PENN Entertainment Unveils $195 Million Plan for New Hollywood Casino New Orleans

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million in a project that replaces 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 the move aligns with a 2018 Louisiana law that permits riverboat casinos to transition ashore once regulatory approvals clear.

The company outlined a facility that would feature around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional amenities designed to serve visitors in the greater New Orleans market, while the project carries an expected opening date in 2029 pending necessary state and local clearances.

Current Operations and Site Details

Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans currently operates as a riverboat casino on the Harvey Canal, and PENN Entertainment has operated the property for several years as part of its regional gaming portfolio in Louisiana, yet the new land-based venue would sit on an inland parcel directly adjacent to the existing location, allowing the company to maintain its established market presence while shifting away from the water-based format.

Observers note that the relocation keeps the casino within the same general area of Jefferson Parish, which supports continuity for employees and local suppliers, and the project description indicates that the new structure would incorporate modern gaming floors and guest amenities without requiring players to board a vessel.

Facility Specifications and Amenities

The proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans would include approximately 875 slot machines and 45 table games, creating a gaming layout that reflects current industry sizing for similar regional properties, while a retail sportsbook would provide additional wagering options tied to major sporting events. Dining venues and other guest services would round out the offering, and the overall design targets a full-service experience that combines gaming with food and entertainment under one roof.

Project documents list these elements as core components, and the scale of the investment signals an intent to deliver upgraded infrastructure compared with the riverboat configuration, which operates under space and access constraints inherent to vessel-based operations.

Regulatory Pathway and Timeline

Completion of the project remains subject to regulatory approval from Louisiana gaming authorities, and the company has indicated that the process will involve standard reviews for licensing, site development, and compliance with state gaming statutes, while the 2018 law provides the legal framework that enables riverboat operators to pursue inland locations under defined conditions.

An opening targeted for 2029 allows time for permitting, construction, and any required public hearings, and company statements frame the schedule as realistic given the scope of work and the need to coordinate with multiple oversight bodies, yet no firm groundbreaking date has been released at this stage.

Industry Context and Legal Framework

The announcement follows a broader industry trend in Louisiana where operators have moved riverboat casinos ashore under provisions of the 2018 legislation, and several properties across the state have already completed or announced similar transitions that eliminate the requirement for vessels while preserving gaming licenses and local tax contributions. PENN Entertainment's plan for the Hollywood Casino New Orleans fits within this pattern, as the company seeks to modernize its New Orleans-area asset while remaining in Harvey.

Data from state records show that land-based configurations often provide operational efficiencies and expanded amenity space compared with riverboats, and the move reflects ongoing adaptation by gaming companies to regulatory changes that have reshaped the Louisiana market since the law took effect.

Employment and Economic Considerations

The project description does not specify exact employment figures, yet the construction phase and eventual operations would generate activity for contractors, vendors, and casino staff in Jefferson Parish, and local officials have historically viewed such developments as contributors to regional tax bases through gaming revenue shares and property assessments. The transition from riverboat to land-based operations maintains the property's existing workforce footprint while potentially creating new roles tied to expanded facilities.

Company communications emphasize that the investment supports long-term presence in the market, and the choice of an adjacent site minimizes disruption to current gaming activity during the planning and approval stages.

Conclusion

PENN Entertainment's $195 million commitment to develop the land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans represents a direct application of the 2018 Louisiana law that opened the door for riverboat operators to relocate inland, and the planned facility with its specified gaming, sportsbook, and dining components is set for a 2029 debut once approvals are secured. The project keeps operations in Harvey while shifting to a modern format that aligns with statewide trends in casino development.