From Riverboat Roots to Inland Horizons: PENN Entertainment's $195 Million Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project
Skriven av Nils Patterson · 2026-08-19
From Riverboat Roots to Inland Horizons: PENN Entertainment's $195 Million Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project
PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million in relocating its existing riverboat Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans from Harvey, Louisiana to a new inland land-based facility that will operate under the Hollywood Casino New Orleans brand; the project remains subject to regulatory approval and carries an expected opening date in 2029.
Details of the Proposed Relocation
The new facility will feature around 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, bars, and a dedicated VIP lounge while the existing hotel structure stays open and continues operations at the current Harvey site; this approach allows the company to maintain lodging capacity even as gaming operations shift to the inland location.
Observers note that the move follows a 2018 Louisiana law that permits riverboat casinos to transition to land-based sites, and it aligns with similar relocations already completed or underway by other operators across the state; data from state regulatory filings shows several properties have pursued inland conversions since the legislation took effect.
Background on the 2018 Legislation and Industry Trends
The 2018 law opened pathways for riverboat operators to relocate gaming floors to permanent inland structures without losing their licenses, provided they secure local approvals and meet investment thresholds; PENN Entertainment's proposal fits squarely within those parameters as the company seeks to modernize its New Orleans-area presence.
Figures from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board indicate that multiple riverboat properties have executed or announced comparable moves in recent years, reflecting broader industry shifts toward fixed-location facilities that can offer expanded amenities and improved accessibility for guests.
Project Components and Expected Features
Plans for Hollywood Casino New Orleans call for a comprehensive entertainment complex that includes the specified gaming floor alongside food and beverage outlets plus the retail sportsbook; the design emphasizes a land-based layout that eliminates the constraints of a floating vessel while preserving the total number of gaming positions currently available at Boomtown.
Those who have reviewed the preliminary filings note that the VIP lounge and additional dining venues will form key differentiators at the new site, offering guests dedicated spaces that riverboat configurations often limit; the existing hotel in Harvey will continue to serve visitors, creating a split-operation model during the transition period.
Timeline and Next Steps
The project timeline targets an opening in 2029, which gives PENN Entertainment and state regulators several years to complete the approval process, secure construction permits, and build the new facility; announcements indicate that groundbreaking would follow successful regulatory review rather than precede it.
People familiar with similar Louisiana projects point out that the multi-year window allows time for environmental assessments, traffic studies, and community input sessions that local governments typically require before approving large-scale gaming developments.
Regulatory and Market Context
Approval rests with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board along with local parish authorities in the New Orleans area; the company has stated that it will work through these channels before any construction begins, consistent with procedures followed by other operators who have already completed inland relocations under the 2018 statute.
Statistics compiled by industry analysts show that land-based conversions in Louisiana have generally increased guest traffic and expanded non-gaming revenue streams at the affected properties; PENN Entertainment's proposal mirrors those outcomes by incorporating additional dining and lounge options alongside the core gaming elements.
Conclusion
PENN Entertainment's announced $195 million investment outlines a clear path for transforming the Boomtown riverboat operation into Hollywood Casino New Orleans, an inland facility scheduled to open in 2029 with 875 slots, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and a VIP lounge while the existing hotel remains operational; the plan adheres to the framework established by the 2018 Louisiana law and follows patterns set by other state operators. Further updates will depend on the pace of regulatory review and construction milestones in the coming years.