PENN Entertainment Expects to Open New Casino on June 24
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy PENN?
PENN Entertainment expects to open the new land-based Hollywood Casino Aurora to the public on Wednesday, June 24, pending customary regulatory approvals. This will be the second all-new PENN property to open in the Chicagoland region following the grand opening of the land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet in August 2025. The new $360 million entertainment destination is being developed across from Chicago Premium Outlets, located near Interstate-88 in Aurora. The state-of-the-art property will feature a luxurious hotel, more than 1,200 gaming positions, a retail sportsbook, outdoor entertainment area, full-service spa, premium bars and restaurants, a 12,000 square foot event center and approximately 1,700 parking spaces. The Company expects to employ approximately 700 team members at the new casino, which nearly doubles PENN's existing employee roster in Aurora.
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Analyst Views on PENN
Wall Street analysts forecast PENN stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 14.160
Low
14.15
Averages
19.38
High
26.00
Current: 14.160
Low
14.15
Averages
19.38
High
26.00
About PENN
PENN Entertainment, Inc. is a provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. The Company operates in 28 jurisdictions throughout North America, with a broadly diversified portfolio of casinos, racetracks, and online sports betting and iCasino offerings under brands including Hollywood Casino, L’Auberge, ESPN BET, and theScore BET Sportsbook and Casino. Its segments include Northeast, South, West, Midwest, and Interactive. The Northeast segment includes Ameristar East Chicago, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and Hollywood Casino Bangor. The South segment includes 1st Jackpot Casino, Ameristar Vicksburg, Boomtown New Orleans, and L’Auberge Baton Rouge. The West segment includes Ameristar Black Hawk, M Resort Spa Casino, and Zia Park Casino. The Midwest segment includes Ameristar Council Bluffs, Hollywood Casino Aurora, and River City Casino. Its Interactive segment includes online sports betting, online casino/iCasino, and social gaming operations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
New Hollywood Casino Set to Open in Aurora
- New Entertainment Venue Opening: PENN Entertainment announced that the new Hollywood Casino is expected to open on June 24, 2026, with a $360 million investment aimed at enhancing the company's market share in the Chicago area and attracting more visitors.
- Luxury Facility Features: The new casino will include 1,200 gaming positions, a 226-room upscale hotel, a full-service spa, and a 12,000 square foot event center, expected to create approximately 700 new jobs, nearly doubling the existing workforce in Aurora.
- Dining Experience Enhancement: The casino will partner with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis to launch Sorella, an Italian-California fusion restaurant offering around 170 seats for indoor and outdoor dining, further elevating customer dining options and overall experience.
- Funding Support Assurance: PENN expects to receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. before the opening, along with an additional $50 million from the City of Aurora, ensuring smooth project progression and enhancing financial stability.
See More
PENN Entertainment to Open New Casino on June 24
- New Casino Opening: PENN Entertainment announced the opening of the new Hollywood Casino on June 24, with a $360 million investment aimed at replacing the existing Fox River riverboat, thereby strengthening the company's foothold in suburban Chicago.
- Facilities and Services: The new casino will feature approximately 1,200 gaming positions, including slots and table games, along with a retail sportsbook and about 1,700 parking spaces, expected to attract a large customer base and enhance overall revenue.
- Diversification Strategy: The resort will include a 226-room upscale hotel, Drift Spa, and a 12,000 square foot event center, aiming to expand non-gaming revenue sources to cater to diverse needs such as conferences and weddings, reflecting PENN's keen awareness of market trends.
- Employment and Investment: The new casino is expected to create around 700 jobs and receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties along with $50 million in city support, demonstrating the project's positive impact on the local economy.
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- Integrity Framework: The MLB and Polymarket have established a comprehensive integrity framework to restrict markets that pose integrity risks, such as individual pitches and managerial decisions, thereby safeguarding the fairness of the game.
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- Regulatory Disputes: Multiple states, including Michigan and Massachusetts, have initiated civil lawsuits against Kalshi, aiming to halt its operations or compel compliance with gambling license requirements, reflecting the ongoing battle over regulatory authority in prediction markets.
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- Competitor Dynamics: Billionaire Carl Icahn has also made a bid, initially offering $28.50 per share and later raising it to $33, demonstrating his intent to acquire Caesars, potentially to drive up the acquisition price and enhance the value of his own stake.
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PENN Entertainment Expands Amenities at Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Hotel Opening Date: PENN Entertainment announced that the new hotel tower at Hollywood Casino Columbus is set to open on June 12, 2026, which is expected to enhance its position as the top entertainment destination in the region by offering modern accommodations.
- Hotel Size and Amenities: The new hotel will feature 203 rooms, including 183 standard rooms and 20 luxury suites, along with a full-service restaurant and bar, conference rooms, and a fitness center, which is anticipated to attract more upscale clientele and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Job Creation: The new hotel is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs in the west side of Columbus, with job fairs scheduled for March 27 and April 10, thereby contributing to local economic development.
- Expanded Entertainment Options: In addition to the hotel, the casino plans to introduce an expanded high-limit table games room in the second half of 2026, which is expected to enhance its entertainment offerings, attract more customers, and increase overall revenue.
