Boat-based entertainment venue in Hollywood, the Joliet Riverboat, to shut down in preparation for a new land-based casino's launch.
After more than three decades of operation, the Hollywood Casino Joliet riverboat will close its doors on July 29, 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the gaming facility. This closure is in anticipation of the opening of a modern, land-based casino, scheduled for August 11, 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
The forthcoming Hollywood Casino Joliet is a $185 million investment by PENN Entertainment, representing a significant upgrade from the riverboat to a state-of-the-art land casino. The new facility will be located approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, operating about two miles west of its current riverboat location.
The new Hollywood Casino Joliet will boast over 1,000 slot machines, a high-limit slots and table game area, and 43 live-dealer table games. In addition, it will feature several restaurants and bars, including Sorellina, a restaurant by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. An ESPN Bet Sportsbook will also be present, adding to the entertainment offerings.
Todd George, Penn's executive vice president of operations, expressed his excitement about the new location, noting that the investment aims to increase gaming revenue in Illinois' third most populated city. The new casino is expected to enhance the entertainment and gaming experience for patrons, potentially attracting more visitors to Joliet and impacting the competition in the regional gaming industry.
It's important to note that while the new Hollywood Casino Joliet won't immediately offer on-site lodging, the hotel at the riverboat Hollywood Casino Joliet will cease operations on July 26. The new casino's opening aligns with infrastructure improvements in Joliet, such as scheduled reopenings and maintenance on key local bridges, which may facilitate access to the new casino location.
In the Illinois gaming market, Hollywood Casino Joliet currently ranks ninth in terms of gross gaming revenue (GGR). With the new land-based casino, the casino is poised to compete more effectively against the leaders in the market. As of June, Rivers Casino Des Plaines continues to dominate, with its year-to-date GGR at more than $249.7 million, while Wind Creek Southland Chicago is at a distant second with approximately $96.1 million in GGR.
The transition from riverboat to land-based casino reflects broader trends in casino modernization and may strengthen Illinois' position in the competitive Midwest gaming market. The investment by PENN Entertainment indicates confidence in the Illinois gaming market's growth potential and could stimulate local economic activity through job creation and tourism.
[1] Hollywood Casino Joliet to close riverboat, open new land-based facility in August (2025) [2] PENN Entertainment invests $185 million in new Hollywood Casino Joliet (2025) [3] Infrastructure improvements in Joliet to facilitate access to new Hollywood Casino Joliet (2025)
- The closing of the Hollywood Casino Joliet riverboat in July 2025 will pave the way for the opening of a modern, land-based casino, a $185 million investment by PENN Entertainment.
- The new Hollywood Casino Joliet, slated to open in August 2025 (subject to regulatory approvals), will be a significant upgrade from the riverboat, boasting over 1,000 slot machines and 43 live-dealer table games.
- Located about 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, the new Hollywood Casino Joliet will offer several restaurants and bars, including Sorellina by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, and an ESPN Bet Sportsbook.
- Todd George, Penn's executive vice president of operations, is excited about the new location, believing it will increase gaming revenue in Joliet, Illinois' third most populated city.
- The closure of the riverboat's hotel on July 26 precedes the opening of the new casino, which aligns with infrastructure improvements in Joliet, such as scheduled reopenings and maintenance on key local bridges.
- In the Illinois gaming market, the Hollywood Casino Joliet currently ranks ninth in terms of gross gaming revenue (GGR), but the new land-based casino could help it compete more effectively against the market leaders like Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
- The transition from riverboat to land-based casino reflects broader trends in casino modernization, potentially strengthening Illinois' position in the competitive Midwest gaming market.
- The investment by PENN Entertainment indicates confidence in the Illinois gaming market's growth potential and could stimulate local economic activity through job creation and tourism, setting new trends in casino-personalities, casino-culture, casino-games, casino-and-gambling, and responsible-gambling.
