The Hollywood Casino Aurora is set to officially open to the public on Wednesday evening, marking the culmination of a multi-year effort to relocate and upgrade the city’s longtime casino facility. The new $360 million complex, located near the Interstate 88 interchange at Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road, replaces the former riverboat casino in downtown Aurora, which closed on June 10 after operating for more than two decades.
Developed by PENN Entertainment, the new casino features a 1,200-person gaming floor equipped with slot machines and table games, complemented by several dining options, a 226-room hotel, a spa, meeting spaces, and an event center. The property’s design aims to appeal to both gaming enthusiasts and wider audiences, with family-friendly areas outside the casino floor, which remains restricted to guests 21 and older.
The relocation follows a decade of planning and significant changes in Illinois gambling laws. Greg Moore, vice president and general manager of Hollywood Casino Aurora, noted that preliminary discussions began in 2016 but became more substantial after a 2019 state law authorized casinos to operate entirely on land rather than on water, facilitating the move from the docked riverboat. Initially, Illinois casinos were limited to boats cruising waterways, a regulation gradually relaxed over the past several decades.
Amenities at the new location reflect a focus on food and beverage experiences alongside gaming. Among the offerings are a variety of restaurants including “O Bar,” “Red Lotus,” serving Asian cuisine, a sports bar with a retail sportsbook, and the entertainment bar “& Vine.” Red Lotus, situated near the baccarat room, offers dishes such as potstickers, lamb chops, and Kung Pao chicken, while the sports bar menu includes traditional and innovative options like a hot dog wrapped in Italian beef and deep-fried in pizza crust — a creation attributed to Moore himself.
Additional notable eateries include Sorella, an Italian steakhouse by chef Giada De Laurentiis featuring handmade pasta and specialty steaks, and the Boulevard Food and Drink Hall, developed in partnership with the McClain Camarota Hospitality group. The food hall hosts diverse vendors including celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s Lucky Goat burger spot, Five50 Pizza, Antique Taco, and premium ice cream and coffee shops.
Above the food hall and spa is the seven-story hotel, which excludes a fourth floor due to cultural superstitions. The facility also boasts a 12,000-square-foot event center intended for weddings, corporate gatherings, and live entertainment. Scheduled performances include shows by X Ambassadors, Lit and Sponge, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Ben Bankas.
The downtown riverboat casino site will be demolished under an agreement between PENN Entertainment and the city of Aurora. The city plans to restore the riverfront area but has not disclosed detailed future development plans. The casino’s relocation was supported through a $50 million upfront payment to Aurora, repayable via a tax increment financing district established on the new property. The creation of this district was contentious, facing opposition from current Mayor John Laesch during his tenure on the city council.
While the new casino’s local impact remains to be fully assessed, the nearby Hollywood Casino Joliet’s recent transition to a land-based facility has resulted in increased attendance and revenue, suggesting a potentially positive outlook for Aurora’s new complex. Moore expressed optimism about the project’s prospects, calling the opening a “thrilling” milestone after years of work.