Penn announces plans for new casino to replace riverboat gaming operations in Iowa
The company plans to relocate Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs.
US.- Penn Entertainment has announced plans for an expected $180m–$200m project to relocate operations from Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs riverboat casino in Iowa to a new, land-based property. The venue will be rebranded as Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs.
The proposal was approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), with a 15-year extension of Ameristar’s partnership with the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) Iowa West Racing Association. Commercial operators in Iowa are required to have an operating agreement with a QSO licensed to conduct gaming operations.
Hollywood Council Bluffs is expected to involve 125,000 square feet of new development with approximately 58,000 square feet of gaming space and more than 1,000 positions on a single level. It will complement the existing ESPN Bet sportsbook, 160-room hotel and dining options. The riverboat, which offers gaming spread over three levels, will be vacated upon opening of the new property.
Construction of the new facility is expected to take 18-24 months following the design and approval process. The company said it is entitled to obtain financing of up to $150m for the project from Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI).
Todd George, executive vice president of operations for Penn, said: “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.
“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. We thank the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for their approval today and are grateful for the continued collaboration with our partners at the Iowa West Racing Association.”
Brenda Mainwaring, president and CEO of the Iowa West Racing Association, added: “We are thrilled with the exciting development plans for the new Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs. For nearly thirty years, the Ameristar riverboat has been providing not only dining and entertainment, but thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in support of our community. Penn’s commitment to reinvesting in Council Bluffs is laudable and we are grateful for our ongoing partnership.”
Meanwhile, Penn Entertainment launched theScore Casino, an online casino app, in Ontario. Available on Android, iO, and desktop, the app operates on the same proprietary technology platform as Penn’s Hollywood Casino, which launched as a standalone product in the US in December.
Iowa casino revenue decreases in February
Iowa casinos reported revenue of $127.3m in February, down 11.1 per cent from February 2024 and down 4.1 per cent from January 2025. According to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the 19 casinos generated $57.2m in table game revenue, down 12.5 per cent year-over-year. Slot game revenue totalled $115.4m, down 10.9 per cent.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino led the market with $17.8m, down 6.4 per cent from February 2024. Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs generated $12.9m, down 16.3 per cent and Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs $12.3m, down 22.2 per cent.
