Penn Entertainment has revealed its intention to permanently shut down the Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat at 5:59 a.m. CDT on June 10. This decision comes as the company prepares to unveil its new $360 million land-based casino and entertainment venue later this month.
The new Hollywood Casino Aurora, situated at 2500 N. Farnsworth Ave., close to the Chicago Premium Outlets and Interstate 80, is set to open on June 24, pending final regulatory approvals.
Jay Snowden, CEO and President of Penn Entertainment, stated, “We are less than a month away from welcoming our loyal customers and guests to the new state-of-the-art Hollywood Casino Aurora.” He added that the Aurora riverboat has provided countless memorable experiences and contributed to the city’s economic growth for over thirty years, expressing optimism for continued success in the future.
The upcoming facility will boast around 1,200 gaming positions, featuring slot machines, table games, a high-limit gaming area, a dedicated baccarat room, and a sportsbook.
Additional amenities will include a 226-room hotel, an outdoor entertainment venue, a full-service spa, various dining and beverage options, and a 12,000-square-foot event center with meeting spaces. The site will also offer approximately 1,700 parking spaces.
Among the dining options planned for the new property are Sorella by Giada and Boulevard Food & Drink Hall.
Casino operations at the riverboat will continue as usual until the closure on June 10. The hotel at the new location began accepting reservations in May.
Rafael Verde, Senior Vice President of Operations for Penn Entertainment, remarked, “Our new location is ideally situated to welcome guests to enjoy a broad array of entertainment and dining experiences in the region.” He also encouraged customers to visit nearby locations, including the new Hollywood Casino Joliet and Ameristar East Chicago.
The company announced that any unused chips from the Hollywood Casino Aurora riverboat can be redeemed at the cashier cage of the new casino until December 31, 2026.
Furthermore, Hollywood Casino Aurora plans to launch a new website on June 10, which will provide guests with details on restaurant hours, menus, and reservation options ahead of the opening.
The downtown riverboat location of Hollywood Casino Aurora first opened its doors on June 17, 1993, at a time when state law mandated that casinos be located on boats that floated independently. With changes in legislation now permitting land-based casinos, operators are exploring relocation opportunities.
The city of Aurora is backing the new Hollywood Casino location with an upfront payment of $50 million, which will be reimbursed to the city through a tax increment financing district associated with the property.