PENN Entertainment Advances Plans to Shift Boomtown Casino Operations to New Land-Based Hollywood Casino New Orleans Site

PENN Entertainment has outlined a $195 million investment to move its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation from Harvey, Louisiana to a new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility on an adjacent inland site, and this relocation remains subject to regulatory approval while targeting a 2029 opening date with approximately 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining venues plus additional amenities.

The announcement ties directly into Louisiana's ongoing shift away from riverboat casinos after the 2018 state law took effect and allowed such properties to transition to permanent land-based locations, while the Harvey site sits near the current riverboat mooring and the new facility would occupy an inland parcel right next door.

Project Scope and Timeline

Construction would replace the floating casino structure with a fixed building that houses the full gaming floor, and state officials would review the plans through established licensing channels before any ground breaking occurs. The 2029 target leaves several years for permitting, design finalization and building work, and the project team would coordinate with local authorities in Jefferson Parish throughout that process.

Slot machines would number around 875 while table games would reach 45, and those counts align with current Boomtown offerings yet allow for expansion in the larger land-based footprint. A retail sportsbook would sit among the amenities alongside multiple dining options, and the overall layout would support both gaming and non-gaming visitors once the doors open.

Regulatory Path and State Context

Approval must come from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board along with any required local permits, and the company would submit detailed applications that cover site plans, financial projections and operational standards. The 2018 law created the framework for these moves, and several other riverboat operators have already completed similar transitions while others remain in various stages of planning.

Current operations at the Boomtown riverboat would continue without interruption until the new facility receives all clearances and the transition takes place, and that continuity protects existing jobs and revenue streams during the multi-year build period.

Economic and Operational Details

The $195 million figure covers land development, construction and initial fit-out, and PENN Entertainment would fund the project through existing capital resources. Gross gaming revenue figures for the current Boomtown location and statewide totals around $1.9 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 provide background context yet remain separate from the relocation announcement itself.

Monthly visitation data in the 60,000 to 70,000 range for the existing property illustrates the scale of activity that would transfer to the land-based site, and the expanded amenities would accommodate that traffic plus potential growth once the facility opens. Dining venues would include a mix of quick-service and full-service options while the sportsbook would feature dedicated betting windows and viewing areas.

Site Advantages and Development Steps

The adjacent inland location offers direct access without the constraints of river mooring, and the permanent structure would eliminate seasonal flooding concerns that sometimes affect floating casinos. Design work would incorporate modern gaming layouts along with expanded parking and hotel integration, and the overall footprint would allow for future additions if demand warrants.

Local infrastructure improvements would accompany the project, and traffic studies plus utility upgrades would form part of the permitting package submitted to regulators. Construction milestones would include foundation work, structural framing and interior build-out, each tied to specific approval checkpoints along the way.

Conclusion

The relocation plan centers on a single $195 million project that converts the Boomtown riverboat into a land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans operation, and the 2029 opening hinges on regulatory sign-off plus successful construction. Details on slot and table counts, the sportsbook and dining options remain consistent with the announcement, while the 2018 law continues to shape the broader environment in which this move occurs.