PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for Hollywood Casino New Orleans Relocation

PENN Entertainment has outlined a $195 million project to shift its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations onto land in Harvey, Louisiana, within Jefferson Parish, and the move carries a new name as Hollywood Casino New Orleans once complete. The company released details showing the facility will occupy between 140,000 and 145,000 square feet and feature roughly 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining outlets, and supporting amenities, with construction targeted for a 2029 opening pending regulatory clearance. The relocation builds directly on a 2018 Louisiana statute that permits riverboat casinos to transition to permanent onshore sites, and company filings confirm this step aligns with similar onshore moves already completed or underway at other PENN properties. Local officials in Jefferson Parish have received the proposal for review, and the project site sits on land immediately adjacent to the current riverboat mooring, which reduces infrastructure changes while expanding the overall footprint.

Project Specifications and Development Scope

Under the announced blueprint the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will consolidate all gaming adn hospitality functions into a single land-based structure rather than maintaining separate vessel and dock operations. The design calls for expanded guest circulation areas, additional parking capacity, and integrated food and beverage venues that together replace the space constraints typical of riverboat layouts. PENN has indicated the investment covers land acquisition, site preparation, building construction, and equipment installation, with the total figure set at approximately $195 million.

Slot machine counts are projected at 875 units while table games will number 45, figures that maintain parity with current Boomtown offerings yet allow for future adjustments once the larger facility opens. The retail sportsbook component introduces a dedicated wagering area that was not previously emphasized at the riverboat location, and planners have allocated space for multiple dining concepts ranging from casual to full-service options. Observers familiar with similar projects note that the square footage range of 140,000 to 145,000 provides flexibility for phased interior build-outs without requiring further land expansion.

Regulatory Timeline and Approval Process

State and parish regulators must complete environmental, zoning, and gaming license reviews before groundbreaking can begin, and company statements project the full approval sequence will conclude in time for a 2029 debut. The 2018 law established the legal pathway for such relocations, yet each individual application still undergoes site-specific scrutiny that includes traffic studies, flood mitigation plans, and community impact assessments. PENN has already submitted preliminary documentation to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Jefferson Parish planning authorities, setting the stage for public hearings expected in the coming months.

Because the new site lies directly beside the existing riverboat berth, the transition can occur without relocating gaming equipment long distances or disrupting service during the final construction phases. Company representatives have emphasized that current employees will receive priority consideration for positions at the expanded venue, and training programs are scheduled to begin once permits are secured. The August 2026 milestone referenced in some regional planning calendars refers to teh anticipated completion of preliminary engineering reviews rather than any operational change, keeping the project on track toward the later 2029 opening date.

Strategic Context Within PENN Entertainment Operations

This Harvey relocation continues a pattern of onshore conversions that PENN has pursued across multiple states, each time replacing older riverboat infrastructure with modern land-based buildings that support higher guest volumes and diversified amenities. Financial disclosures show the company has allocated capital expenditures for similar projects at properties in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, indicating a consistent approach to facility modernization. The rebranding to Hollywood Casino New Orleans aligns the property with PENN’s national portfolio of Hollywood-branded venues, which already operate under unified marketing and loyalty program structures.

According to the official release available at PENN’s investor site, the move is expected to improve operational efficiency by eliminating ongoing riverboat maintenance costs while increasing overall square footage available for revenue-generating activities. Additional coverage from industry trackers at World Casino Directory confirms the $195 million budget and 2029 timeline without noting any deviations from the submitted plans.

Local Economic and Infrastructure Considerations

Jefferson Parish economic development documents list the project as a significant capital investment that could support construction employment for several years and permanent hospitality jobs once operations commence. Traffic modeling included in the application anticipates modest increases in daily vehicle counts along nearby corridors, prompting proposed road improvements funded jointly by the company and parish authorities. Flood elevation requirements for the new structure exceed those applied to the original riverboat, reflecting updated parish building codes implemented after recent storm seasons.

The 2018 legislation that enabled onshore relocation also established revenue-sharing formulas that remain unchanged under the current proposal, so local tax receipts from gaming activity are projected to stay consistent with historical levels while the expanded facility potentially broadens the overall visitor base. Site plans submitted to regulators include dedicated space for future hotel expansion, although no immediate construction timeline for lodging additions has been released.

Conclusion

The Hollywood Casino New Orleans project represents a measured transition from riverboat to land-based operations under established state law, with PENN Entertainment committing $195 million to a 140,000–145,000 square foot facility scheduled for 2029. Regulatory reviews continue through 2026 engineering milestones, and the rebranded property will retain core gaming capacity while adding sportsbook and dining elements. All details remain subject to final approvals from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Jefferson Parish authorities, keeping the development timeline and scope aligned with the company’s initial announcement.