PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Hollywood Casino Plans Near New Orleans

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million in a project that would replace its current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation in Harvey, Louisiana, with a new land-based facility branded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans; the development would sit on an adjacent inland site and remains subject to regulatory approval before moving forward. The company outlined a scope that includes around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional guest amenities, while the timeline points to an expected opening in 2029. Observers note that this move aligns with a broader industry shift permitted under a 2018 Louisiana law that allows riverboat casinos to transition to permanent land-based locations, and the announcement provides concrete details on how one operator intends to execute such a conversion in the New Orleans market.

Project Scope and Site Details

The proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans would occupy space next to the existing riverboat setup, which has operated under the Boomtown name for years; this adjacency allows the company to maintain continuity during the transition while shifting the entire gaming floor and support facilities onto solid ground. Plans call for a modern structure designed to house the specified gaming capacity, with the retail sportsbook positioned as a key feature that reflects current market preferences for integrated sports wagering. Dining venues and other amenities would complement the core gaming elements, creating a self-contained destination that draws from both local residents and visitors traveling through the greater New Orleans area. Because the project sits in Harvey, which lies just across the river from central New Orleans, the location offers convenient access via major roadways and bridges without requiring guests to board a vessel.

Regulatory Path and Industry Context

Any final go-ahead depends on approvals from Louisiana gaming regulators, who must review the inland relocation request under the framework established by the 2018 legislation; that statute opened the door for riverboat operators to move ashore provided they meet specific criteria related to investment, employment, and community impact. PENN Entertainment has positioned the $195 million commitment as the primary financial component of the application, with the 2029 target date allowing time for permitting, design finalization, and construction phases. Those who have followed similar transitions in other Louisiana parishes point out that the process typically involves multiple rounds of public hearings and environmental assessments before licenses are amended or transferred. The company has not disclosed intermediate milestones, yet the public filing of the investment figure signals that internal planning has reached a stage where regulatory engagement can begin in earnest.

Timeline and Construction Considerations

With an opening projected for 2029, the multi-year runway accommodates the detailed engineering work required to build a full-scale land-based casino on previously undeveloped or underutilized parcels adjacent to the river. Construction sequencing would likely begin with site preparation and foundation work, followed by the erection of the main gaming and hospitality structures; once the new facility reaches operational readiness, the riverboat operation could be decommissioned in an orderly manner. Industry data shows that comparable land-based conversions elsewhere in the state have taken between four and six years from announcement to ribbon-cutting, which places the 2029 target within established benchmarks. As of August 2026, the project remains in the pre-construction planning stage, with no ground broken and the focus remaining on securing the necessary permits and finalizing architectural specifications.

Economic and Operational Implications

The shift from a riverboat to a fixed land-based venue typically allows operators to expand square footage, improve accessibility for guests with mobility considerations, and reduce weather-related disruptions that can affect floating facilities. In this specific case, the addition of a dedicated retail sportsbook represents an evolution from the older riverboat model, which operated under more restrictive gaming formats before the 2018 law changes. Employment levels are expected to remain comparable or increase slightly due to the larger physical plant, while tax revenues generated for Jefferson Parish and the state would continue under the same regulatory formulas applied to land-based casinos. Local suppliers and construction firms stand to benefit during the build phase, although the full extent of those contracts will become clearer once bidding processes commence after approvals are granted.

Conclusion

The announcement from PENN Entertainment marks a concrete step toward implementing the 2018 Louisiana statute in teh New Orleans market, with the $195 million investment, 875 slots, 45 table games, sportsbook, and supporting amenities all specified as part of the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project. Regulatory review will determine whether the 2029 opening date holds, yet the details released to date provide a clear blueprint for how the company intends to replace its riverboat operation with a permanent inland facility on the adjacent site in Harvey. Further updates will depend on the pace of permitting and the outcome of any public input sessions required by state gaming authorities.