-service restaurant and Red Lotus for Asian cuisine, choices that expand beyond traditional casino buffets and steakhouses.
Those familiar with the current Ameristar riverboat layout point out that the move to land allows for larger gaming footprints and improved accessibility compared with the floating vessel. The 1,000 slot machines and 25 table games represent a modest increase in capacity over the existing operation, while the addition of hotel rooms supports overnight tourism that the riverboat model could not fully accommodate.
Economic and Employment Impact
Local economic analyses indicate the construction phase alone will inject significant payroll dollars into the Council Bluffs labor market over the 18-to-24-month timeline. Once operational, the 50 new permanent positions will supplement the existing workforce at the Ameristar property, which Penn Entertainment plans to transition rather than eliminate. Figures from similar Midwest casino relocations show that land-based facilities often sustain steady employment levels because they support year-round operations without weather-related interruptions common to riverboats.
Community leaders in Council Bluffs have highlighted the potential for increased property tax revenue and tourism draw once the Hollywood-branded property opens. The project sits directly across the river from Omaha, a market whose residents already cross state lines for gaming, dining, and entertainment, so the new venue positions itself to capture a larger share of that cross-border traffic.
Timeline and Regulatory Path
Groundbreaking on September 14, 2026, marks the official start of site work, yet several state and local approvals remain in process. Iowa regulators must review final architectural plans and environmental assessments before full construction permits are issued. Penn Entertainment has stated it expects those steps to conclude in time for the targeted opening window of 2028.
Industry reports note that similar conversions from riverboat to land-based casinos in Iowa have followed comparable schedules, with the 18-to-24-month construction window accounting for typical weather delays and supply chain variables. The company has already begun preliminary site preparation activities that do not require the final permits, allowing crews to accelerate the schedule once approvals arrive.
Transition from Ameristar Riverboat
The existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat will continue operations until the new facility is ready, ensuring uninterrupted gaming revenue for the company and the state. Penn Entertainment has outlined a phased transition plan that moves gaming equipment, staff, and marketing efforts from the riverboat to the land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel without a gap in service. Observers familiar with past riverboat closures note that maintaining continuous operations helps preserve customer loyalty and staff retention during the changeover.
Once the new property opens, the riverboat is expected to be decommissioned or repurposed, freeing up riverfront space for potential future development unrelated to gaming. This step completes a long-term strategy Penn Entertainment has pursued across several markets to replace aging riverboats with modern, land-based destinations.
Conclusion
The September 14, 2026 groundbreaking launches a multi-year effort that will reshape gaming options in the Council Bluffs-Omaha corridor. With defined budgets, job projections, and dining concepts already announced, the project provides a clear roadmap for investors, regulators, and local stakeholders through the expected 2028 opening. Additional details on final design elements and supplier contracts are anticipated as construction milestones approach.