Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs Project Advances with 2026 Groundbreaking

Penn Entertainment announced plans to replace the long-standing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino with a new land-based Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, and the company scheduled the groundbreaking ceremony for September 14, 2026. The development carries an estimated cost between 180 and 200 million dollars while shifting operations from the riverboat that served the area for three decades to a permanent structure connected to existing hotel amenities.

Officials confirmed the new facility will feature approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, and the design incorporates updated dining venues that include the first Shake Shack location in the Omaha metropolitan area plus the Red Lotus Asian restaurant. Construction timelines project an 18 to 24 month build period with an anticipated opening around 2028 once all regulatory approvals clear.

Project Scope and Facility Features

The replacement project maintains continuity with the current hotel and related amenities through direct connections that allow guests to move between the new casino floor and existing lodging without leaving the property. Penn Entertainment outlined these elements as part of the overall development that modernizes the gaming experience while preserving operational links already familiar to visitors. Observers note the transition addresses aging infrastructure associated with the riverboat format that has operated since the mid-1990s.

Additional details released by the company specify that the land-based building will occupy space near the current site in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and will support expanded food and beverage options beyond the two highlighted restaurants. The plan integrates the new casino directly into the hotel footprint, which reduces the need for separate transportation between gaming and lodging areas.

Construction Timeline and Workforce Impact

Groundbreaking on September 14, 2026, marks the formal start of site work that company statements project will last between 18 and 24 months before the facility opens to the public near the end of the decade. During that window the project is expected to generate 450 construction positions while adding 50 new permanent roles once operations begin. Regulatory reviews remain a prerequisite, and the company indicated approvals from Iowa authorities will determine the final pace toward completion.

Local workforce projections tie directly to the scale of the 180 to 200 million dollar investment, with construction crews handling foundation, structural, and interior fit-out phases before gaming equipment installation occurs closer to the 2028 target. Penn Entertainment has coordinated with regional officials to align permitting steps with teh announced schedule.

Regulatory Pathway and Market Context

Pending regulatory approvals form the key condition listed in project announcements, and the company continues to work through standard licensing and environmental reviews required for gaming expansions in Iowa. The existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat has operated under prior approvals for thirty years, which provides a baseline for the transition to the land-based model. Data from industry tracking sources such as Casino.org indicate similar conversions elsewhere have followed comparable approval sequences before opening.

The Council Bluffs location sits across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, and the new facility aims to serve that combined regional market through updated amenities that include the noted Shake Shack and Red Lotus concepts. Penn Entertainment stated the project maintains employment continuity for current staff while adding the incremental permanent positions once the building opens.

Operational Transition from Riverboat to Land-Based Venue

After three decades on the water the Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat will cease gaming operations once the new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs becomes active. The shift eliminates floating-platform constraints and allows a larger, more flexible floor plan that accommodates the planned 1,000 slots and 25 tables plus expanded dining. Company materials emphasize that the hotel connections remain intact throughout construction to minimize disruption for overnight guests.

Those familiar with the site note the riverboat has anchored local gaming since the 1990s, and the land-based replacement represents an infrastructure update rather than an expansion of total gaming capacity. The 18-to-24-month construction window includes phased work that keeps portions of the property accessible where feasible during the build.

Conclusion

The September 14, 2026, groundbreaking sets a defined starting point for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project that will replace the Ameristar riverboat with a 180 to 200 million dollar land-based facility featuring 1,000 slots, 25 tables, new dining venues, and hotel integration. Construction timelines point toward an opening near 2028 pending approvals, while the effort is projected to support 450 temporary construction jobs and 50 new permanent positions. All details remain subject to the regulatory process outlined by Penn Entertainment and Iowa authorities.