Penn Entertainment Begins Construction on New Illinois Casino

Penn Entertainment, headquartered in Berks County, is in the process of constructing a $185 million casino. The casino details, located in Illinois, have been released, and the gaming giant is expecting its new venue to become one of its newest and most advanced operations in the US. The relocation involves moving the Hollywood Casino Joliet, currently situated in Joliet, Illinois, approximately 45 minutes from Chicago. On December 13, Penn Entertainment marked the beginning of this project with a groundbreaking ceremony. The upcoming facility is set to replace the existing casino at 777 Hollywood Blvd. Positioned at the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange in Joliet, the $185-million casino will serve as the focal point for the RockRun Collection. According to the gaming provider, the construction is expected to highlight a novel mixed-use development model encompassing both commercial and residential spaces. The new casino is set to feature a diverse selection of gaming alternatives. The list includes approximately 850 slot machines, 44 live table games, including a dedicated baccarat room, a retail sportsbook, bars, restaurants, a spacious 10,000-square-foot event center, meeting areas and around 1,330 parking spaces. The development is expected to generate 450 construction jobs and, upon completion, offer 515 permanent positions, thereby expanding Penn Entertainment's existing team in Joliet by 150 individuals. Jay Snowden, CEO and president of Penn Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for the project. He highlighted the proximity to two interstates and the surrounding mixed-use development, emphasizing that these factors will provide exceptional visibility and accessibility for their modern facility in the highly attractive Chicagoland market. Hollywood Casino Joliet will remain operational during the approximately 24-month construction period of the new facility. The current Hollywood Casino Joliet boasts 50,000 square feet of gaming space across two floors. It houses over 900 slot machines and 25 table games, a sportsbook, three dining options and a 100-room hotel. Penn Entertainment, formerly known as Penn National Gaming, operates 43 properties across 20 states, including casinos in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County and Springettsbury Township, York County.