$360 Million Hollywood Casino Aurora Opens Wednesday with Hotel, Spa, and Celebrity Restaurants

After years of construction and decades operating as a downtown riverboat, Hollywood Casino Aurora is making a dramatic leap to dry land — and doing it in a big way. The $360 million entertainment destination is set to open to the public Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., ushering in a new era for suburban Chicago gaming and hospitality.

A Major Upgrade From the Riverboat Era

The new property replaces the old Hollywood Casino riverboat that had operated in downtown Aurora since the 1990s. That longtime fixture was shuttered ahead of the new facility's debut, which sits in a far more accessible location off Interstate 88, directly across from Chicago Premium Outlets.

The shift from riverboat to land-based casino mirrors a broader trend across Illinois, where operators have invested heavily in larger, more amenity-rich facilities following changes to state gaming law.

What's Inside

The new Hollywood Casino Aurora is built to impress. The facility offers 1,200 gaming positions and a dedicated sportsbook, making it one of the more substantial gaming floors in the Chicago suburbs. Beyond the casino floor, guests will find:

• Drift Spa, a full-service luxury wellness retreat
• A hotel on-site for overnight stays
• A 12,000-square-foot event center
• An outdoor entertainment area

The dining lineup is equally ambitious. Sorella by Giada brings celebrity chef and entrepreneur Giada De Laurentiis to Aurora with an Italian-California fusion concept that includes indoor and outdoor seating, a contemporary bar, and private dining options. The Boulevard Food & Drink Hall rounds out the culinary offerings with a curated mix of local and regional favorites, including Lucky Goat from James Beard Award-winning Chicago chef Stephanie Izard, Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream, and Five50 Pizza. Additional restaurant announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

Part of a Bigger Suburban Push

The Aurora opening marks the second major land-based launch for parent company PENN Entertainment in less than a year. Hollywood Casino Joliet debuted its new land-based facility at the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange in August 2025, featuring roughly 1,000 slot machines, an event center, and multiple dining options.

Together, the two properties signal PENN Entertainment's aggressive investment in the Chicago suburban market, positioning both Aurora and Joliet as full-scale entertainment destinations rather than just gaming floors.

What It Means for the Region

For Aurora and the surrounding western suburbs, the new casino represents a significant economic development anchor. Its location near Chicago Premium Outlets creates a natural entertainment corridor that could draw visitors from across the region. With a hotel, spa, celebrity dining, and live events all under one roof, the property is designed to capture overnight stays and multi-hour visits rather than quick gaming trips.

Doors open Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. — and if the amenities live up to the investment, Hollywood Casino Aurora is poised to become one of the Chicago area's most prominent entertainment destinations.