PENN Entertainment Sets September 2026 Groundbreaking for New Hollywood Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs

PENN Entertainment has scheduled the official groundbreaking for September 14, 2026, on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs that carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars, and this development will replace the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino once all regulatory approvals come through.

The project timeline calls for 18 to 24 months of construction work that is projected to generate hundreds of jobs throughout the building phase, while the finished facility is expected to open its doors sometime in 2028 after crews complete the full scope of work on the site.

Project Scope and Location Details

Plans call for a facility that will house approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, and these gaming options will sit alongside several new dining venues that include a Shake Shack location as one of the featured eateries. The site sits adjacent to the current riverboat operation in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which means crews can transition operations with minimal disruption once the land-based structure reaches completion.

Observers note that the move from a riverboat format to a permanent land-based building reflects broader industry shifts toward more flexible venue designs, and this change allows PENN Entertainment to expand both the gaming floor and the supporting amenities under one roof.

Construction Timeline and Workforce Impact

Work begins on September 14, 2026, and runs through an 18- to 24-month window that places the opening target in 2028, and during that period the project is slated to employ hundreds of workers across various trades. The phased approach lets the company maintain continuous gaming revenue from the riverboat while the new structure rises nearby, which keeps cash flow steady until the permanent building comes online.

Data from similar regional projects shows that such construction schedules often create temporary spikes in local hiring for skilled trades, and the Council Bluffs effort follows that same pattern according to industry tracking reports.

Gaming Floor and Dining Additions

The new casino will feature roughly 1,000 slot machines paired with 25 table games, and this combination gives players a focused selection that fits the scale of the Council Bluffs market. Dining upgrades include the addition of Shake Shack, which brings a nationally recognized quick-service brand into the mix alongside other planned food outlets that have yet to be named publicly.

Those who've followed Iowa gaming expansions note that integrated dining options frequently help extend visitor dwell time, and the inclusion of established brands like Shake Shack aligns with that observed pattern in comparable venues across the Midwest.

Regulatory Path Forward

Final approvals from state regulators remain a prerequisite before full construction can proceed, and PENN Entertainment has stated that the September 14, 2026, groundbreaking date is contingent on those clearances. Iowa authorities oversee such transitions from riverboat to land-based operations through established licensing channels, and the company continues to work within those existing frameworks.

According to industry coverage of the announcement, the project has already cleared several preliminary steps, yet the formal permitting process will determine the exact pace after the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Economic Considerations for the Region

The 180 to 200 million dollar investment represents one of the larger single-site gaming developments in western Iowa in recent years, and the associated construction employment plus long-term operational staffing add measurable activity to the local economy. Hundreds of jobs during the build phase transition into permanent positions once the hotel and casino open, which creates a sustained employment base tied directly to the facility.

Figures from comparable Midwest casino builds indicate that such projects often support ancillary spending in surrounding retail and service sectors, and Council Bluffs stands to see similar ripple effects once the Hollywood-branded property begins full operations in 2028.

Conclusion

PENN Entertainment's September 14, 2026, groundbreaking marks the start of a multi-year effort to replace the Ameristar riverboat with a modern land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs that will include 1,000 slots, 25 table games, and new dining choices such as Shake Shack. The 18- to 24-month construction window targets a 2028 opening while generating hundreds of jobs, and the entire undertaking stays subject to final regulatory sign-off from Iowa authorities. This single development outlines a clear sequence of milestones that will reshape the gaming landscape in Council Bluffs over the next several years.