PENN Entertainment Schedules Hollywood Casino Aurora Transition for June 2026

PENN Entertainment has set specific dates for closing its existing riverboat casino in Aurora and opening a new land-based facility later in the same month; the company filed the announcement through investor channels on March 19, 2026. The current Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat operation will cease at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10, 2026, allowing crews to begin final preparations for the replacement property. That new $360 million complex is scheduled to open on June 24, 2026, provided all required regulatory approvals are secured before the target date.

Timeline and Operational Details

The closure window spans fourteen days; during this period, workers will transfer equipment, complete finishing touches on the new structure, and conduct required inspections. Observers note that riverboat operations in Illinois have historically faced seasonal navigation limits and maintenance demands, which a permanent land-based building eliminates. The announcement specifies that the existing vessel will no longer accept patrons after the early-morning cutoff on June 10, and management has begun notifying employees and vendors about the transition schedule.

Location and Project Scope

The new facility sits near the intersection of Interstate 88 adn Farnsworth Road in Aurora, Illinois, a site chosen for improved highway access and expanded footprint compared with the riverfront location. Construction includes a full-scale casino floor, multiple dining outlets, entertainment venues, and surface parking designed to handle increased daily attendance. Project documents indicate the $360 million investment covers building construction, gaming equipment, and site infrastructure upgrades.

According to the company's investor release, the Illinois Gaming Board must complete its final review before the June 24 opening can proceed. State regulators have conducted periodic inspections throughout construction; those reviews remain ongoing. The land-based design removes the need for river access permits and allows year-round operation regardless of water levels on the Fox River.

Regulatory Context

Illinois gaming statutes require separate approvals for closure of an existing license and activation of a new facility; PENN Entertainment has submitted the necessary applications for both actions. The company stated that construction has advanced on schedule and that remaining work focuses on interior fit-out and systems testing. Local officials in Aurora have coordinated with state agencies on traffic planning and utility connections for the new address.

Employment and Community Impact

Current riverboat staff will receive transition support during the two-week shutdown, including reassignment opportunities at the new property once it opens. The expanded facility is expected to require additional positions in food service, security, and maintenance because of the larger footprint and increased guest capacity. City records show Aurora has hosted the riverboat since the 1990s, and the move to a land-based site represents the first major relocation for the license holder.

Conclusion

The June 2026 sequence marks the completion of a multi-year project that shifts Hollywood Casino Aurora from a riverboat to a permanent structure while maintaining continuous gaming operations under the same corporate ownership. Pending final regulatory sign-off, the new complex will begin accepting visitors on June 24, 2026, fourteen days after the riverboat ceases activity at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10. Further updates will be issued once the Illinois Gaming Board completes its review process.