Published on: June 9, 2026, 03:07h.
Updated on: June 9, 2026, 03:07h.
- Hollywood Casino Aurora is set to close its riverboat
- A new land-based casino will take its place
- The upcoming Hollywood Casino Aurora is a $360 million project
The Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat in Illinois will cease operations after over 30 years of service.
The closure of the riverboat casino will occur on Wednesday, June 10, at 5:59 am CDT as Penn Entertainment powers down all slot machines and tables.
The riverboat is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI), a real estate investment trust owned by Penn, which plans to dismantle the barge and transfer it to the city for future development.
The Hollywood Aurora was the first riverboat venture for Penn Entertainment, having launched on the Fox River on June 17, 1993.
In 2019, Illinois legislators passed a law allowing riverboats to move inland, which prompted Penn to announce a new land-based casino slated to open in 2023 in Aurora.
Gaming chips from the Aurora riverboat will remain valid at the previous brick-and-mortar Hollywood Casino until the end of the year.
New Casino Opening Soon
The looming closure of the riverboat will be succeeded by the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora opening on June 24. This new location is approximately 3.5 air miles northeast of the riverboat, situated close to the Chicago Premium Outlets, just west of North Farnsworth Avenue at Bitler Road.
“Our Aurora riverboat has provided countless memorable experiences and fostered economic growth in the city for more than three decades, and we are eager to continue these achievements for years ahead,” said Jay Snowden, President and CEO of Penn Entertainment.
This $360 million investment features a much larger casino floor with around 1,200 gaming positions, a high-limit slots area, a baccarat room, and a sportsbook. Additionally, the facility will offer 226 hotel rooms and suites, an outdoor entertainment venue, a full-service spa, 12,000 square feet of meeting spaces, and various dining options.
GLPI contributed $225 million to the $360 million project cost in Aurora, while Penn allocated $114 million, and the City of Aurora contributed $21 million.
“Our new establishment is perfectly positioned to welcome guests for a diverse range of entertainment and dining options in the area,” said Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Operations at Penn Entertainment. “In the meantime, we encourage our patrons to visit our nearby venues, including the recent Hollywood Casino Joliet and Ameristar East Chicago.”
Hollywood Joliet was inaugurated last August with a $185 million investment, taking the place of the Joliet riverboat, which had been operating on the Des Plaines River for over three decades.
Preference for Land-Based Casinos over Riverboats
Across the United States, riverboats continue to decline in popularity as lawmakers and regulators allow casino operators to shift their focus inland. Gaming companies overwhelmingly favor land-based properties due to the significantly increased space available for gaming and other amenities.
The riverboat regulations in Illinois have led to overcrowding of gaming machines and tables on these vessels. Guests often had to trek considerable distances to land-based facilities for dining, shopping, and accommodations.