Penn Entertainment Advances Onshore Casino Relocation With Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project

Penn Entertainment has outlined a $195 million investment to shift its existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation from its current location in Harvey, Louisiana, to a new land-based facility that will carry the Hollywood Casino New Orleans brand. The move targets Jefferson Parish and requires regulatory approval before construction can advance, while the projected opening stands at 2029. This development follows patterns established after the 2018 state law that permitted riverboat casinos to transition to onshore sites across Louisiana. The proposed facility will include approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, and it will incorporate a retail sportsbook plus multiple dining options and additional guest amenities. Company statements specify that the land-based format aims to replace the riverboat format currently operating under the Boomtown name, and the entire project remains conditional on approvals from state and local authorities. Data from the announcement indicates the relocation will maintain gaming capacity while modernizing the physical plant and visitor experience. Observers note that teh 2018 legislation created a pathway for several riverboat operators in Louisiana to pursue similar onshore conversions, and this Penn Entertainment initiative represents another step in that sequence. The law addressed competitive pressures from neighboring states and changing consumer preferences for fixed-location venues over water-based ones. Penn Entertainment's plan aligns with those earlier shifts by committing capital to a permanent structure in Harvey rather than continuing operations aboard the riverboat. Project timelines place the expected opening in 2029, which leaves several years for permitting, design finalization, and construction phases. Regulatory reviews will examine site plans, economic impact assessments, and compliance with gaming statutes, and those steps typically unfold over multiple stages before groundbreaking occurs. Figures from the company release show the $195 million figure covers the core relocation and build-out costs associated with the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans property. The existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat will cease operations once the land-based venue becomes active, creating a direct transition for staff, equipment, and customer base. Jefferson Parish officials will participate in the approval process because the new site falls within their jurisdiction, and local zoning plus infrastructure considerations form part of the review. Penn Entertainment has stated that the move supports long-term positioning amid evolving market conditions in the regional gaming sector.

Project Specifications and Site Details

The Hollywood Casino New Orleans development will occupy a land-based footprint in Harvey, which sits across the river from central New Orleans and already hosts the current riverboat docking area. Plans call for integration of the 875 slot machines and 45 table games into a single building that also houses the retail sportsbook and food-and-beverage outlets. Additional amenities listed in the announcement include expanded parking, hotel accommodations if required by final design, and entertainment spaces designed to draw both local patrons and visitors from the broader metropolitan area.

Construction schedules point toward phased work that could begin after 2025 once approvals clear, and the 2029 target date accounts for potential delays common in large-scale gaming projects. Penn Entertainment has experience with similar conversions in other markets, which informs the timeline and budget estimates provided in the current release. Data released alongside the announcement lists the investment at approximately $195 million without breaking out individual line items such as land acquisition or technology upgrades.

Regulatory Pathway and Market Context

Approval requirements include review by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and coordination with Jefferson Parish planning departments, and those bodies will evaluate traffic studies, environmental reports, and responsible-gaming measures before granting final permits. The 2018 state law set the framework that allows such transitions, and multiple operators have already completed or initiated comparable moves in other parishes. Penn Entertainment's filing positions the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project as the next example in that established sequence.

Market data referenced in the announcement highlights shifting player preferences toward land-based venues that offer easier access and expanded non-gaming amenities. The riverboat model, while historically significant in Louisiana, faces limitations related to docking logistics and capacity expansion, and the onshore format addresses those constraints directly. Company documents indicate the relocation will preserve employment levels while creating opportunities for new roles during the construction and eventual operations phases.

Timeline and Next Steps

Following the public announcement, Penn Entertainment will submit detailed applications to the necessary regulatory bodies, and those submissions are expected to trigger public comment periods and technical evaluations. If approvals proceed on schedule, site preparation could commence in the latter half of the decade, leading to the 2029 opening. Observers have tracked similar projects in Louisiana that moved from announcement to ribbon-cutting within comparable windows, and the current plan follows that pattern.

Conclusion

The Penn Entertainment relocation of the Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans operation to the Hollywood Casino New Orleans land-based site represents a $195 million commitment that incorporates 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining facilities, and supporting amenities. Subject to regulatory clearance, the venue is slated to open in 2029 in Harvey, Louisiana, continuing the onshore transition trend initiated by the 2018 state legislation. All details remain tied to the single announcement and the conditions outlined within it.