PENN Entertainment has reopened the Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois as a land-based casino, nearly six months ahead of schedule.
The new $185 million land-based casino is open to the public after a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this week that featured a number of legislators and local dignitaries, Illinois Gaming Board officials, Chicago Bears executives, and NFL legend and Joliet native Tom Thayer.
The 189,000 square foot venue boasts approximately 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, as well as a baccarat room and an ESPN BET retail sportsbook. It will employ around 600 members of staff and generated approximately 450 construction jobs.
The casino replaces the former riverboat property that had operated on the shores of the Des Plaines River since 1992 and closed on 29 July.
The change of venue was facilitated by a change in Illinois law in 2019, which allowed riverboat casinos to move to land.
“We would like to officially welcome players and guests to the all-new Hollywood Casino Joliet,” said PENN Entertainment CEO and president Jay Snowden. “After approximately 20 months of construction, we are thrilled to open the doors to this land-based entertainment destination.
“We are proud of our 30-year history in Will County and are committed to continuing our investment in the community by creating new jobs, providing important tax revenue, and serving as a new attraction to bring even more visitors to the area.”
Todd George, executive vice president of operations for PENN Entertainment, commented: “This opening marks an exciting new era of entertainment in Joliet. We’re grateful for the support from the city of Joliet, the Illinois Gaming Board, and our business and community partners who contributed to the successful development of this new property. We look forward to delivering an elevated experience with world-class dining, entertainment, and gaming options for patrons across the region.”
Shares in PENN Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PENN) gained 1.73 per cent to close at $17.09 per share in New York Tuesday and were up 0.94 per cent in pre-market at $17.25 per share.