Hollywood Casino Riverboat To Close After 30 Years On Des Plaines River Ahead Of New Casino Grand Opening

JOLIET, IL ? Ahead of the grand opening for its new, $185 million land-based casino, Hollywood Casino announced the closing date for the existing riverboat casino in Joliet. The riverboat gaming operation will maintain its regular hours until it closes on July 29, Hollywood Casino announced.

The all-new, land-based casino is scheduled to open Aug. 11, "pending customary regulatory approvals."

The closing of the floating casino is the end of an era, after it opened in the early 1990s along the Des Plaines River ? back then, it was known as the Empress Casino. Illinois was the second state to legalize riverboat gambling in 1990 with the Riverboat Gambling Act, with casinos only allowed to operate on water. Nearly a decade later, in 1999, the law was amended to allow riverboat casinos to operate while docked, and two decades after that, in 2019, the law allowed the 10 existing Illinois riverboat casinos to move their operations to land.

On Tuesday, PENN Entertainment, which operates the Hollywood Casino, announced the riverboat property will close at 5:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 29. The hotel adjacent to the casino property will accept reservations until July 26.

"As we transition to our new state-of-the-art facility, we reflect on 30+ years of operating in Joliet," said Jay Snowden, CEO and president of PENN Entertainment. "We look forward to continuing to create best-in-class experiences for our loyal customers, welcoming new guests, and supporting this community for years to come."

PENN ENTERTAINMENT said the new Hollywood Casino Joliet is part of Rock Run Collection, "a super-regional commercial and residential development conveniently located adjacent to the Interstate 80 and Interstate 55 interchange southwest of downtown Chicago." It boasts approximately 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, including high-limit slots and table games, a baccarat room and an ESPN BET sportsbook.

Bars and restaurants at the revamped Hollywood Casino include the all-ages Sorellina by Giada De Laurentiis and Boulevard Food & Drink Hall. "Sorellina will have Giada?s signature Italian touch and feature a light and casual atmosphere, while Boulevard will include local Chicagoland favorites Antique Taco, Pretty Cool Ice Cream and an all-new burger concept from Stephanie Izard called Lucky Goat, alongside a midcentury modern-designed bar, cafe and more," PENN said in a news release.

Related: 4 New Restaurants Coming To Hollywood Casino Joliet: Details Revealed

The property also has a 10,000-square-foot event center with meeting areas and 1,330 parking spaces.

Nearby Hollywood Casino Aurora and Ameristar East Chicago, just over the state line in Indiana, are part of the same PENN Play rewards program as Hollywood Casino Joliet. Any unused chips from the Hollywood Casino Joliet riverboat location can be cashed in at the new Hollywood Casino Joliet cage until the end of the year on Dec. 31, 2025.

Related: New Restaurants Coming To Hollywood Casino Aurora's New Location

According to the news release, "Hollywood Casino Joliet expects to launch its new website on July 29 to provide information on restaurant hours, menus and reservation systems, including details on a ticketed event opportunity to dine with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis at the property in mid-August."

Photos: What Will Hollywood Casino Joliet Look Like Inside When It Opens Soon?