PENN Entertainment Begins Construction on New Hollywood Casino in Council Bluffs

The project centers on a land-based facility that PENN Entertainment has started building to replace the long-standing Ameristar riverboat casino, which has operated along the Missouri River for more than three decades, and the new structure carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while promising expanded gaming options plus additional visitor amenities once complete.

Project Scope and Key Features

Plans call for more than 1,000 slot machines together with 25 table games inside the main gaming area, and the development also incorporates several new dining venues including the first Shake Shack location serving the greater Omaha metropolitan region along with expanded parking capacity and supporting infrastructure designed to improve overall guest access and convenience. Observers note that these additions address limitations inherent to the riverboat format, which restricted floor space and layout flexibility over its operational history.

Construction activity has already commenced on the Council Bluffs site, where crews are preparing the ground for the permanent building that will stand in place of the floating vessel currently in use, and this transition reflects broader industry movement toward fixed land facilities that allow for greater design innovation and year-round operational stability regardless of river conditions.

Timeline and Milestones

Officials have set an anticipated opening date for 2028, which positions the multi-year build process to unfold through phases of foundation work, structural assembly, and interior fit-out, while current progress as of September 2026 shows early site preparation activities underway ahead of major vertical construction. The schedule accounts for regulatory approvals, material procurement, and workforce coordination required to meet the projected completion window without delays from environmental or permitting hurdles.

Economic and Employment Projections

Estimates indicate the construction phase will generate approximately 450 temporary positions across various trades, and once operational the facility is expected to support around 50 ongoing roles in gaming, hospitality, and maintenance functions, thereby contributing to local labor markets in the Council Bluffs area. Data from similar regional projects shows such developments often stimulate secondary economic activity through supplier contracts and increased visitor spending, although specific figures for this site remain tied to final operational plans.

State gaming oversight bodies track these employment metrics as part of licensing requirements, and the numbers align with patterns observed in other Midwestern casino replacements where land-based venues have replaced older riverboat operations to sustain long-term viability.

Background on the Ameristar Facility

The existing Ameristar riverboat has served patrons since the early 1990s under various ownership structures before PENN Entertainment assumed control, and its river-based design once satisfied state regulations that mandated floating platforms for casino operations in Iowa. Over time regulatory changes permitted land-based alternatives, which opened the door for the current redevelopment initiative aimed at modernizing the property while retaining its market presence near the Nebraska border.

Those familiar with the site describe how the riverboat configuration limited expansion potential and created logistical challenges during high-water or flood events, factors that influenced the decision to shift to a permanent structure capable of accommodating larger crowds and diversified amenities.

Conclusion

The Hollywood Casino project represents a direct evolution of an established gaming venue into a contemporary land-based operation, with all elements from slot and table counts to dining additions and job creation figures now moving from planning documents into active construction. Updates from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission continue to monitor compliance throughout the build, ensuring the 2028 target remains on track for the Council Bluffs community.