Penn Entertainment on Wednesday said it will close its Hollywood Casino Joliet riverboat property in Illinois to prepare for the grand opening of a $185 million land-based property.
The riverboat property will close July 29 at 5:59 a.m. CDT.
The new casino is to open on August 11, pending regulatory approvals.
“As we transition to our new state-of-the-art facility, we reflect on 30+ years of operating in Joliet,” Penn Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to create best-in-class experiences for our loyal customers, welcoming new guests, and supporting this community for years to come.”
The new Hollywood Casino Joliet is part of the Rock Run Collection, a super-regional commercial and residential development adjacent to the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange southwest of downtown Chicago. The facility will feature about 1,000 slots and 43 table games, including high-limit slots and table games, a baccarat room and an ESPN Bet sportsbook.
Bars and restaurants will include Sorellina by Giada De Laurentiis and Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, both open to all ages. Boulevard will include Chicago favorites Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream and an all-new burger concept from Stephanie Izard, Lucky Goat, alongside a midcentury modern-designed bar and cafe.
Additional features include an about 10,000-square-foot, all-ages event center with meeting areas, and about 1,330 parking spaces.
“We are incredibly excited about our future at the new location, which enhances our ability to serve guests and creates a top entertainment, gaming and dining attraction in the region,” said Penn Entertainment Executive Vice President of Operations Todd George.
All gaming operations at the riverboat property will maintain normal operating hours until closing. The hotel adjacent to the casino property will accept reservations until July 26.
“We invite all of our customers to experience our nearby Hollywood Casino Aurora and Ameristar East Chicago locations during the brief transition before we open the doors to the new Hollywood Casino Joliet,” said Hollywood Casino Joliet Vice President and General Manager Ruben Warren. “We thank all of our guests, loyalty members and team members that have made our riverboat location special over the last 30 years and invite them to visit the riverboat one last time before July 29.”
Hollywood Casino Aurora and Ameristar East Chicago, over the state line in Indiana, are part of the Penn Play rewards program as Hollywood Casino Joliet. Any unused chips from the Hollywood Casino Joliet riverboat location can be cashed in at the new Hollywood Casino Joliet cage until the end of the year.
Hollywood Casino Joliet expects to launch a new website on July 29 to provide information on restaurant hours, menus and reservation systems, including details on a ticketed event opportunity to dine with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis at the property in mid-August.
