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

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million to replace its existing 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 subject to regulatory approval the project will feature around 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook along with dining options and additional amenities while the expected opening stands set for 2029.

This development marks the company's fourth such riverboat-to-landside relocation, and it aligns with a broader Louisiana industry trend that gained momentum after a 2018 state law permitted onshore shifts for gaming operations. The move comes as riverboat casinos across the state evaluate opportunities to transition to more stable land-based structures that can expand offerings and improve guest access during varying weather conditions.

Project Details and Timeline

The new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will occupy an adjacent inland site next to the current riverboat location, which allows construction to proceed without interrupting ongoing operations at the existing facility, and once complete the venue will provide a permanent structure that eliminates the limitations associated with riverboat gaming such as size constraints and vulnerability to river conditions. Observers note that this approach mirrors previous successful relocations completed by the company in other markets where land-based facilities delivered expanded floor space and modern amenities.

Regulatory approval remains a required step before groundbreaking can begin, yet the company has already outlined key components including the specified gaming positions and dining venues, while the 2029 target date provides a multi-year window for planning, permitting and construction phases that typically accompany large-scale casino developments of this scope.

Context Within Louisiana Gaming Landscape

The 2018 legislation opened pathways for riverboat operators to pursue land-based alternatives, and several properties have since pursued similar transitions that reflect evolving industry preferences for fixed structures over floating vessels. PENN Entertainment's decision to pursue this relocation in Harvey positions the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans as part of that ongoing shift, and data from state regulatory filings indicate that land-based facilities have recorded higher average revenues compared with riverboat counterparts in comparable markets.

Industry reports show that the fourth relocation for PENN Entertainment builds on prior projects where the company successfully converted riverboat assets into land-based destinations, and each case demonstrated measurable increases in visitation and gaming revenue following the transition. The Harvey site benefits from its proximity to the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, which supplies a steady regional customer base that can access the facility via established roadways rather than relying on river access points.

Broader Industry Implications

Analysts tracking Louisiana gaming have documented a pattern where operators cite operational flexibility and expanded entertainment options as primary drivers behind land-based conversions, and the PENN Entertainment announcement follows that established rationale. The project will introduce a retail sportsbook as part of the new facility, which aligns with growing demand for sports wagering integrated into casino environments across multiple states.

Construction timelines for similar projects in the region have typically spanned three to four years from approval through opening, and the 2029 target accounts for potential delays related to permitting reviews and supply chain factors that have affected large infrastructure builds in recent years. State officials continue to monitor these developments because each relocation requires separate licensing processes that ensure compliance with existing gaming regulations.

Conclusion

The planned investment by PENN Entertainment represents a significant capital commitment to the Harvey market, and once operational the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will deliver expanded gaming and entertainment options under a land-based model permitted by the 2018 state law. Regulatory reviews will determine the final timeline, yet the announcement underscores continued momentum for riverboat-to-landside transitions throughout Louisiana's gaming sector.