Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs is a riverboat casino with an attached hotel on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, across from Omaha. Its main advantage is convenience: roughly 1,200 listed slots, table games, restaurants, and an overnight stay at one property. I see it as a better fit for a casino-centered weekend than a full resort vacation. The weekend-only buffet and planned Hollywood-branded replacement are important caveats, particularly if you are booking around a specific meal or facility.
Ameristar Council Bluffs: quick facts
| Address | 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 |
|---|---|
| Property type | Riverboat casino with an attached hotel |
| Listed gaming floor | 35,125 square feet |
| Slots | 1,228 listed machines, approximately 1,200 for trip planning |
| Table games | 28 listed tables, not necessarily all staffed |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Sportsbook | Retail sportsbook listed by the regulator |
| Hotel | Official website advertises more than 160 guest rooms; published totals conflict |
| Check-in / check-out | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. |
| Amenities | Indoor pool, fitness center, and whirlpool suite options |
| Rewards program | PENN Play |
| Phone | (712) 328-8888 |
| Source material retrieved | October 11, 2026 |
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s Ameristar listing supplies the gaming figures, address, phone number, and retail sportsbook listing. Its inventory has no stated effective date. Treat those counts as listed capacity, not a promise about what will be available when you arrive.
Property overview and the planned Hollywood conversion
Ameristar serves the Council Bluffs and Omaha market. Its attached hotel lets you finish dinner or a gambling session without arranging another ride. That is useful, but it does not automatically make Ameristar the best hotel for a trip centered on Omaha sightseeing.
The riverboat setup matters, too. Do not picture a newer casino built around one enormous, single-level gaming hall. If walking distances, elevators, or the route between your room and the casino are important, ask about them before booking.
On April 24, 2025, the commission approved conversion to a land-based casino with Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs branding, conditional on construction completion. The commission’s history records that approval, but the published information does not establish that the replacement has opened. I would not book on the assumption that the new casino is already operating.
In its September 2026 coverage of the Hollywood project, Casino.org reported an expected construction duration of 18 to 24 months. That is a projection, not a confirmed opening date.
For alternatives around the state, see our Iowa casinos guide.
Casino floor: slots, table games, and poker
The listed mix of roughly 1,200 slots and 28 tables makes Ameristar a reasonable option for visitors who want machine gaming and table play at one property. The inventory cannot tell you how many tables will be open during your visit.
My advice is to ask a specific question: “Will the game I want be staffed when I expect to arrive?” A total table count is not much help if your preferred game opens after you leave.
Slots and video poker
Slots are the clearest part of the documented gaming offering. The supplied sources do not establish a current machine list, denomination range, or video poker inventory. Confirm directly if you are traveling for a particular title or paytable.
Check a slot’s total wager, not just its denomination. A penny machine can require a considerably larger bet to activate its features. For video poker, inspect the paytable rather than assuming machines with the same game name offer identical payouts.
I would ignore claims that machines are loose, tight, or due. Guest accounts of wins and losses do not establish payout percentages.
Table games and minimum bets
The regulator lists 28 table games, but the supplied current sources do not identify the full lineup or establish minimum bets. Blackjack, craps, and roulette appear in the older page; confirm their current availability rather than treating that list as a guarantee.
Do not build a weekend budget around an old minimum-bet quote. Limits and staffing can change with demand. For blackjack, check the posted payout and rules: the lowest minimum is not necessarily the best deal.
Poker room availability
There is no dedicated poker room.
Video poker and house-banked games with poker in their names are not the same as a room where players compete against one another.
Sportsbook and sports viewing
A retail sportsbook is listed by the regulator. The official dining page calls the sports venue THE SPORTSBOOK and advertises 50 HDTVs, three multi-screen video walls, and a real-time sports ticker.
Sports viewing has a clearer role here than a few televisions behind a casino bar. Still, watching a game and placing a bet are separate services. Confirm betting-counter hours, ticket redemption arrangements, and seating availability if they are central to your visit.
The supplied sources use different sportsbook names and do not settle the current betting-platform operator. I would not infer it from an older ESPN Bet reference. A rewards app is also not proof that mobile wagering is available wherever you happen to be.
Hotel, suites, and indoor pool
The official hotel page advertises more than 160 guest rooms, whirlpool King Spas suites, and Octagon luxury suites. It lists wireless Internet access, in-room safes, a fitness center, and Missouri River views. Do not assume every room has a whirlpool or river view.
Room totals disagree: the hotel website says more than 160 guest rooms, the industry association says 160 rooms and suites, and the regulator lists 444. the published information does not explain the discrepancy, so an exact total should not be treated as settled.
For me, the reason to pay for an on-site stay would be avoiding another ride after a casino evening. If most of your itinerary is elsewhere, compare the complete price and transportation needs with an off-site hotel.
