PENN Entertainment Schedules Hollywood Casino Aurora Riverboat Closure for June 2026

PENN Entertainment has set a precise closure time for the Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat property in Aurora, Illinois, at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10, 2026, and this step clears the way for the grand opening of a new $360 million land-based casino and hotel on June 24, 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

The move replaces riverboat operations with a modern facility located near Chicago Premium Outlets, and observers note that the transition follows a pattern seen in other markets where land-based venues replace older floating casinos.

Announcement Details and Company Statement

According to the company's investor release, the closure date aligns directly with preparations for the new property, and PENN Entertainment officials have outlined the sequence in public filings that detail both the shutdown and the subsequent launch.

Data from the announcement indicates the riverboat will cease all gaming activities at that early morning hour on June 10, which allows crews several days to complete final logistics before the land-based site opens two weeks later.

Timeline Leading to the June 2026 Events

The schedule places the riverboat shutdown on June 10, 2026, followed by the new casino and hotel opening on June 24, 2026, and this fourteen-day window gives regulators time to complete any required inspections or approvals before operations begin at the permanent location.

Those who have tracked similar projects note that the compressed interval reflects careful coordination between construction teams, state gaming authorities, and corporate planners who must synchronize equipment transfers and staff reassignments.

Facility Specifications and Location Advantages

The new land-based casino and hotel carries a $360 million price tag, and its placement near Chicago Premium Outlets positions it for easier access by regional visitors compared with the current riverboat dock on the Fox River.

Construction documents describe expanded gaming floors, multiple dining options, and a full-service hotel tower, all of which replace the limited footprint of the existing vessel.

Regulatory Approvals and Oversight Process

State regulators must still grant final approvals before the June 24, 2026, opening can proceed, and the Illinois Gaming Board maintains authority over licensing and operational standards for the new property.

Company statements emphasize that all necessary applications remain on schedule, while external reviews continue to verify compliance with safety, security, and responsible gaming requirements.

Operational Transition for Staff and Guests

Employees currently working aboard the riverboat will transfer to the land-based facility once it opens, and PENN Entertainment has indicated that training programs will bridge any differences in equipment or procedures between the two venues.

Guests who hold player rewards points or have upcoming reservations will receive updates through the company's standard communication channels, which detail how accounts and bookings migrate to the new site without interruption.

End of Riverboat Era at This Location

The closure marks the conclusion of riverboat gaming at the Aurora site, and the shift to a permanent land-based structure eliminates the need for ongoing vessel maintenance, docking logistics, and water-related regulatory reviews that have accompanied operations since the property first launched.

Industry reports show that several other Illinois casinos completed similar conversions in prior years, and the Aurora project follows the established sequence of approvals, construction, and phased openings.

Conclusion

The sequence of events beginning with the 5:59 a.m. CDT closure on June 10, 2026, and culminating in the June 24, 2026, launch of the $360 million facility provides a clear roadmap for the property's next chapter, and all parties continue to work within the regulatory framework that governs gaming expansions across the state.

Additional updates will appear through official channels as the target dates approach, and stakeholders can track progress via the PENN Entertainment investor site along with coverage from industry news outlets that monitor Illinois gaming developments.