Construction of the $360 million Hollywood Casino-Aurora resort is on schedule and will be finished in early 2026.
The update was shared during a small ceremony at the construction site, which is across from the Chicago Premium Outlets mall and close to the Interstate 88 interchange. The project's groundbreaking took place just over a year ago, so things are moving fast.
In addition to giving an update on the status of construction, the ceremony was also held to recognize the roughly 350 tradespeople who are working on the project, according to Hollywood Casino-Aurora Vice President and General Manager Greg Moore.
"I think you can see how much work the men and women of Aurora have been able to get done in just a few short months," Moore told the Daily Herald.
Casino To Replace Old Riverboat Casino
The new resort will replace the current Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat property, which remains operational while the new land-based facility is being built.
The original Hollywood Casino opened in 1993 on two riverboats on the Fox River in downtown Aurora, Illinois. The two riverboat vessels were later replaced by a 70,000-square-foot floating, half-circle, permanently moored structure.
While building the new land-based facility, the old Hollywood Casino Aurora will keep running as a riverboat. There is only one casino license for Aurora, which is why PENN Entertainment will be able to operate the original casino up until the opening date of the new casino.
New Hollywood Casino-Aurora Will Have Everything
The planned casino resort will feature a casino floor with 1,200 gaming spots, including slot machines and table game chairs.
There will also be a retail sportsbook, along with high-quality bars, and restaurants, including:
- Italian steakhouse
- Asian noodle bar
- Sports bar
The resort's hotel will have 220 guest rooms, a full-service spa, and 12,000 square feet for conventions and events. It will offer around 1,700 parking spaces.
Once it’s finished, the new location will also host a variety of special events, which will include:
- Weddings
- Meetings
- Conferences
- Special entertainment events
The new resort and casino will also create hundreds of permanent jobs, in addition to the hundreds of temporary workers that are currently needed for the construction phase of the project.
Why Is a New Casino Needed in Aurora?
According to the Hollywood Casino website, the expanded gaming law passed in 2019 permits new casinos in the Chicago area and allows riverboats to move to land.
This change, along with the spread of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) across the state, put Hollywood Casino Aurora at a competitive disadvantage at its current location. Partnering with the city to develop a new facility in a more convenient location will boost economic growth and generate more tax revenue.
Penn Entertainment, the casino's developer, and the City of Aurora have been collaborating on the project since construction began in November of last year.
