PENN Entertainment held a groundbreaking ceremony for Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois on Wednesday, replacing the company’s riverboat casino, with members of the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois General Assembly, local government, labor organizations and other local stakeholders in attendance.
This move from riverboat to land-based operations follows a 2019 law allowing riverboat casinos in Illinois to move onshore. The existing Hollywood Casino Joliet on the Des Plaines River will continue to operate during the construction period, which is anticipated to last about two years.
“We are very excited to be moving forward with construction on a new, state-of-the-art Hollywood Casino Joliet in an ideal location,” Jay Snowden, CEO and president of PENN Entertainment, said in a press release, “Our close proximity to two interstates and surrounding mixed-use development will offer our modern facility with exceptional visibility and accessibility in the highly attractive Chicagoland market.”
Mike Thoma, vice president & general manager of Hollywood Casino Joliet, added, “from our day-one team members to the hundreds of individuals that will be joining us in the months ahead, this is an incredibly exciting milestone for all of us with the property and local community. We can’t wait to provide our guests with an even greater customer experience at the future Hollywood Casino Joliet.”
The project, estimated to cost $185 million, will feature 850 slot machines, 44 table games, sportsbook, bars and restaurants, and a 10,000-square-foot event center. The site will have about 1,330 parking spaces.
The commercial and residential development is next to the intersection of Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 in Joliet. The location is notable for its high traffic, with an estimated 230,000 vehicles passing by daily.
This new Hollywood Casino Joliet is part of PENN Entertainment’s broader expansion strategy, which includes new projects in Aurora, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; and Henderson, Nev. Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. has committed up to $575 million toward the $850 million budget for the growth initiatives.
