PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project with 195 Million Dollar Investment

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately 195 million dollars in relocating the operations of its existing Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat from Harvey, Louisiana, to a new adjacent land-based facility that will operate under the Hollywood Casino New Orleans brand, and this move remains subject to regulatory approval while targeting an opening in 2029. The project calls for development spanning 140000 to 145000 square feet and will include around 875 slot machines together with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining venues, and additional guest amenities. Construction will take place on land next to the current riverboat site, allowing the company to transition its gaming license from water to shore under the framework established by Louisiana legislation passed in 2018.

Project Specifications and Features

The new facility expands beyond the riverboat footprint to create a larger, more integrated entertainment destination, and the design incorporates expanded floor space that supports the listed gaming positions along with non-gaming attractions. Company statements detail the inclusion of a retail sportsbook as a dedicated offering, while dining options and other amenities are positioned to draw both local patrons and visitors from the greater New Orleans area.

Site selection keeps the operation in Harvey, which sits directly across the river from downtown New Orleans, and this adjacency preserves access to the existing customer base while eliminating the need for water-based infrastructure maintenance associated with riverboat operations. The total square footage range of 140000 to 145000 provides room for the slot and table game counts plus circulation, back-of-house functions, and support areas.

Regulatory Path and State Law Context

Completion of the relocation depends on approvals from Louisiana gaming regulators, and the company has indicated it will work through the required review process before breaking ground. The 2018 state law that permits riverboat casinos to move onshore created the legal pathway now being used, and several other operators in Louisiana have already completed similar transitions in recent years.

According to the investor release, the project timeline anticipates a 2029 opening once permits are secured and construction proceeds on schedule. This places the development in line with broader industry movement away from floating vessels toward permanent land structures that offer greater flexibility in layout and expansion potential.

Operational Transition Details

The existing Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat will continue normal operations during the planning and permitting phases, and the company expects a seamless shift of gaming activity once the land-based building opens. Employees and management teams are projected to transfer to the new location, maintaining continuity in staffing while the physical plant changes from vessel to fixed structure.

Branding will change from Boomtown to Hollywood Casino New Orleans, aligning the property with PENN Entertainment's national portfolio that includes other Hollywood-branded locations. The retail sportsbook component represents a modern addition that was not part of the original riverboat configuration, reflecting evolving guest preferences for sports wagering alongside traditional casino games.

Industry Trend and Timeline Outlook

Louisiana riverboat operators have pursued onshore relocations since the 2018 law took effect, and the PENN Entertainment announcement fits this established pattern of capital investment aimed at modernizing assets. The 2029 target date allows several years for design finalization, regulatory clearance, and phased construction on the Harvey site.

Project costs are stated at approximately 195 million dollars, covering land development, building construction, gaming equipment installation, and initial fit-out of dining and amenity spaces. Once operational, the larger facility is expected to support the listed gaming positions and non-gaming offerings without the spatial constraints inherent to riverboat decks.

Conclusion

The relocation project represents a significant capital commitment by PENN Entertainment in the Louisiana market, and details released to date outline the scale, gaming mix, and timeline while underscoring the continued regulatory steps ahead. Observers tracking the 2018 law's impact will note this as another instance of an operator electing to move from river to land under the current statutory framework. Further updates are anticipated as the company advances through the approval process and construction milestones.