PENN Entertainment announced that it will open a new Hollywood Casino Aurora in Aurora, Illinois, on June 24, 2026. The $360 million entertainment destination is the company’s second all‑new property in the Chicagoland region, following the August 2025 opening of Hollywood Casino Joliet.
The Aurora location will feature a 226‑room hotel, a Drift Spa, dining options including Sorella by Giada, a 12,000‑square‑foot event center, and approximately 1,700 parking spaces. Gaming will comprise more than 1,200 positions, including slots, tables, and a retail sportsbook, expanding the company’s gaming footprint beyond the 1,000‑slot, 43‑table configuration of the Joliet property.
This development is part of PENN’s broader strategy to transition from riverboat casinos to land‑based, integrated resort‑style properties and to strengthen its omni‑channel offering. By creating a premium entertainment destination, the company aims to deepen cross‑sell opportunities between its retail casino operations and its digital sports‑betting and iCasino platforms.
The $360 million project is financed with $225 million from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. and $50 million from the City of Aurora, and is expected to create roughly 700 jobs, nearly doubling PENN’s existing workforce in the area.
PENN’s financial context shows a high debt‑to‑equity ratio and declining margins, with a Q4 2025 net loss of $73.4 million versus $133.8 million in Q4 2024 and an adjusted EPS of $0.07 compared to $(0.44) a year earlier. The new casino is therefore a strategic investment intended to drive revenue growth and improve profitability in a challenging environment.
Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment, said, "We are now months away from opening another premium entertainment destination in the greater Chicago region. We are thrilled to follow the successful rollout of Hollywood Casino Joliet last summer with another new land‑based property, strengthening our overall retail portfolio in the Midwest and deepening our roots in the community."
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