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PENN Entertainment plans to open Hollywood Casino Aurora on June 24, subject to regulatory approval. The new land based casino in Aurora will replace the long running riverboat property on the Fox River and add a larger entertainment offering in the greater Chicago market.
Good to Know
- Hollywood Casino Aurora is set to replace the current riverboat casino on the Fox River.
- The new property will include a hotel, retail sportsbook, spa, event center, and over 1,200 gaming positions.
- PENN says the site will employ about 700 workers, close to double the current Aurora workforce.
PENN Prepares a Bigger Aurora Casino and Resort
Instead of keeping operations tied to the old floating casino model, PENN is getting ready to shift Aurora gaming to a newly built venue near Interstate 88 across from Chicago Premium Outlets. That change matters because land based casinos usually give operators more room for hotel rooms, food, entertainment, and year round events than older riverboat formats.
PENN valued the project at $360 million. Once open, Hollywood Casino Aurora will stand as the company second newly built property in the Chicagoland region after Hollywood Casino Joliet opened in August 2025. For PENN, that gives the company a fresher retail casino base in a Midwest market where operators still rely heavily on in person gaming, hospitality, and sportsbook traffic.
“We are now months away from opening another premium entertainment destination in the greater Chicago region,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment. “We are thrilled to follow the successful rollout of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land-based property, strengthening our overall retail portfolio in the Midwest and deepening our roots in the community.”
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Gaming is only part of the pitch. The new Aurora property will include 226 hotel rooms, more than 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, a spa, outdoor entertainment space, and a 12,000 square foot event center. PENN also expects the site to employ around 700 workers, nearly doubling staffing levels tied to existing operations in Aurora.
Food is getting a heavy share of attention as well. PENN said celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis will open Sorella by Giada, described as an Italian California fusion restaurant. Boulevard Food & Drink Hall will add concepts from Stephanie Izard and other partners, giving the casino a mix of local names and new dining options. For regional casino operators, food and beverage can help lift time on property and widen the audience beyond core gaming customers.
Rafael Verde, PENN Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, said:
“These popular restaurateurs will provide our customers with amazing dining options at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora. Together with our hotel, event center, spa and additional amenities, patrons will experience a vibrant atmosphere at this new area attraction.”
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Another piece of the strategy sits in meetings and live events. PENN said the event center is already taking bookings for conferences, weddings, and entertainment shows, with public event announcements expected soon. That approach fits a broader casino resort model where gaming, hotel stays, dining, sportsbook activity, private events, and live entertainment all work together under one roof.
Behind the project, Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. is expected to provide $225 million in financing at a 7.75% capitalization rate near opening. The City of Aurora is contributing $50 million, and PENN said the remaining $21 million should be in place by year end. At the same time, the company is working with the Illinois Gaming Board to transfer operations from the current riverboat Hollywood Casino Aurora to the new land based property.
FAQ
When will Hollywood Casino Aurora open?
PENN Entertainment said the target opening date is June 24, pending regulatory approval.
What is replacing the old Aurora casino?
The new land based Hollywood Casino Aurora will replace the current riverboat casino on the Fox River.
Where is the new property located?
The site is near Interstate 88 across from Chicago Premium Outlets.
What features will the new casino include?
The property will have 226 hotel rooms, more than 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, a spa, outdoor entertainment space, and a 12,000 square foot event center.
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How many jobs will the property support?
PENN expects around 700 workers at the new Hollywood Casino Aurora.
What dining options are planned?
PENN said Sorella by Giada from Giada De Laurentiis will open at the property, alongside Boulevard Food & Drink Hall concepts that include Stephanie Izard and other partners.
How is the project being financed?
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. is expected to provide $225 million, while the City of Aurora is contributing $50 million, with the remaining $21 million expected by year end.
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