Entertainment
Revealed in 2023, Hollywood Casino Columbus is set to debut a new “state-of-the-art hotel tower” in Ohio on June 12, 2026, with 203 rooms, 20 of which would be luxury suites.
Penn Entertainment to Soon Open New Casino
The project stemmed from Penn Entertainment (the parent company of Hollywood Casino Columbus) and GLPI negotiating a new master lease in October 2022. As part of the agreement, GLPI committed to investing $350 million to relocate Hollywood Casino Joliet inland in Illinois. Additionally, GLPI agreed to build hotels at M Resort in Nevada and Hollywood Columbus, in exchange for annual rent increases of 1.5% through 2033.
Ohio has four casinos, Hollywood Columbus being one of them. The other ones are Jack Cleveland, Hard Rock Cincinnati, and Hollywood Toledo. Voters approved the establishments through a statewide ballot referendum in November 2009, after which Penn acquired the gaming licenses for the Columbus and Toledo properties.
The casino was built in just about two years, and initial estimates for its construction were expected to be about $100 million. Back in the autumn of 2023, Penn celebrated the start of construction with a special ceremony, with the company promising that the venue would become a “true regional destination.”
What Does the New Casino Offer?
The new venue will have a full-service bar and restaurant – The Hill Eatery & Lounge. Hollywood Casino Columbus will also feature various conference rooms for larger groups, a large outdoor seating area, and a dedicated fitness center.
Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment, said the company is excited to announce the opening date for the new hotel in Columbus, which he believes will position the property as the region’s top entertainment destination. He added that the opening will mark Penn’s third retail development project completed in less than a year, following the launch of a new casino in Joliet and a second hotel tower at the M Resort.
According to the casino, the 105,000-square-foot hotel will create roughly 100 jobs. Job fairs for all hotel staff positions are scheduled for March 27 and April 10. Guests will be able to begin booking rooms starting from April 15 through the casino’s website, and a grand opening celebration is planned for June 12 that will include an outdoor festival and concert.
In other news regarding Penn Entertainment, the company recently posted its Q4 results for 2025 and is expected to see many cost savings throughout 2026.
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Stefan Velikov