The indoor pool’s published hours are 6 a.m. to midnight daily. Its glass enclosure and opening doors give it flexibility with the weather, but this is a hotel amenity rather than a sprawling resort pool complex. Confirm availability if it is a deciding factor. Anyone under 18 using the fitness center must be accompanied by an adult.
Hotel taxes, deposits, and reservation fees
- Room tax: The published policy lists 12% per room per night.
- Deposit: A separate $50.00 deposit per stay is listed.
- Card authorization: The hotel describes a hold for anticipated charges plus estimated incidentals. A deposit or authorization is not automatically a nonrefundable expense, but it can tie up available funds.
- Reservation fee: Phone and front-desk bookings carry a $10.00 fee, with Owners Club and Elite exemptions. Direct online bookings avoid this reservation fee.
- Resort fee: the published information does not settle whether one applies. Avoiding the reservation fee does not establish that a stay has no other charges.
Check-in begins at 4 p.m., and check-out is at 11 a.m. Guests renting a room must be at least 21. The named reservation guest must present valid identification and a valid credit card in their name. Personal checks and prepaid cards are not accepted for check-in.
Cancellation and near-arrival bookings
The published policy applies a no-show charge to reservations not cancelled at least 48 hours before arrival: one night plus tax, or $56.00 for PENN Play complimentary reservations. Bookings made within 48 hours of arrival also have advance deposit requirements.
Read the terms attached to your chosen rate rather than relying on the older article’s 24-hour cancellation language.
Gamboool’s practical cost comparisons
These comparisons use the supplied public hotel and buffet policies and previously completed arithmetic. They are not room quotes, firsthand tests, or a guest survey. Illustrative scenarios are labeled.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Buffet: Friday versus Saturday adult prices | Friday crab legs are listed at $58.99, while Saturday Italian favorites are listed at $29.99. |
| Buffet: Sunday adult and child prices | Sunday champagne brunch is listed at $31.99. Children aged 4–10 are listed at $19.99, and children aged three and under eat free. |
| Buffet: Weekend versus weekday service | The published schedule offers Friday and Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch, with Monday through Thursday closed. |
| Hotel: Booking-channel fees and tier exemptions | Phone and front-desk reservations carry a $10.00 fee, except for Owners Club and Elite guests. Direct online reservations avoid that fee. |
| Hotel: Room tax versus room deposit | The published policy lists room tax of 12% per room per night and a separate $50.00 deposit per stay. |
| Hotel: Arrival, departure, and late-departure policy | Check-in begins at 4 p.m., check-out is at 11 a.m., and late check-out is subject to an additional charge. |
| Hotel: Paid versus complimentary reservation no-show charges | Reservations not cancelled at least 48 hours before arrival face a one-night room-plus-tax charge, or $56.00 for PENN Play complimentary reservations. |
| Hotel: Deposit timing for near-arrival versus earlier reservations | Bookings within 48 hours of arrival are charged a first-night room-and-tax deposit, or $50.00 plus tax for complimentary reservations, at booking. Other reservations are charged a deposit on the arrival date. |
| Hotel: Card hold versus final spending | The hotel places a hold for anticipated hotel charges plus estimated incidentals; release can occur after check-out and depends on the card issuer. |
| Hotel: Accepted versus excluded check-in payment methods | A valid credit card in the reservation guest’s name is required at check-in. Personal checks and prepaid cards are not accepted for check-in. |
| Hotel: Nonsmoking-room cleaning charge | Smoking in a nonsmoking room incurs a published $250.00 cleaning fee; this policy does not establish the casino-floor smoking rules. |
| Hotel: Pets versus service animals | Pets are prohibited, with an exception for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| Hotel: PENN Heroes discount eligibility | PENN Heroes members can receive up to 30% off using HERO. Valid identification is required, and blackout dates and availability restrictions apply. |
| Hotel: Best Rate Guarantee comparison requirements | A competing rate must match the itinerary, room and bed type, guest count, and applicable booking terms. Consecutive-night comparisons use each nightly rate rather than the stay’s average price. |
| Hotel: Room-rental age and identification requirements | Guests must be at least 21 to rent a room and present valid state- or federally issued identification at check-in. |
| Indoor pool: Published access hours | The indoor pool’s published daily hours are 6 a.m. to midnight. |
| Club 38: Restricted dining access versus public restaurants | Club 38 advertises complimentary food and drink for Owners Club, Elite, and Preferred members and their guests, rather than unrestricted public access. |
| 1853 Bistro & Bar: Breakfast versus dinner offerings | 1853 advertises breakfast favorites, including former Bella’s Café items, and a dinner menu featuring steaks, seafood, and specialty dishes. |
| Dining takeout: Ordering channels and payment choices | The property advertises online and PENN Play app takeout ordering for THE SPORTSBOOK and breakfast from 1853, with payment by credit card or PENN Cash. |
