Penn Entertainment Begins Groundbreaking for New Hollywood-Branded Casino in Council Bluffs

Penn Entertainment has started construction on a new land-based Hollywood-branded casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the project carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while replacing the existing 30-year-old Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino, according to industry reports. The development will feature 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games and it will connect directly to the current hotel and other amenities already on the property.

Project Scope and Key Features

The new facility brings several additions that expand dining choices for visitors, including the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha area, and these elements combine with the gaming floor to create an integrated entertainment destination. Construction activity will generate 450 jobs during the building phase, while the completed casino is expected to support 50 permanent positions once operations begin.

Observers note that the move from the riverboat format to a permanent land-based structure allows for greater flexibility in layout and guest flow, since the riverboat had operated for three decades under different regulatory and physical constraints. The new design incorporates the existing hotel through direct connections that keep guests within the same complex for lodging, gaming, and dining experiences.

Timeline and Development Process

Work on the site is scheduled to span 18 to 24 months from the start of construction, which means the facility could open its doors within that window depending on weather, supply chains, and regulatory inspections. The project remains focused solely on this Council Bluffs location without reference to other Penn Entertainment properties or unrelated developments.

State and local permitting processes have already cleared the way for the groundbreaking, and data from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission shows continued interest in modernizing gaming venues across the region. The shift to a land-based building removes the limitations of the riverboat while maintaining the same regulatory oversight that has governed operations for the past 30 years.

Economic and Employment Impact

Local economic analyses indicate that the 450 construction positions will draw from the surrounding Council Bluffs and Omaha workforce, creating short-term demand for skilled trades and support services. Once the casino opens, the 50 permanent roles will cover gaming operations, food service, and maintenance, contributing to ongoing employment in the hospitality sector.

Those following the project point out that the addition of the Shake Shack and other dining options introduces new revenue streams beyond traditional gaming, because visitors can now access branded food experiences that were not available at the riverboat. The connections to the existing hotel further support longer guest stays by linking accommodations directly to the new gaming and dining areas.

Conclusion

The replacement of the Ameristar riverboat with the Hollywood-branded land-based casino represents a measurable upgrade in capacity and amenities for the Council Bluffs market. With construction underway and a clear timeline of 18 to 24 months, the project delivers defined job creation figures and specific gaming and dining features that align with the details released by Penn Entertainment. Additional information appears in the original announcement at casino.org, which outlines the same scope, budget range, and employment projections covered here.