The days of the old "riverboat" are officially numbered. Honestly, if you've ever spent an afternoon at the current downtown spot, you know the vibe is a bit... nostalgic. It’s charming, sure, but it’s also a relic of 1990s gaming laws that forced casinos to be on the water. That's all changing. Right now, on the north side of the city, a massive $360 million construction project is rapidly nearing the finish line.
The hollywood casino aurora new location isn't just a move; it's a complete identity shift for one of Illinois’ oldest gaming institutions.
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I’ve been tracking this project since the first shovel hit the dirt in November 2023. People keep asking me, "Is it just another casino?" Not really. By relocating to the intersection of Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road, right across from the Chicago Premium Outlets, Penn Entertainment is betting big on a "destination resort" model.
The Move Inland: Why Now?
Why fix what isn't broken? Well, the old riverboat setup was actually kinda broken. Since the 2019 expansion of Illinois gaming laws, operators have been allowed to move landside. The downtown Aurora site was landlocked, cramped, and frankly hard to get to if you weren't already in the city center.
The new site sits on 19 acres of prime real estate near the I-88 interchange.
Accessibility is the name of the game here. Instead of navigating one-way downtown streets and parking garages that feel like Tetris, you’ll be pulling into a 1,000-car parking structure right off the highway. It’s smart business. They’re positioning themselves to grab the attention of the eight million people who already visit the outlet mall every year.
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What’s Actually Inside the New Building
As of early 2026, the exterior of the building is mostly done. If you drive by, you’ll see the seven-story hotel tower dominating the skyline—it’s actually the tallest building built in Aurora since the 1970s.
Inside, things are moving fast.
The gaming floor is going to be a massive step up. We’re talking 1,200 gaming positions. That includes roughly 900 slots and 50 live table games. I’ve heard rumors of a dedicated baccarat room and a high-limit poker area, which is a huge deal for serious players who used to trek all the way to Rivers or Grand Victoria.
- The Hotel: 220 rooms with four-star aspirations. It’s meant to be a weekend getaway, not just a place to crash after losing a few hands of blackjack.
- The Spa: A full-service facility designed to keep non-gamblers (or those taking a break) occupied.
- The Food: This is where it gets interesting. They’ve confirmed an Italian steakhouse, an Asian noodle bar, and a high-energy sports bar.
- The Sportsbook: Since Penn owns ESPN BET, expect a state-of-the-art retail sportsbook that looks more like a NASA control room than a smoky betting window.
The Construction Timeline and Real Opening Date
Let’s talk timing. Most of the heavy lifting is done. The exterior walls are up, the digital billboards are being mounted, and the landscaping is starting to take root.
Greg Moore, the GM over at Hollywood, has been pretty vocal about the "first half of 2026" target. Currently, crews are focused on the interior "back-of-house" stuff—kitchens, plumbing, and the raised gaming floor. If you’ve ever seen how a casino is wired, you know why this takes forever. Thousands of miles of fiber optics have to be perfect before the first slot machine can be plugged in.
Realistically? We’re looking at a late spring or early summer grand opening.
Impact on the Downtown Area
There is a bit of a bittersweet side to this. The current casino has been a staple of downtown Aurora since 1993. When it closes, there’s going to be a hole.
However, the deal with the City of Aurora is pretty specific. Once the new location opens, the old barge and the walkway over the Fox River will be demolished. The land goes back to the city. This opens up a massive stretch of riverfront property for redevelopment—think parks, apartments, or maybe some actual riverside dining that doesn't involve a slot machine.
Will It Be Better Than the Old One?
Honestly, yes. The "riverboat" era was fun for a while, but the convenience of a modern land-based resort is hard to beat. You won't have to walk across a bridge to get to the action. You won't feel the slight sway of the barge when a heavy boat passes.
It’s going to feel more like a mini-Vegas than a local gambling hall.
The city is also kicking in about $50 million in bond funding to make this happen, expecting a massive return in tax revenue. They’re betting that the combination of the outlet mall and the casino creates a "super-node" of retail and entertainment.
Actionable Insights for Visitors
If you're planning a visit once the doors open, here is how to handle the transition:
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- Keep Your Rewards Card: Your Penn Play (formerly MyChoice) points and status will carry over seamlessly. You don't need a new account.
- Watch the Traffic: Farnsworth Avenue is already a nightmare during holiday sales at the outlets. Adding a casino to the mix won't help. Plan your trips for weekday mornings if you want to avoid the I-88 crawl.
- Check the Event Calendar: The new 12,000-square-foot event center is designed for more than just gambling. It’ll host concerts and conferences that the old site simply couldn't accommodate.
The transition from a riverboat to a land-based resort marks the end of an era for Aurora, but for anyone who has spent time at the new Hollywood Joliet or similar properties, it's a massive upgrade. The focus is shifting from "place to gamble" to "place to spend a weekend." Keep an eye on the signage near Bilter Road—the neon should be flickering on sooner than you think.