| Casino redevelopment: Conditional land-based conversion and future branding | The regulator approved conversion to a land-based gambling structure with Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs branding upon completion of construction; this passage does not establish that the replacement casino has opened. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Friday crab-leg buffet premium over Saturday Italian buffet, per adult | $29.00 per adult, before any additional tax or gratuity | Choose Saturday if a lower buffet bill matters more than Friday’s crab legs; confirm the menu for your visit date. |
| Friday crab-leg buffet budget for two adults | $117.98 for two adults, before any additional tax or gratuity | Budget dinner separately from gambling; Friday’s seafood offering carries the higher published adult buffet price. |
| Sunday brunch budget for two adults and one child aged 4–10 | $83.97 for the illustrative family meal, before any additional tax or gratuity | Use the child’s age when planning the meal budget, and schedule brunch within the published Sunday service window. |
| Published room tax on an illustrative $150.00 one-night room rate | $18.00 in room tax for one night | Compare tax-inclusive room prices rather than headline rates; deposits and incidental holds are separate budgeting considerations. |
| Reservation-fee difference between phone booking and direct online booking | $10.00 per reservation | Direct online booking avoids the published reservation fee; Owners Club and Elite guests also have a stated phone and front-desk exemption. |
| Maximum advertised PENN Heroes room-rate savings on an illustrative $150.00 rate | $45.00 in potential pre-tax room-rate savings | Eligible PENN Heroes members should compare the HERO offer with other available rates; the advertised maximum is subject to availability and blackout dates. |
Research references: ameristarcouncilbluffs.com 1, ameristarcouncilbluffs.com 2, ameristarcouncilbluffs.com 3, irgc.iowa.gov.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-11. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
For a guest without the applicable tier exemption, direct online booking avoids the published $10.00 reservation fee. I would check that channel first, then compare the complete price and cancellation terms with competing offers.
At an illustrative $150.00 one-night room rate, not an available quoted rate, the published 12% tax adds $18.00. Deposits and incidental authorizations remain separate considerations.
Eligible PENN Heroes members are advertised discounts of up to 30% using HERO. On the same illustrative $150.00 eligible pre-tax rate, the maximum advertised discount represents $45.00 in potential savings. “Up to” matters: eligibility, blackout dates, and availability can limit the offer.
Restaurants and bars
The listed lineup is 1853 Bistro & Bar, the Buffet, Double Down Dogs, Club 38, and THE SPORTSBOOK. These are not five interchangeable public restaurants: Club 38 is a restricted loyalty lounge, and the buffet has a limited weekly schedule.
- 1853 Bistro & Bar: The main sit-down option described in the published information, with breakfast favorites and a dinner menu featuring steaks, seafood, and specialty dishes. The bar advertises wine, cocktails, and local beers.
- Double Down Dogs: A quick meal or snack option on the first level of the casino floor. Exact hours are not supplied.
- THE SPORTSBOOK: The sports-viewing restaurant and bar. Carryout ordering is advertised online and through the PENN Play app.
- Club 38: Complimentary food and drink are advertised for Owners Club, Elite, and Preferred members and their guests. Confirm access conditions before counting it as your dinner plan.
The older page’s Bella’s and Riva references are not the current lineup presented in these sources. The property notes that 1853’s breakfast menu includes some former Bella’s Café favorites.
Buffet prices and hours
The published buffet schedule and prices are:
| Day | Offering | Listed adult price | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Crab legs | $58.99 | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Saturday | Italian favorites, promoted for October | $29.99 | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Sunday | Champagne brunch | $31.99 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Monday through Thursday | Closed | Not applicable | Closed |
Confirm prices and menus for your date, especially the October Saturday promotion. Tax inclusion is not stated.
The supplied calculation puts Friday’s adult premium over Saturday at $29.00 per person before any additional tax or gratuity. These are different meals, not a like-for-like discount. If crab legs are the point, Friday makes sense; if a lower bill matters more, the advertised Saturday offering deserves a look.
An illustrative Friday meal for two adults has a listed base cost of $117.98. Sunday brunch for an illustrative group of two adults and one child aged 4 through 10 totals $83.97. Both exclude any additional tax or gratuity. Children three and under are advertised as eating free.
I would keep the meal budget separate from the gambling bankroll. A seafood buffet can be part of the evening without becoming something you expect the slots to finance.
Directions, parking, and visit planning
Use 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 in your navigation app. The Iowa Gaming Association’s property listing places Ameristar west of Interstate 29 at the Nebraska Avenue exit.
