From Riverboat Roots to Land-Based Landmark: Penn Entertainment's Council Bluffs Casino Transformation

Penn Entertainment has scheduled the official groundbreaking for its new Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs project on September 14, 2026, and the development carries an estimated price tag between 180 and 200 million dollars while replacing the existing Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino that sits adjacent to the planned site.

The move marks a shift away from the riverboat format that has defined gaming in the area for years, and the company expects the entire land-based facility to reach completion within 18 to 24 months after construction begins, which places the target opening window around 2028 once regulatory approvals clear.

Project Specifications and Gaming Floor Plans

The new venue will house approximately 1,000 slot machines along with 25 table games, creating a more expansive gaming environment than the riverboat configuration currently in place, and observers note that the land-based structure allows for greater flexibility in layout and future expansions compared with the constraints of a floating vessel.

Construction timelines remain subject to final approvals from state and local authorities, yet the announcement outlines a clear sequence that begins with the September 2026 groundbreaking and proceeds through standard phases of site preparation, foundation work, and structural assembly before interior fit-out and licensing reviews take place.

New Dining Concepts and Regional Firsts

Among the planned amenities, the project will introduce the first Shake Shack location in the greater Omaha area, and additional dining options will accompany the gaming floor to serve both day visitors and overnight guests staying at the integrated hotel component.

Those who've tracked similar developments in other markets point out that integrated food-and-beverage offerings often become central to attracting a broader demographic beyond core gaming patrons, and the inclusion of a nationally recognized brand like Shake Shack fits that pattern without requiring further speculation.

Employment and Construction Workforce Projections

Project planners anticipate the creation of roughly 450 construction jobs during the build phase, while the completed facility is expected to support about 50 permanent positions once operations stabilize, and these figures align with the scale of the investment and the operational footprint described in the announcement.

Local workforce development programs often coordinate with such projects to match available labor pools to the required skill sets, and the timeline stretching into 2028 gives regional training initiatives time to prepare candidates for both the temporary construction roles and the ongoing hospitality and gaming positions.

Regulatory Pathway and Market Context

All phases of the project remain contingent on necessary permits and compliance reviews, adn the company has framed the 2028 target as an estimate that accounts for standard administrative processes rather than a fixed deadline, according to the project outline released through industry channels.

Because the new facility will sit on land rather than on water, it eliminates certain operational limitations associated with riverboat regulations, and analysts who follow Midwest gaming markets have noted that such conversions have occurred in other jurisdictions when operators seek expanded square footage and improved guest circulation.

Conclusion

The September 2026 groundbreaking date sets a concrete milestone for Penn Entertainment's transition of the Council Bluffs property from its current riverboat setup to a modern land-based casino hotel, and the projected features, job numbers, and 2028 completion window provide a factual roadmap that local stakeholders and regulatory bodies will monitor through the approval and construction stages.