Construction of the $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora Resort is progressing on schedule and is expected to be completed in early 2026.The resort is located across the street from Chicago Premium Outlets and near the Interstate 88 interchange.

The new resort will replace the current Hollywood Casino Aurora Riverboat, which will remain open until a new onshore facility is built.The first Hollywood casino opened in 1993 with two riverboats on the Fox River in downtown AuroraIllinois Later, a permanent 70,000 square foot hemispherical floating structure was built to replace the two riverboats.

The former Hollywood Aurora Casino will continue to operate as a riverboat while the new onshore facility is under construction.Since the Aurora Casino has only one casino license, PENN Entertainment therefore allows the old casino to operate until the day the new casino opens.

The new Hollywood Aurora Casino has it all.The planned casino resort will feature a casino area with 1,200 gaming spots, including slot machines and table game chairs.A retail sports betting store will also be open.It will also feature an upscale bar and restaurant, including an Italian-style steak restaurant.An Asian noodle bar, sports bar, and this resort hotel will feature 220 guest rooms, a full-service spa, and 12,000 square feet of space for meetings and events.Approximately 1,700 parking spaces are available.

Once completed, the new venue will host a variety of special events, including weddings, conferences, symposiums, and meetings.Special Entertainment Activities The new resort and casino will also create hundreds of permanent jobs.This is in addition to the hundreds of temporary workers currently needed to build the project.

Why is there a new casino in Aurora?
According to the Hollywood Casino website, the Expanded Gambling Act passed in 2019 allowed for a new casino in the Chicago area.Allow river boats to travel to shore.

This change, coupled with the proliferation of video game terminals (VGTs) in the state, puts Hollywood Casino Aurora at a competitive disadvantage in its current location.Working with the City to develop a new facility in a more convenient location would stimulate economic growth and generate more tax revenue.