Hollywood Casino Aurora, operated by Penn Entertainment, generated $17.4 million in revenue within its first month of operation. Located in Aurora, on a 77,000-square-meter site north of the city near Interstate 88, the casino features more than 50 live table games and includes a hotel, a significant upgrade from its riverboat predecessor.
Jay Snowden, CEO and President of Penn, highlighted the impact of the hotel on customer spending during a quarterly earnings call. "We are seeing really strong demand from VIP segment customers," he stated, noting that hotel stays have led to a more than 20% increase in play compared to the previous facility. Since its launch at the end of June, the casino has welcomed approximately 156,000 visitors, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.
Snowden also mentioned that business has nearly doubled, although he anticipates a slight decrease in activity moving forward. He remarked, "You get some benefit of everybody coming to see the property in that first month. We are very pleased with what the response has been, and the feedback we’re getting is very positive."
Data from the Illinois Gaming Board indicates that Hollywood Casino Aurora has swiftly ascended to become the state's third highest-earning casino, in stark contrast to its riverboat predecessor, which ranked ninth for the first half of 2026.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland surpassed Hollywood by earning $18.8 million in July gross gaming revenue, while Rivers Casino Des Plaines remains the state leader with revenues exceeding $44 million.
This uptick in casino revenue occurs during a broader rise in Illinois's gaming market, with receipts increasing 23.3% year-on-year to hit $167.5 million. Initially established in 1993, the riverboat casino that Hollywood replaced will be turned over to Aurora city officials for redevelopment. Despite the growth in brick-and-mortar casino wagering, sports betting numbers have seen a decline, with a significant drop of over 10% year-on-year following major sports events in May. The state's horse racing scene has also struggled since the closure of Arlington Park, which was purchased by the NFL’s Chicago Bears in 2023 for new stadium development by 2029.
