From Riverboat Roots to Inland Expansion: PENN Entertainment Outlines Hollywood Casino New Orleans Relocation

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million in replacing its current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation in Harvey, Louisiana, with a new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility on an adjacent inland site, and this move follows the framework established by a 2018 Louisiana law that permits riverboat casinos to transition ashore once regulatory approvals are secured.

Project Scope and Facility Details

The proposed development calls for around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining options, and additional amenities that would replace the existing riverboat setup while maintaining continuous operations during the transition period, and observers note that the inland location offers expanded space compared to the constraints of a floating vessel.

Construction would occur on property next to the current Harvey site, allowing the company to leverage existing infrastructure and customer access patterns, while the overall investment covers site preparation, building construction, gaming equipment installation, and amenity development with an anticipated opening targeted for 2029.

Regulatory Pathway and Timeline Considerations

Before any construction begins the project remains subject to regulatory approval from Louisiana gaming authorities, and those familiar with similar transitions point out that the 2018 legislation created a structured process for such relocations which includes environmental reviews, zoning considerations, and licensing updates.

As of August 2026 planning documents continue to move through preliminary stages with public input sessions scheduled in the coming months, and experts have observed that securing all necessary permits typically requires 18 to 24 months for projects of this scale in the region.

Industry Context and Operational Transition

This relocation aligns with a broader pattern across Louisiana where operators have pursued land-based facilities under the 2018 statute, and data from previous conversions indicate improved operational efficiency once riverboat limitations are removed, including larger floor plans adn reduced maintenance costs associated with floating structures.

PENN Entertainment operates the Boomtown property through its existing license, and the company plans to transfer gaming operations directly to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans branding while preserving employment levels and supplier relationships throughout the multi-year build period.

Local Economic and Infrastructure Factors

The Harvey location sits within the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, and the shift to an inland site could expand the physical footprint available for parking, hotel integration if future phases are approved, and non-gaming entertainment options that riverboats often cannot accommodate due to space restrictions on water.

Local officials have received preliminary project outlines, and studies conducted for comparable developments in the state show that land-based casinos can generate incremental tax revenue through increased visitation and extended guest stays once amenities such as expanded dining and retail sportsbook areas become available.

Conclusion

The $195 million investment by PENN Entertainment represents a significant capital commitment to modernize the Hollywood Casino New Orleans operation, and the project timeline extending to a 2029 opening allows for phased regulatory compliance and construction sequencing that keeps the existing riverboat functional until the new facility is ready. Observers continue to track the approval process as it progresses through state channels, with final decisions expected to shape how similar transitions unfold elsewhere in Louisiana under the established 2018 framework.