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

PENN Entertainment has outlined a $195 million project to move its existing riverboat casino operation from the Mississippi River to a new inland location in Harvey, Louisiana, and the company expects the transition to create a full-scale destination that opens in 2029 once all regulatory steps clear. The relocation keeps the operation inside Jefferson Parish while shifting it from a floating vessel to a permanent structure on an adjacent site, a change that aligns with the framework established by Louisiana’s 2018 legislation allowing riverboat casinos to move ashore.

Project Scope and Investment Breakdown

The company will direct roughly $195 million toward construction and development of the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and that figure covers the build-out of the land-based facility plus the supporting infrastructure needed to operate on the inland parcel. Observers note the investment represents a significant commitment to the Jefferson Parish market, where the current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat has long served visitors arriving by water or by road.

Because the new site sits adjacent to the existing riverboat berth, the move minimizes disruption to daily operations during the construction phase, and crews can maintain service on the vessel until the land-based building reaches completion. The timeline calls for the facility to open in 2029, subject to approvals from state gaming regulators and local authorities.

Facility Features and Amenities

Once open, the Hollywood Casino New Orleans will house approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, and the floor plan also includes a retail sportsbook designed for on-site wagering. Additional offerings will encompass multiple dining venues plus other guest amenities that typically accompany a full-service casino resort, such as bars, entertainment space, and hotel accommodations carried over from the existing operation.

The land-based configuration allows for expanded square footage compared with the riverboat layout, and that extra room gives designers flexibility to arrange gaming areas, food outlets, and circulation paths in ways that improve guest flow. teh move ashore also removes certain operational constraints tied to the vessel’s marine requirements, which can simplify maintenance schedules and utility connections.

Regulatory Path and 2029 Target

State law passed in 2018 created the pathway for riverboat operators to relocate inland, and PENN Entertainment’s application will follow the established review process administered by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. The company has stated that the 2029 opening remains conditional on securing all necessary permits and licenses, a sequence that typically involves public hearings, environmental assessments, and compliance checks at both state and parish levels.

Because the project sits inside Jefferson Parish, local zoning and planning commissions will also examine the site plan, and those reviews run in parallel with the state gaming approval timeline. Company filings indicate that construction cannot begin until the full set of authorizations is in place, which places the 2029 date several years after the initial announcement.

Operational Continuity During Transition

Throughout the relocation period the Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat will continue normal operations, and management has emphasized that staff and vendors will transition to the new facility once it is ready. The adjacent location means employees can remain in the same geographic area, and the company expects minimal changes to the existing workforce structure.

The shift from riverboat to land-based status also changes certain insurance and safety protocols, yet the core gaming license and regulatory oversight remain under the same state framework. PENN Entertainment has indicated that the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will retain the brand identity already familiar to local patrons while introducing updated facilities that reflect current design standards for land-based properties.

Conclusion

The $195 million investment in the Hollywood Casino New Orleans marks a concrete step in PENN Entertainment’s long-term strategy for its Louisiana holdings, and the 2029 opening date will depend on the pace of regulatory approvals. The project converts an established riverboat operation into a modern land-based destination featuring 875 slots, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and expanded dining options on an inland site in Harvey. All details remain subject to final licensing decisions, and further updates will follow as the review process advances.