Penn Entertainment’s Hollywood Columbus Casino Hotel Construction to Begin This Week

Article ByDavid Weir

November 28, 2023

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Posted in: Pennsylvania Gambling News, US Casino News, US Gambling News

Penn Entertainment is set to start construction this week on the $100 million upgrade to its Hollywood Casino Columbus venue.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for November 28. Once the upgrade is complete, Hollywood Columbus Casino will be the first of the major Ohio casinos to have an onsite hotel.

“We are thrilled to soon begin construction on a new, state-of-the-art hotel at Hollywood Casino Columbus,” Jay Snowden, CEO and president of Penn Entertainment, said in a press release.

“Since opening in 2012, our Columbus property has experienced tremendous growth, and the addition of a hotel at Hollywood Casino Columbus will create a true regional destination.”

Local Workers Employed for Long-Awaited Project

Penn felt the casino needed a hotel, as the nearby area only hosts one proper hotel – Hilliard Holiday Inn – which is more than five miles from the casino. There are two motels nearby, but that hardly offers the luxury resort style feel casino operators look for in today’s market.

Featuring 180 rooms, the hotel will also offer meeting spaces, an additional restaurant, and a range of local partnerships and amenities, details of which will be disclosed at a later date.

This project will help turn the venue into a full casino resort and a comprehensive regional attraction. The expansion will employ hundreds of locals in construction and provide another 100 permanent jobs upon opening.

“We are elated to be celebrating this day with our team members, supporters, and key stakeholders,” said Rick Skinner, Vice President & General Manager of Hollywood Casino Columbus.

“We can’t wait to begin hiring new team members and welcoming more visitors from around the region to showcase our new hotel and the excitement of Hollywood Casino Columbus.”

The construction team that will begin work on November 28 will be backed by the Columbus Building and Trades Council. Executive secretary Dorsey Hager was thrilled about the project’s potential.

“Having helped build the Hollywood Casino back in 2009, it is a pleasure to once again partner with the team at Penn Entertainment and Hollywood Casino on this expansion project,” he said.

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Penn’s Wider Investments

This project is not an isolated endeavor, but part of Penn Entertainment’s wider expansion.

The operator had a troubled 2023, losing out big on its Barstool Sports investment. But it has recently seen stocks resurge after the successful initial debut of its new ESPN Bet sportsbook.  

Penn’s casino expansion projects the construction of new Illinois casinos in Aurora and Joliet, replacing its previous riverboat venues.

It is also expanding one of its two Nevada casinos, with a new hotel tower planned for M Resort Spa and Casino, set right on the edge of Las Vegas.

The total investment for these projects is pegged at $850 million, highlighting PENN’s commitment to expanding across its U.S. casinos portfolio.

Significant financial support is underpinning these initiatives. The City of Aurora is contributing $50 million towards the project in its locale, and Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. has committed up to $575 million towards the comprehensive budget for all four projects.