Penn Entertainment announced it will close the Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat on the Fox River at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10, ahead of the grand opening of its new $360 million land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora on June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. The closure marks the end of an era for one of the Chicago area's most recognizable riverboat casino destinations and sets the stage for what Penn is positioning as a flagship entertainment venue in the Chicagoland region.
The new Hollywood Casino Aurora is being developed at 2500 N. Farnsworth Ave. adjacent to Chicago Premium Outlets near Interstate 88 in Aurora, approximately 3.5 air miles northeast of the riverboat's longtime location on the Fox River in downtown Aurora. The project is the second new Penn property to open in the Chicago metro area following the launch of the land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet in August 2025.
What the New Casino Includes
The new Hollywood Casino Aurora features more than 1,200 gaming positions, encompassing both slot machines and table game chairs, as well as a retail sportsbook. The venue also includes a 226-room hotel, a 12,000-square-foot event center, approximately 1,700 parking spaces, a full-service spa, and multiple dining and bar options. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis' restaurant Sorella by Giada is among the highlighted dining offerings.
The Illinois Gaming Board will work with Penn officials to coordinate the transfer of gaming operations from the riverboat to the new land-based floor ahead of the June 24 opening. Until the riverboat closes, normal operations continue at the existing Fox River location, which operates approximately 1,000 slots and 20 table games. Any unused chips from the riverboat can be exchanged at the new property through December 31, 2026.
Penn's Illinois Strategy
Penn Entertainment's dual land-based casino openings in the Chicago suburbs reflect a broader industry transition away from riverboat and floating casino formats, which were once required by Illinois law but are no longer mandated under legislation passed in recent years. Land-based casinos offer operational efficiencies that floating properties cannot match, including easier expansion, lower maintenance costs, and more flexible amenity configurations.
The Aurora development is part of a larger expansion of Penn's Illinois footprint. The Joliet land-based casino, which opened last August at 1401 Gateway Blvd. in Rock Run Collection, set a template for the Aurora project and has been performing well in its first year of operations, according to Penn's public statements. The two Chicagoland properties together represent a substantial capital investment by Penn in Illinois, a state where the gaming regulatory environment has grown increasingly competitive following the legalization of additional casino licenses in recent years.
For casino visitors in the Chicago area, the transition means a significantly upgraded gaming experience. The new Aurora property brings hotel accommodations and a wider range of entertainment options compared to the riverboat's more limited setup, while keeping the Hollywood Casino brand recognition intact.
