PENN Entertainment's $195 Million Relocation Sets Stage for Hollywood Casino New Orleans

PENN Entertainment announced plans to invest approximately $195 million to relocate gaming operations from its existing riverboat Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans in Harvey, Louisiana to a new land-based facility branded Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland site, and this move aligns with broader industry shifts permitted under state regulations.

Project Details and Scope

The proposed development would include around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining options, and other amenities, while the existing hotel at the current location would remain open throughout the transition period, subject to regulatory approvals that company representatives expect to pursue in coming months.

Observers note that the relocation targets an inland parcel next to the riverboat site, allowing for a permanent structure that replaces the floating vessel model currently in use at Boomtown, and this approach follows patterns established after Louisiana passed a 2018 state law enabling riverboat casinos to transition onshore under specific conditions.

Timeline and Regulatory Path

Company statements indicate an expected opening for the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans in 2029, which gives planners several years to complete construction, secure necessary permits, and coordinate with local authorities in Jefferson Parish where Harvey is located, and the process will involve multiple layers of state and local gaming commission reviews before ground can break.

Industry Context in Louisiana

Data from recent years shows several riverboat operators in the state have pursued similar onshore moves since the 2018 legislation took effect, creating a trend that reduces operational constraints associated with vessel-based gaming while maintaining the same tax and licensing frameworks, and PENN Entertainment's project fits directly into this established pathway without introducing new regulatory precedents.

Those who have tracked casino developments in the region point out that the existing Boomtown riverboat has operated for decades in its current form, generating consistent visitor traffic from the greater New Orleans area, and the shift to land-based operations could allow for expanded non-gaming amenities without the physical limitations of a boat structure.

Economic and Operational Considerations

The $195 million investment covers the construction of the new facility and the relocation of gaming equipment, with projections showing the land-based venue maintaining similar gaming capacity to the current riverboat while adding flexibility for future expansions, and officials have confirmed that hotel operations at the original site will continue uninterrupted to preserve existing room inventory and guest services.

Figures released alongside the announcement detail the planned mix of 875 slot machines and 45 table games plus the sportsbook as core revenue drivers, while additional dining and amenity spaces aim to broaden appeal beyond traditional gaming visitors, and this configuration mirrors successful land-based models already operating elsewhere in Louisiana under the same 2018 framework.

Regulatory milestones will determine the exact pace, with approvals needed from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local zoning entities before full construction begins, and the multi-year timeline to 2029 accounts for these steps along with environmental and infrastructure assessments typical for projects of this scale.

Conclusion

The relocation plan represents a direct application of existing state law to one specific property, moving gaming operations from riverboat to land while keeping the associated hotel intact, and the 2029 target date provides a clear benchmark for tracking progress through the required approval and building phases ahead.