Hollywood Casino Aurora Finds Success in New Location

Hollywood Casino Aurora experienced significant gains in its first full month at a $360 million land-based complex. The casino, a former riverboat operation, garnered $17.4 million in revenue and nearly 156,000 visitors. This performance elevated it to the third spot among Illinois’ 17 casinos in July, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. The transition to a land-based facility has doubled both revenue and admissions compared to the previous year when the casino was still a floating barge on the Fox River.

Penn Entertainment’s CEO, Jay Snowden, noted the positive response during an earnings call. The new Hollywood Casino Aurora officially opened in late June near Interstate 88 and Chicago Premium Outlets mall. It offers 1,200 gaming positions, a 226-room hotel, a 12,000-square-foot event center, and numerous dining choices, including Sorella by Giada and Boulevard Food & Drink.

In July, the casino rose from ninth to third place in statewide revenue rankings, behind Rivers Casino Des Plaines with $46.7 million and Wind Creek Chicago Southland with $19.7 million. Other notable casinos include Hard Rock Casino Rockford and Bally’s Chicago, both at $13.1 million, as well as American Place in Waukegan at $12.4 million, and Hollywood Casino Joliet at $12.2 million.

Penn Entertainment, which owns Hollywood Casino Joliet and Aurora, has invested heavily in transitioning these venues from riverboats to land-based facilities. The new Aurora complex not only caters to gamblers but also offers diverse amenities such as a hotel and a range of dining options, potentially drawing non-gamblers as well.

Snowden highlighted that guests at the hotel’s new property showed a 21% higher average daily worth. Since opening, 20% of visitors have been new to Hollywood Aurora. The complex features a food hall and celebrity chef restaurants, continuing a tradition begun when Illinois first legalized riverboat gambling 36 years ago.

A change in Illinois’ gambling laws in 2019 allowed for the construction of land-based casinos, resulting in a surge in new facilities. Bally’s Chicago is set to open a $1.7 billion entertainment complex in River West by early 2027, while American Place is developing a permanent Waukegan casino expected to open in 2028.