See More
New Hollywood Casino Set to Open in Aurora
- New Entertainment Venue Opening: PENN Entertainment announced that the new Hollywood Casino is expected to open on June 24, 2026, with a $360 million investment aimed at enhancing the company's market share in the Chicago area and attracting more visitors.
- Luxury Facility Features: The new casino will include 1,200 gaming positions, a 226-room upscale hotel, a full-service spa, and a 12,000 square foot event center, expected to create approximately 700 new jobs, nearly doubling the existing workforce in Aurora.
- Dining Experience Enhancement: The casino will partner with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis to launch Sorella, an Italian-California fusion restaurant offering around 170 seats for indoor and outdoor dining, further elevating customer dining options and overall experience.
- Funding Support Assurance: PENN expects to receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. before the opening, along with an additional $50 million from the City of Aurora, ensuring smooth project progression and enhancing financial stability.
See More
PENN Entertainment to Open New Casino on June 24
- New Casino Opening: PENN Entertainment announced the opening of the new Hollywood Casino on June 24, with a $360 million investment aimed at replacing the existing Fox River riverboat, thereby strengthening the company's foothold in suburban Chicago.
- Facilities and Services: The new casino will feature approximately 1,200 gaming positions, including slots and table games, along with a retail sportsbook and about 1,700 parking spaces, expected to attract a large customer base and enhance overall revenue.
- Diversification Strategy: The resort will include a 226-room upscale hotel, Drift Spa, and a 12,000 square foot event center, aiming to expand non-gaming revenue sources to cater to diverse needs such as conferences and weddings, reflecting PENN's keen awareness of market trends.
- Employment and Investment: The new casino is expected to create around 700 jobs and receive $225 million in funding from Gaming and Leisure Properties along with $50 million in city support, demonstrating the project's positive impact on the local economy.
See More
Polymarket Named Official Prediction Market Partner of MLB
- Partnership Announcement: Major League Baseball (MLB) has officially named Polymarket as its prediction market partner, aiming to enhance fan engagement and brand exposure through collaborative efforts.
- Exclusive Rights: Under the agreement, Polymarket and its brokers will gain exclusive access to MLB logos and official data, which not only strengthens Polymarket's market position but also provides opportunities for brand visibility at MLB events.
- Integrity Framework: The MLB and Polymarket have established a comprehensive integrity framework to restrict markets that pose integrity risks, such as individual pitches and managerial decisions, thereby safeguarding the fairness of the game.
- Regulatory Collaboration: The MLB signed a memorandum of understanding with CFTC Chairman Michael Selig, indicating a commitment to share information related to prediction markets, which enhances regulatory oversight and ensures market transparency and fairness.
See More
Kalshi Faces Criminal Charges in Arizona Over Betting Operations
- Legal Escalation: Arizona's Attorney General has filed 20 misdemeanor charges against Kalshi for accepting various bets, including state election wagers, without a license, highlighting the increasing legal risks the company faces in the wake of regulatory scrutiny.
- Regulatory Disputes: Multiple states, including Michigan and Massachusetts, have initiated civil lawsuits against Kalshi, aiming to halt its operations or compel compliance with gambling license requirements, reflecting the ongoing battle over regulatory authority in prediction markets.
- Legal Strategy: Kalshi has preemptively sued to prevent punitive actions from other states, although Arizona's Attorney General described this as
See More
Fertitta Entertainment Negotiates Acquisition of Caesars Entertainment
- Acquisition Negotiations: Fertitta Entertainment is negotiating to acquire Caesars Entertainment at a price of $32 per share, representing an equity value of $6.5 billion and an enterprise value of $31.5 billion, indicating strong interest in the company.
- Competitor Dynamics: Billionaire Carl Icahn has also made a bid, initially offering $28.50 per share and later raising it to $33, demonstrating his intent to acquire Caesars, potentially to drive up the acquisition price and enhance the value of his own stake.
- Market Reaction: Caesars' stock has been under pressure since October 2021, despite its digital business becoming profitable, as investors remain skeptical about future growth, particularly in light of significant declines in competitors' stock prices like DraftKings and FanDuel.
- Regulatory Challenges: Should the acquisition agreement be reached, it will face regulatory and shareholder scrutiny, especially considering Fertitta's holdings in other gambling companies, which could impact the smooth execution of the deal.
See More
PENN Entertainment Expands Amenities at Hollywood Casino Columbus
- Hotel Opening Date: PENN Entertainment announced that the new hotel tower at Hollywood Casino Columbus is set to open on June 12, 2026, which is expected to enhance its position as the top entertainment destination in the region by offering modern accommodations.
- Hotel Size and Amenities: The new hotel will feature 203 rooms, including 183 standard rooms and 20 luxury suites, along with a full-service restaurant and bar, conference rooms, and a fitness center, which is anticipated to attract more upscale clientele and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Job Creation: The new hotel is expected to create approximately 100 new jobs in the west side of Columbus, with job fairs scheduled for March 27 and April 10, thereby contributing to local economic development.
- Expanded Entertainment Options: In addition to the hotel, the casino plans to introduce an expanded high-limit table games room in the second half of 2026, which is expected to enhance its entertainment offerings, attract more customers, and increase overall revenue.
See More
