PENN Entertainment Launches Major Land-Based Casino Development in Council Bluffs
Otto Griffin · Sep 14, 2026
PENN Entertainment Launches Major Land-Based Casino Development in Council Bluffs
PENN Entertainment has broken ground on a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the initiative carries an estimated price tag between 180 and 200 million dollars while it replaces the nearby Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino that currently operates in the same area. The move shifts operations from water to solid ground, and developers expect the facility to open in 2028 once all required approvals clear regulatory channels.
Key Project Specifications and Features
The planned property will house roughly 1,000 slot machines together with 25 table games, and it adds fresh dining venues such as the first Shake Shack location serving the Omaha metropolitan region along with a Red Lotus Asian restaurant that will provide another culinary choice for visitors. Construction activities alone are projected to support 450 temporary positions, while the completed venue is slated to generate 50 ongoing roles once doors open to the public. Observers note that these employment figures represent direct outcomes from the development phase and subsequent operations without additional multipliers applied.
Economic and Timeline Details
Groundbreaking marks the start of a multi-year buildout, and company statements tie the 2028 target date directly to the receipt of necessary permits and licenses from state and local authorities. The replacement of the riverboat format with a permanent structure addresses longstanding operational considerations around mobility and expansion potential, while the land-based design allows for integrated hotel accommodations that expand guest capacity beyond what floating facilities traditionally provide. Data from project filings shows the investment range of 180 to 200 million dollars covers site preparation, building construction, equipment installation, and initial staffing ramps.
Those tracking regional gaming trends point out that the Council Bluffs market has long featured riverboat operations, yet the transition to land-based infrastructure aligns with broader industry shifts toward fixed facilities that support larger footprints and diversified amenities. The inclusion of national dining brands like Shake Shack alongside specialty concepts such as Red Lotus creates a mixed-use appeal that draws both local residents and cross-border visitors from nearby Omaha.
Employment and Community Impact Projections
Workforce estimates break down into 450 construction jobs during the active building period and 50 permanent positions that will support daily operations after opening, and these numbers come directly from company disclosures tied to the groundbreaking announcement. Local economic analyses often track such projects for their ripple effects on suppliers and service providers, yet the core figures remain anchored in the direct hiring outlined by PENN Entertainment. The project timeline positions major hiring phases in the years leading up to 2028, with construction crews ramping up immediately following the recent groundbreaking ceremony.
Regulatory milestones still lie ahead, and the 2028 opening hinges on approvals that must navigate Iowa gaming commission reviews along with municipal planning processes. Company representatives have emphasized that all phases remain contingent on these clearances, which typically involve environmental assessments, zoning confirmations, and licensing verifications before full-scale vertical construction proceeds.
Background on the Transition from Riverboat Operations
Ameristar Council Bluffs has operated as a riverboat casino adjacent to the new site, and the land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel represents a deliberate upgrade that consolidates gaming, lodging, and dining under one fixed address. This evolution follows patterns seen in other markets where operators move from mobile riverboat platforms to permanent structures that allow greater design flexibility and year-round accessibility regardless of river conditions. The new facility keeps the Hollywood branding while introducing updated amenities that differentiate it from the existing riverboat setup.
Project documentation lists the slot and table game counts as baseline offerings, and the dining additions expand food and beverage options beyond typical casino fare by incorporating nationally recognized quick-service and sit-down concepts. These elements combine to form a destination that targets both gaming enthusiasts and casual visitors seeking integrated entertainment and lodging experiences.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs establishes a clear development path that PENN Entertainment will follow through 2028, and the combination of gaming capacity, new dining outlets, and job creation outlines the measurable components of this single initiative. Pending approvals will determine the precise pace of construction, yet the announced parameters provide a factual framework for tracking progress on this Iowa project.