A Shake Shack is planned inside a brand-new casino rising on the Iowa side of the river. PENN Entertainment broke ground last month on Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, a land-based replacement for the aging Ameristar riverboat casino. The casino is expected to open in 2028.
A $200 Million Build Replacing the Riverboat
PENN Entertainment first announced the plan in April 2025, detailing an expected $180 million to $200 million project to move Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs' riverboat operations onto a new, state-of-the-art land-based site. Up to $150 million of that budget is available through financing from Gaming and Leisure Properties, the company said. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved the relocation proposal on April 24, 2025, according to PENN Entertainment.
PENN Entertainment held a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the project on September 14, 2026. The company projects construction will take roughly 18 to 24 months, with the property opening in 2028.
What's Inside the New Hollywood Casino Hotel
The finished property is expected to span roughly 125,000 square feet of new development, including about 58,000 square feet of gaming space, PENN Entertainment's initial announcement noted. By the time of the groundbreaking, the company was describing a $180 million to $200 million regional destination with more than 1,000 gaming positions.
Food options will expand too. The new casino will be home to Red Lotus, a fast-casual Asian-cuisine restaurant, according to GrowOmaha, alongside the long-awaited Shake Shack. The opening will add another dining option for diners on both sides of the Missouri River.
Shake Shack's Casino Expansion Push
Council Bluffs is just one stop in a much larger rollout. Shake Shack has struck a new licensing partnership with PENN Entertainment covering 10 casino properties nationwide, with the first of those locations slated to open in 2026, according to USA Today. Additional Shake Shack locations tied to the partnership are planned for Hollywood Casino in Toledo, Ohio, and River City Casino Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, the paper reported, citing company comments.
The casino pipeline fits into a broader growth streak for the burger chain. Shake Shack has said its long-term goal is to reach 1,500 company-operated locations across the United States. The company plans 60 to 65 company-operated openings in 2026, according to a Shake Shack investor update.
The new Hollywood Casino Hotel is part of PENN's redevelopment of the Ameristar campus into a modern land-based casino. The property includes an existing 160-room hotel and dining options. Shake Shack and Red Lotus are planned as two new restaurants inside the casino.
What's on the Menu
Shake Shack's menu is built around 100% Angus beef burgers made from beef that is antibiotic-free and hormone-free, served on soft potato rolls, per details included in the Register's reporting. The signature ShackBurger comes topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce, and the broader menu includes crinkle-cut fries, hot dogs, frozen custard shakes, and often local craft beer or wine.
