PENN Entertainment Advances Relocation of New Orleans Gaming Operations to New Land-Based Facility

PENN Entertainment announced plans to invest approximately $195 million to relocate gaming operations from its existing riverboat Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans in Harvey, Louisiana, to a new land-based facility branded Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland site, and this move represents a direct application of state legislation that has reshaped casino placements across Louisiana since 2018.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the project would include around 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining options, and other amenities, with an expected opening in 2029 while the existing hotel would remain open throughout the transition period.

Details of the Proposed Development

The new facility would feature a combination of gaming and non-gaming elements designed to operate on a permanent land-based footprint rather than the riverboat configuration currently in use, and observers note that such shifts allow for expanded floor plans that accommodate the listed machine counts alongside table games and the retail sportsbook component. Construction would take place on an adjacent inland site, which eliminates the need for water-based infrastructure while maintaining proximity to the current location in Harvey, and this adjacency supports continuity for staff and visitors who rely on the established hotel operations that will continue without interruption.

Project specifications list approximately 875 slot machines paired with 45 table games, creating a balanced gaming mix that also incorporates dining venues and additional amenities intended to broaden the overall visitor experience, and data from similar Louisiana conversions indicate these elements often integrate into multi-use developments that extend beyond core gambling functions.

Timeline and Regulatory Path

The expected opening remains set for 2029, which provides a multi-year window for permitting, design finalization, and construction phases, while the announcement itself occurred amid ongoing industry activity in August 2026 that continues to track casino relocation trends statewide. Regulatory approvals stand as the primary prerequisite, with state and local bodies responsible for reviewing the land-based conversion under the framework established by the 2018 legislation that first enabled riverboat operators to pursue onshore sites.

That 2018 law created the legal pathway for these transitions, and PENN Entertainment's proposal follows the pattern already seen with other Louisiana properties that have completed or initiated similar moves, thereby aligning the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project with a documented series of industry adjustments.

Continuity for Hotel and Local Operations

The existing hotel at the Boomtown site would remain open during and after the relocation, preserving lodging capacity and associated services for guests who visit the Harvey area, and this element of the plan ensures that non-gaming revenue streams tied to accommodations continue without the disruptions that sometimes accompany full-site replacements. Local employment patterns would likely see adjustments as gaming operations shift to the new building, yet the retained hotel component offers a stable anchor for workforce retention in the hospitality segment.

Those who have tracked similar projects in Louisiana report that hotel continuity often mitigates short-term economic ripple effects during the construction window leading up to 2029, allowing ancillary businesses that depend on visitor traffic to maintain their operations in parallel with the gaming relocation.

Broader Context Within Louisiana Casino Trends

This announcement fits into a documented sequence of riverboat-to-land conversions that began after the 2018 state law took effect, and figures from regulatory filings show multiple operators have pursued onshore facilities to address operational limitations inherent in floating platforms. The Hollywood Casino New Orleans project specifies a $195 million investment level that covers the full scope of the new structure, including the 875 slot machines, 45 table games, retail sportsbook, and supporting amenities, which collectively define the scale of the planned development.

State oversight bodies will evaluate the application through established channels, and the 2029 target date reflects the time required for environmental reviews, zoning confirmations, and construction milestones that have characterized prior conversions under the same statutory framework. Observers note that adjacency to the current riverboat site minimizes logistical hurdles for equipment transfer and customer access once approvals are secured.

Conclusion

PENN Entertainment's $195 million plan centers on moving gaming operations from the Boomtown riverboat to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans land-based facility, with core elements including 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and dining amenities scheduled for a 2029 debut while the adjacent hotel continues uninterrupted service. The project adheres to the regulatory structure created by the 2018 Louisiana law that has guided similar relocations, and pending approvals will determine the final timeline and design execution. Data from the announcement provides the factual baseline for tracking progress through the multi-year development period ahead.