Penn Hosts Grand Opening of Hollywood Casino Joliet

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Penn Entertainment hosted the grand opening of its new Hollywood Casino Joliet venue in Illinois Monday, with the property now officially welcoming customers.

The opening event took place with various local dignitaries and famous faces in attendance. Open around the clock, the venue covers an area spanning 189,000 square feet.

On-site features include approximately 1,000 slots and 43 live table games, a baccarat room and an ESPN BET sportsbook. Visitors can also enjoy several bars and restaurants, an event center and about 1,330 parking spaces.

The $185 million casino replaces the former riverboat property that operated near the Des Plaines River since 1992. Penn closed that venue in July.

Hollywood Casino Joliet opened six months ahead of schedule. It had not been due to welcome guests until early next year, but Penn confirmed the earlier opening in May.

‘New Era of Entertainment’ for Penn and Joliet

Todd George, executive vice president of operations at Penn, welcomed the support of the community in opening the venue.

“This opening marks an exciting new era of entertainment in Joliet,” he said. “We’re grateful for the support from the city of Joliet, the Illinois Gaming Board, and our business and community partners who contributed to the successful development of this new property.

“We look forward to delivering an elevated experience with world-class dining, entertainment, and gaming options for patrons across the region.”

Penn CEO and President Jay Snowden added: “We are thrilled to open the doors to this land-based entertainment destination.

“We are proud of our 30-year history in Will County. Penn is committed to continuing our investment in the community by creating new jobs, providing important tax revenue, and serving as a new attraction to bring even more visitors to the area.”