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PENN Entertainment has opened its new $360 million Hollywood Casino & Hotel Aurora in Illinois, replacing its former riverboat casino that operated on the Fox River since 1993.
The company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Illinois Gaming Board officials, state and local leaders, and employees last week ahead of the public opening.
The 388,500-square-foot property features more than 1,000 of the latest slot machines, over 50 table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, as well as a dedicated retail sportsbook with large-format screens and wagering kiosks.
“We are proud to officially welcome guests and players to the exciting, all-new Hollywood Casino and Hotel Aurora,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment. “Together with our landside move in Joliet last summer, we have reinvested over $500 million in the Chicagoland market over the last three years, resulting in more jobs, meaningful state and local tax revenue, and further enhancing the region as a must-visit destination.”
“Our roots in Aurora run deep, and we are committed to extending our 33-year legacy as a leader in world-class dining, hospitality, entertainment, gaming, and guest experience for years to come,” added Snowden.
Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Regional Operations, described the project as a collaborative effort involving state regulators, city leadership, and construction teams. “We are grateful for these partnerships and are eager to showcase the collaborative effort to transition from riverboat gaming to an entertainment destination,” he stated.
The new facility employs approximately 700 workers and supported roughly 700 construction jobs during development. It will operate 24/7, 365 days a year.
The casino floor includes a wide selection of gaming options, while the sportsbook features one of the Chicagoland area’s largest video displays for live sporting events.
Dining and entertainment highlights at the property include Sorella by Giada, an Italian steakhouse created in partnership with chef Giada De Laurentiis; along with Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, which features multiple Chicago-area culinary concepts curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Shawn McClain.
The venue also includes a full-service sportsbook restaurant offering casual dining and craft beverages, Red Lotus Asian Kitchen serving made-to-order Asian cuisine in an open-kitchen format, and &Vine, a live entertainment lounge and bar that hosts rotating performances.
The property also includes a 12,000-square-foot event center and outdoor courtyard designed for weddings, conferences, concerts, and community events.
The new seven-story hotel adds 226 rooms and suites, featuring modern amenities, in-room technology, and integrated access to dining and gaming areas. The wellness offering, Drift Spa, includes salon services, massage therapy rooms, and a luxury drybar concept.
Guests can access benefits through PENN’s PENN Play™ Rewards program, which offers tier-based perks, redeemable rewards, and real-time bonuses across the company’s nationwide portfolio of gaming and hospitality destinations.