PENN Entertainment has opened its new $360m Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois, completing the relocation of the property from a riverboat casino to a land-based integrated resort.
The new property opened to guests on June 24th following the closure of the former Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat operation earlier this month.
Located near Interstate 88, the development includes approximately 1,200 slot machines and table games, a retail sportsbook, 226-room hotel, spa, event centre, dining outlets and a 1,700-space parking structure. The project forms part of PENN’s wider strategy to modernise its Illinois casino portfolio by moving legacy riverboat operations into larger, purpose-built entertainment destinations.
Jay Snowden, CEO & President of PENN Entertainment, said the opening marked a significant milestone for the company and reflected its commitment to investing in markets with long-term growth potential.
The Aurora opening follows the development of Hollywood Casino Joliet and continues PENN’s push to build more integrated gaming, hospitality and entertainment venues across key regional markets.
The project is expected to support the City of Aurora through employment, tourism and tax revenue, while giving PENN a modernised property better positioned to compete within the Chicagoland gaming market.
The opening also reflects a broader shift in parts of the US casino industry, where operators are moving away from ageing riverboat assets towards land-based properties with broader leisure, hospitality and entertainment appeal.
