New gambling venue, Hollywood Casino Joliet, unveiled by Penn Entertainment in Hollywood, Illinois.
Hollywood Casino Joliet Reopens as a $185 Million Land-Based Casino
After three decades of riverboat gambling on the Des Plaines River, the Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois has been reborn as a new land-based casino. Operated by PENN Entertainment, the casino reopened on August 2025, marking the end of its previous riverboat operation which closed on July 29, 2025.
The new casino, located at an 189,000 square foot venue, boasts several key features. It offers approximately 1,000 slot machines, 43 live table games including a dedicated baccarat room, and an ESPN BET retail sportsbook. The reopening generated around 450 construction jobs and employs around 600 staff members.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening featured a number of legislators, local dignitaries, Illinois Gaming Board officials, Chicago Bears executives, and NFL legend and Joliet native Tom Thayer. Jay Snowden, CEO and president of PENN Entertainment, expressed excitement about the reopening, while Todd George, executive vice president of operations for PENN Entertainment, expressed gratitude for the support received.
The change of venue was facilitated by a change in Illinois law in 2019, which allowed riverboat casinos to move to land. The reopened casino is expected to provide important tax revenue, serve as a new attraction to bring more visitors to the area, and create new jobs.
In pre-market trading, shares in PENN Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PENN) were up 0.94 per cent at $17.25 per share. Shares in the company gained 1.73 per cent to close at $17.09 per share in New York Tuesday, reflecting the positive sentiment surrounding the reopening.
PENN Entertainment is committed to continuing its investment in the Will County community, aiming to attract tourists and contribute to the local economy. The reopening took place nearly six months ahead of schedule, signalling a successful transition for the casino.
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, August 20). Hollywood Casino Joliet reopens as $185 million land-based casino. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-hollywood-casino-joliet-reopens-20250820-6q4n55j45vg47t756b6hqg3bqm-story.html [2] Associated Press. (2025, August 20). Hollywood Casino Joliet reopens as a land-based casino. WGN Radio. Retrieved from https://wgnradio.com/2025/08/20/hollywood-casino-joliet-reopens-as-a-land-based-casino/
