Council Bluffs to Get New Hollywood Casino Location

Penn Entertainment is moving ahead with a major revamp in Council Bluffs. A new Hollywood Casino is on the way, and it will replace the long-standing Ameristar Casino Hotel with a fresh land-based venue.

Good to know

• The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved Penn Entertainment’s relocation plan.
• Gaming and Leisure Properties will provide up to $150 million for the build.
• The new facility will be located on land, replacing the existing Ameristar riverboat casino.

Iowa regulators signed off on the proposal on April 24. Alongside that approval came a 15-year extension of the existing deal between Penn and the Iowa West Racing Association, which is necessary for any commercial casino operator in the state to continue doing business.

Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) will fund most of the construction, putting in up to $150 million toward the expected $180–200 million project budget.

The updated casino plan features a 125,000-square-foot building, including 58,000 square feet dedicated to gaming. It will offer over 1,000 gaming positions on one level. Penn also plans to keep the current hotel, dining options, and ESPN Bet sportsbook as part of the overall complex.

Construction will begin once design and permit approvals are finalized. Penn expects the full build to take between 18 and 24 months.

Todd George, EVP of Operations at Penn Entertainment, said the relocation will boost competitiveness in the Omaha market. “We are pleased to add another landside relocation to our pipeline of development projects. This project will enhance the quality and efficiency of our Council Bluffs location and significantly improve the property’s competitive positioning in the greater Omaha market.”

He also pointed to the strength of Penn’s broad portfolio and customer base. “Penn’s diversified portfolio of casino properties is core to our omni-channel approach to entertainment, which combines our best-in-class retail operations and a database of more than 32 million Penn Play members with our robust interactive and media footprint.”

The Iowa West Racing Association, which has worked with Penn for nearly three decades, voiced strong support for the move. “We are thrilled with the exciting development plans for the new Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the association. “Penn’s commitment to reinvesting in Council Bluffs is laudable and we are grateful for our ongoing partnership.”

The new Hollywood Casino is expected to provide an updated experience for both visitors and locals, replacing the older riverboat facility with a more modern venue on land.

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