PENN Entertainment Sets Course for Hollywood Casino New Orleans Land-Based Move

PENN Entertainment has outlined a $195 million investment to shift gaming operations from the 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 while the existing hotel stays operational through the transition. The company announced plans that include approximately 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook along with dining options and additional amenities, with construction targeted for completion and opening in 2029 subject to necessary regulatory approvals from Louisiana authorities. The relocation follows provisions in a 2018 state law that opened pathways for riverboat casinos to transition to onshore locations, and observers note this development continues a pattern seen across several Louisiana properties adapting their operations to fixed land sites rather than remaining on vessels. Experts have observed that such changes often streamline logistics and expand facility footprints without altering the core gaming license structure, while the adjacent placement keeps the project close to the original Harvey location south of New Orleans.

Project Specifications and Site Advantages

The new Hollywood Casino New Orleans would feature a consolidated layout on solid ground, eliminating riverboat-specific operational constraints such as vessel maintenance and water-level dependencies, and this setup allows for more flexible building designs that incorporate the listed gaming elements plus expanded guest services. Data from similar transitions in the state shows operators gaining efficiencies in staffing and supply chains once facilities move inland, although specific projections for this project remain tied to final engineering reviews.

Regulatory steps ahead include reviews by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local parish authorities in Jefferson Parish, where Harvey sits, and those processes typically examine environmental impact, traffic patterns, and community benefits before granting final permits. The timeline stretches to a 2029 debut, giving developers several years to complete design refinements, secure financing details, and coordinate with suppliers for the slot and table game installations.

Hotel Operations and Ongoing Stability

While gaming activities relocate, the current Boomtown hotel component will continue serving guests without interruption, maintaining lodging revenue streams during construction and beyond. This separation of hotel and casino functions represents a practical approach that preserves existing visitor infrastructure even as the gaming floor shifts to the new inland address.

Local employment figures tied to the existing riverboat operations stand to carry over with potential growth once the expanded land-based venue opens, since the project scope adds amenities that could support additional staffing needs in food service, security, and guest relations. Figures released alongside the announcement indicate the total investment covers site preparation, building construction, and initial equipment purchases for the 875 slots and 45 tables.

Broader Context Within Louisiana Casino Trends

Since the 2018 legislation took effect, multiple riverboat operators across the state have pursued similar onshore relocations, citing advantages in year-round accessibility and reduced exposure to weather disruptions common on the waterways. PENN Entertainment's project joins this sequence, positioning Hollywood Casino New Orleans as the next branded property in the company's regional portfolio that already includes several land-based and riverboat venues.

Community stakeholders in Harvey and nearby New Orleans areas have followed the regulatory filings, with public hearings expected as part of the approval sequence leading into 2027 and 2028 construction phases. The retail sportsbook component adds another layer of amenities that aligns with evolving guest preferences for integrated sports wagering alongside traditional casino games.

Timeline and Next Steps

Planning documents place the opening in 2029, which allows time for phased construction that minimizes disruption to surrounding traffic corridors near the current riverboat dock. As of August 2026 the company continues to advance preliminary engineering and environmental assessments required for the inland site, keeping the project on track for later permitting milestones.

Industry analysts tracking Louisiana gaming note that land-based conversions often coincide with modest increases in annual visitor counts once facilities improve parking and accessibility, though exact outcomes for this specific relocation will depend on final design execution and marketing strategies post-opening. The $195 million commitment reflects current cost estimates that cover both structural work and technology upgrades for the gaming floor.

Conclusion

This single project underscores how PENN Entertainment is adapting its New Orleans-area presence through a measured transition from riverboat to land-based operations, complete with defined gaming capacity and supporting amenities slated for 2029. The retained hotel operations ensure continuity for lodging guests while the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans takes shape on the adjacent site, all under the framework established by the 2018 state law. Further updates will emerge as regulatory reviews progress through the coming years.