For northbound I-29 drivers, Ameristar’s published directions identify Nebraska Avenue as Exit 52. The listed route turns right onto Nebraska Avenue, continues onto River Road, and takes the first left to stay on River Road, with the casino on the left.
Coming from Omaha, allow for the river crossing and current traffic. No reliable drive-time estimate is supplied here.
Parking charges, valet availability, EV charging, and an airport shuttle are not established by the published information. Call if they determine whether the trip works for you. I would not arrange a flight assuming hotel transportation is included.
The commission’s April 23, 2026 meeting minutes record plans to resurface a parking lot for valet parking during land-based construction. That does not establish current valet hours or prices, but it is another reason to ask where to park.
Current casino-wide operating hours and a live entertainment schedule are also not established here. Check before planning a late arrival or show-centered visit.
Smoking, accessibility, and pets
Smoking in a nonsmoking hotel room carries a published $250.00 cleaning fee. That is a room policy, not evidence about casino-floor smoking rules. Smoke-sensitive visitors should ask about the gaming floor and routes between the hotel and restaurants.
For accessibility, ask about the room features and travel route you need. Shower configuration, elevator access, and walking distance can matter more than a general amenities label.
The hotel prohibits pets, with an exception for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PENN Play rewards
Ameristar participates in PENN Play. Bring existing account details, and check which room, dining, and promotional benefits apply locally.
The official Ameristar website describes PENN Play Casino as a free social casino. That is not proof of real-money online casino availability in Iowa or elsewhere.
My standing advice: treat rewards as a bonus. Gambling more to earn a room discount can cost more than paying for the room outright.
Strengths, drawbacks, and guest-feedback caveat
Ameristar’s practical strengths are the attached hotel, substantial listed slot inventory, indoor pool, suite options, and dining at the same property. Existing PENN Play benefits may improve the package for eligible members.
The main limitations are weekend-only buffet service, restricted Club 38 access, unconfirmed game-specific availability, and uncertainty around the future land-based conversion. Hotel holds and cancellation charges also deserve more attention than they usually get in a casino brochure.
No dated customer-review pages or documented firsthand reports were supplied. The older article’s positive quotations lack direct review links and dates, so they do not establish current recurring praise or complaints about cleanliness, service, noise, smoke, or value. These editorial observations are not a visitor consensus or guest rating.
Who Ameristar Council Bluffs is best for
- Casino-focused overnight visitors: Staying at the property simplifies the evening.
- Slot players who want table-game options: The listed inventory supports that combination, subject to current staffing.
- Couples planning dinner and gambling: Sit-down dining, a weekend buffet, and suite options give the visit more shape.
- Existing PENN Play members: Applicable offers and lounge access may improve value.
I would be more cautious about a poker-specific trip, a weekday buffet outing, or a stay requiring a guaranteed smoke-free route. If your vacation is mostly away from the casino, compare hotel location and transportation needs first.
Frequently asked questions
Has Ameristar become Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs?
The regulator approved a future land-based conversion with Hollywood branding, conditional on construction completion. the published information does not establish a completed opening or rebrand.
Does Ameristar Council Bluffs have a hotel and pool?
Yes. The official website advertises guest rooms, whirlpool and luxury suite options, and an indoor pool. Published pool hours are 6 a.m. to midnight daily, subject to availability.
Is the buffet open every day?
No. The published schedule offers Friday and Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch. It is closed Monday through Thursday. Confirm current prices and the Saturday promotional menu.
Does Ameristar have a sportsbook?
Yes, the regulator lists a retail sportsbook. Current operator branding, betting-counter hours, and redemption arrangements are not settled by the supplied sources.
What is the minimum gambling age?
The minimum wagering age is 21. The hotel separately requires guests renting a room to be at least 21 and present valid identification.
Can anyone eat at Club 38?
Club 38 is not advertised as an unrestricted public restaurant. Access is listed for Owners Club, Elite, and Preferred members and their guests, subject to property conditions.
Does direct online hotel booking save money?
It avoids the published $10.00 phone or front-desk reservation fee for guests without an applicable exemption. Compare the complete room price and terms rather than assuming that difference settles the best deal.
Sources and research note
This guide uses the supplied official property pages, Iowa regulator records, Iowa Gaming Association material, and project reporting. The supplied source material was retrieved October 11, 2026. Each external source is linked once at its relevant use.
Gamboool’s cost comparisons assemble public-source policies and supplied calculations. They are not exclusive underlying data, a representative guest survey, or a firsthand casino test. No personal visit or stay is claimed.
This rewrite is ready for user editorial review, not independently fact-checked. Time-sensitive inventory, promotions, schedules, and booking terms remain subject to review and confirmation before travel. Publication is a separate action.