PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Hollywood Casino New Orleans Land-Based Project

PENN Entertainment announced plans to invest approximately $195 million to relocate its existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation in Harvey, Louisiana to a new adjacent land-based facility that would be rebranded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and the project includes roughly 140,000 to 145,000 square feet of development with about 875 slot machines along with 45 table games plus a retail sportsbook, dining options and other amenities while the expected opening remains set for 2029 subject to regulatory approval.

Details of the Relocation Announcement

The company outlined the shift from the current riverboat setup to a permanent onshore structure located next to the existing site, and this move follows the pattern seen in other Louisiana properties that have transitioned away from water-based operations since the state passed enabling legislation in 2018; observers note that the new facility would maintain the same gaming capacity while adding expanded amenities in a single integrated building rather than relying on the floating vessel format.

Construction plans call for the land-based casino to sit adjacent to the current riverboat location in Harvey, which allows for continuity of operations during the transition period, and the rebranding to Hollywood Casino New Orleans aligns with PENN Entertainment's broader portfolio of properties that carry the Hollywood name across multiple states.

Project Specifications and Amenities

The development footprint covers between 140,000 and 145,000 square feet and incorporates the core gaming elements of approximately 875 slot machines and 45 table games along with a dedicated retail sportsbook area, and additional features include various dining options plus other guest amenities designed to support extended visits; those who've reviewed the preliminary plans indicate that the layout prioritizes efficient flow between gaming zones and non-gaming spaces.

Regulatory approval remains a required step before groundbreaking can begin, and the timeline targets a 2029 opening which provides several years for permitting, design finalization and construction phases to unfold in sequence.

Broader Louisiana Casino Industry Context

Louisiana has seen multiple riverboat operators pursue similar onshore relocations in recent years following the 2018 state law that removed previous restrictions on land-based casino development, and the PENN Entertainment project fits directly into this established trend without introducing new regulatory frameworks; data from state records shows that several properties have already completed comparable transitions, resulting in updated facilities that operate year-round regardless of river conditions.

The Harvey location benefits from its proximity to the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, and the move to a land-based structure eliminates operational limitations associated with the riverboat format such as docking requirements and weather-related disruptions while preserving the existing customer base that has frequented the Boomtown site.

Timeline and Next Steps

Following the initial announcement, the project enters a phase focused on securing necessary approvals from state and local regulators, and the 2029 target date accounts for the full cycle of planning, permitting and building that such a development typically requires; company statements emphasize that construction would begin only after all clearances are obtained.

Stakeholders in the region have received information about the economic activity expected during both the construction and operational stages, though specific figures on job creation or tax revenue remain subject to final design decisions and regulatory review.

Conclusion

The relocation of the Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans operation to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans land-based facility represents a significant capital investment by PENN Entertainment, and the project continues the ongoing shift toward onshore casino infrastructure across Louisiana that began after teh 2018 legislative change; with an anticipated 2029 opening and a defined scope that includes gaming, sportsbook and dining components, the development stays on track pending regulatory sign-off.