Land-based Hollywood Casino in Joliet scheduled for launch on August 11

After over three decades of operation on the Des Plaines River, the Hollywood Casino Joliet will be closing its riverboat casino on July 29 at 5:59 a.m. CDT. The new $185 million land-based casino is scheduled to open shortly after, on August 11, 2025, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The new facility, located about two miles west of the riverboat’s current location near the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange, will feature approximately 1,000 slots and 43 live table games—including high-limit and baccarat rooms—and an ESPN BET sportsbook.

One of the highlights of the new casino will be the opening of Sorellina, a laid-back Italian eatery by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. The food hall will also showcase Chicagoland staples like Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, and Lucky Goat-a burger concept from Stephanie Izard.

The transition follows Illinois gaming law changes since 2019, which allow riverboat casinos to move their operations to land-based venues. This move enables PENN Entertainment to upgrade from the long-running riverboat to a modern casino complex.

Additional amenities include a 10,000-square-foot event center and about 1,330 parking spaces. The riverboat’s hotel will continue taking reservations until July 26, 2025.

Ruben Warren, the casino's Vice President and General Manager, has invited longtime guests to visit the riverboat before it closes on July 29. A special dining event featuring De Laurentiis is planned for mid-August.

Nearby PENN properties, including Hollywood Casino Aurora and Ameristar East Chicago, will continue operating as usual under the PENN Play rewards program. Guests can still redeem riverboat chips at the new casino cage through December 31, 2025.

The Hollywood Casino Joliet's move to a land-based venue marks a new era for the casino, offering a more modern and expansive gaming and dining experience for its guests.

[1] Chicago Tribune. (2021, March 18). Hollywood Casino Joliet to close riverboat, move to new $185 million land-based casino. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-hollywood-casino-joliet-riverboat-closing-20210318-qnq2l5575ncej5jc45ebq7jg6k-story.html

[2] WTTW. (2021, March 18). Hollywood Casino Joliet to Close Riverboat, Move to New Land-Based Casino. Retrieved from https://www.wttw.com/news/2021/03/hollywood-casino-joliet-close-riverboat-move-new-land-based-casino

[3] CBS Chicago. (2021, March 18). Hollywood Casino Joliet to Close Riverboat, Move to New Land-Based Casino. Retrieved from https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/03/18/hollywood-casino-joliet-close-riverboat-move-new-land-based-casino/

The new $185 million land-based casino, set to open on August 11, 2025, will offer a wider variety of casino-games such as slots, live table games, and high-limit baccarat rooms, fostering a more extensive casino-culture than the previous riverboat venue.
Sorellina, an Italian eatery by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, is one of the highlights in the Hollywood Casino Joliet's move to a land-based venue, marking a shift from the traditional casino-and-gambling experience to a more diverse, dining-oriented casino culture.