Hollywood Casino Aurora to Close Before June Landside Relaunch
Hollywood Casino Aurora is the latest Illinois riverboat casino to permanently drop anchor as it moves to a new landside location.
The PENN Entertainment casino closes next week as it prepares for the June 24 opening of its new permanent development.
At a Glance:
- The $360 million is set to open on June 24
- The casino will boast 1,200 slots and games
- A VIP room and sportsbook are also planned
- The riverboat casino has been operational since 1993
PENN Entertainment takes advantage of revamped casino law
Hollywood Casino Aurora opened in 1993, under a 1990 Illinois law that permitted moored riverboat casinos.
However, the law was drastically changed in 2019 to allow for bigger land-based casinos. The Illinois Gaming Board issued six casino licenses as part of the expansion. Plus, casino-style gambling was finally permitted at racetracks in the Prairie State.
"Our Aurora riverboat has created thousands of memorable experiences and supported economic development throughout the city for over three decades,” said PENN Entertainment CEO and President Jay Snowden, “and we look forward to replicating these successes for years to come."
The move to a landside location adds to the 17 permitted casinos that operate across Illinois. Additionally, Illinois allows VGTs (Video Gaming Terminals) in truck stops and shops. Illinois has one of the biggest VGT networks in the United States.
Sportsbook launch timed with FIFA World Cup
Illinois has had legalized online sportsbooks since 2019. However, in-person sports betting persists despite the closure of some retail sportsbooks.
Last month, DraftKings closed its Wrigley Field retail sportsbook, citing the growth of mobile sports betting.
That said, the FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and Americans are due for a bumper month of sports betting.
The World Cup is being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The home buzz will certainly increase the appetite for sports betting.
Illinois gambling tax could harm profits
Illinois’ casinos continue to do well during 2026, though a new gambling tax could bite.
This month, Illinois lawmakers approved a new budget that contains additional taxes on online gambling.
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) platforms are among those being targeted, along with prediction market contracts.
A new 1.75% fee will apply to every prediction market trade. That could hurt World Cup traders who are expected to turn to prediction platforms rather than sportsbooks for value.
Illinois casinos celebrate 2026 revenue growth
Despite the new restrictions, land-based casinos in Illinois continue to perform well. Overall, Illinois casinos reported a 13% boost in Q1 2026 revenue.
Hollywood Aurora Casino was among those celebrating the revenue growth. It will be hoping that a move to a new location continues the trend.
