Penn Entertainment Moves Forward with New Land-Based Casino Resort in Council Bluffs

Penn Entertainment has announced plans to break ground on a new land-based casino resort in Council Bluffs, Iowa that will replace the adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino with a Hollywood-branded venue budgeted between 180 and 200 million dollars. The development includes roughly 1,000 slot machines, 25 table games, and expanded dining options such as the first Shake Shack in the Omaha area along with Red Lotus Asian cuisine while maintaining direct connections to the existing 160-room hotel and other on-site amenities. The project forms part of ongoing industry shifts where riverboat operations transition to permanent land-based structures and the announcement highlights specific features that will define the new property once it opens.

Project Specifications and Amenities

The Hollywood-branded casino will feature approximately 1,000 slots and 25 table games positioned within a purpose-built facility designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing hotel tower. Dining expansions introduce the first Shake Shack location serving the Omaha metropolitan region alongside Red Lotus Asian cuisine while additional connections ensure guests move easily between gaming areas, accommodations, and new food outlets. Observers note that these elements combine to create a consolidated entertainment destination that replaces the riverboat format with a fixed structure better suited to year-round operations and expanded guest capacity.

Data from the project outline shows the venue will occupy space adjacent to the current riverboat site, allowing continued access to established infrastructure while eliminating the limitations of water-based gaming platforms. The design incorporates modern construction standards that support both gaming and non-gaming revenue streams through integrated dining and hotel linkages.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Projections attached to the announcement indicate the development will generate 450 construction jobs during the building phase followed by 50 new permanent positions once operations begin. These figures reflect direct employment tied to the casino resort and do not include indirect roles that typically arise from increased visitor spending in the surrounding area. Local economic analyses often track similar projects for their multiplier effects on hospitality suppliers, transportation services, and retail outlets near the Iowa-Nebraska border.

According to information released by Penn Entertainment the permanent positions will cover casino floor operations, food service, and hotel support functions that align with the new dining venues and expanded gaming floor. The 18-to-24-month construction window beginning after ground-breaking supports a phased hiring approach where construction crews transition into operational roles as the facility nears completion.

Timeline, Approvals, and Current Status

Completion remains targeted for 18 to 24 months after ground-breaking with a projected opening around 2028 subject to regulatory approvals from Iowa gaming authorities. As of September 2026 the project sits in the pre-construction planning stage where design finalization and permitting processes continue ahead of site work. Regulatory bodies in the state review such proposals for compliance with licensing, environmental, and community impact standards before issuing final permits.

The transition from riverboat to land-based operation follows patterns observed in other jurisdictions where operators seek greater flexibility in facility design and guest amenities. Penn Entertainment has outlined that the new structure will maintain continuity of service during the changeover to minimize disruption for existing visitors and employees.

Conclusion

The Council Bluffs development represents a measured investment by Penn Entertainment in modernizing its Iowa presence through a purpose-built land-based resort that replaces the riverboat model with expanded gaming, dining, and hotel integration. Employment projections and the 2028 opening timeline depend on timely approvals while the addition of national brands such as Shake Shack introduces new visitor draws to the property. Further updates will emerge as permitting advances and construction milestones are reached in the coming months.