Riverboat's Final Voyage: PENN Entertainment Schedules Hollywood Casino Aurora Closure for New Land-Based Facility
PENN Entertainment has confirmed plans to close its Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat property at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10, 2026, in preparation for the grand opening of a new $360 million all-land-based casino scheduled for June 24, 2026, pending regulatory approvals, and the company will maintain normal operations at the riverboat until the closure date.
According to company announcements, the transition marks a significant shift from the current riverboat format that has operated in Aurora, Illinois, since the property first opened its doors, while the new facility will sit on solid ground without any water-based components, and construction timelines align to allow a brief window between the two milestones.
Details of the Closure and Opening Timeline
The riverboat will cease all gaming and related activities precisely at that early morning hour on June 10, which gives crews two full weeks to handle final preparations such as equipment relocation, staff training, and site adjustments before the land-based venue welcomes its first guests, and this schedule keeps the property closed during the interim period without any overlap in operations.
Regulatory approvals remain a key condition for the June 24 opening, with the Illinois Gaming Board overseeing the necessary reviews, and PENN Entertainment has stated it expects those processes to conclude in time for the target date, although officials note that any delays in approvals could adjust the launch accordingly.
Background on the $360 Million Project
The new casino development represents a $360 million investment that replaces the riverboat with a permanent structure designed for expanded amenities, and company filings indicate the project includes updated gaming floors, dining options, and entertainment spaces that build on the existing Hollywood Casino Aurora brand while adapting to land-based requirements under state regulations.
Observers note that similar transitions have occurred at other Illinois properties in recent years, where riverboats gave way to fixed facilities to improve accessibility and reduce operational constraints tied to water levels or seasonal conditions, and PENN Entertainment follows that pattern with its Aurora location specifically.
Staff at the riverboat will transition to the new property once it opens, with training programs already outlined to cover differences in layout and systems, and the company has emphasized continuity in employment as part of the overall plan, although exact numbers of positions remain subject to final operational details closer to the June 2026 dates.
Operational Continuity Until Closure
Normal operations continue at the riverboat through June 9, 2026, which means all scheduled gaming sessions, promotions, and guest services stay in place without interruption until the final moments, and this approach allows loyal visitors time to experience the property in its current form before the change takes effect.
Industry reports from the American Gaming Association highlight how such planned closures often include phased wind-downs that prioritize safety and asset management, and PENN Entertainment aligns with those practices by setting a specific time rather than an abrupt end, while coordination with local authorities ensures compliance with all applicable rules during the final days.
Regulatory and Market Context
The Illinois Gaming Board maintains oversight of casino licensing and transitions across the state, and its approval process for the new land-based facility includes reviews of architectural plans, security protocols, and financial stability, according to public records available through state channels, and PENN Entertainment has submitted the required documentation to support a timely review.
Market data from the state shows steady growth in Illinois gaming revenue over the past several years, with land-based properties contributing to that trend through increased capacity and visitor draw, and the Aurora project fits into broader patterns where operators upgrade infrastructure to meet evolving guest expectations while adhering to regulatory frameworks.
Conclusion
The sequence of events from the June 10 riverboat closure to the June 24 land-based opening encapsulates PENN Entertainment's approach to modernizing its Aurora operations within the established regulatory environment, and updates on approval status will come through official company channels as the 2026 dates approach, providing stakeholders with clear milestones along the way.