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

PENN Entertainment has unveiled plans to invest approximately $195 million in relocating its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to a new land-based facility on adjacent inland property in Harvey, Louisiana within Jefferson Parish, and the company intends to rebrand the venue as Hollywood Casino New Orleans while the existing 150-room hotel stays open throughout the transition. The project remains pending regulatory approval, yet it carries an expected opening date in 2029 along with roughly 140,000 to 145,000 square feet of total space that will feature about 875 slot machines plus 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, bars, and a dedicated VIP lounge.

Project Scope and Location Details

Company officials outlined the move from the current riverboat setup to the inland site because the new property sits directly adjacent to the existing hotel operations, which allows the 150-room hotel to continue serving guests without interruption while construction proceeds on the main gaming and entertainment complex, and observers note that this adjacency reduces logistical challenges compared to more distant relocation options.

Data from the announcement shows the facility will occupy between 140,000 and 145,000 square feet once complete, a size that accommodates the planned 875 slot machines and 45 table games plus supporting amenities such as the retail sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and VIP lounge, all positioned to create a cohesive land-based experience rather than the water-based format currently in use.

Timeline and Regulatory Path

Regulatory approval stands as the next required step before groundbreaking can begin, and while the 2029 target date provides a multi-year window for permitting, design finalization, and construction phases, those who track similar projects in Louisiana point out that approvals for gaming expansions often involve reviews by state gaming control boards along with local Jefferson Parish authorities.

The announcement occurred as the company continues operations at the riverboat location, which means the transition will unfold in stages that keep the hotel open and revenue streams active until the new building reaches completion, and figures shared by PENN Entertainment indicate the $195 million investment covers the core relocation and build-out without immediate changes to the hotel component.

Facility Features and Amenities

Inside the new structure visitors will find approximately 875 slot machines paired with 45 table games, while a retail sportsbook offers additional wagering options and the dining and bar areas provide food and beverage service alongside the VIP lounge designed for higher-tier guests, and the overall layout emphasizes a consolidated land-based environment that replaces the riverboat format.

Those who have reviewed the released details note that the square footage allocation supports these core elements without overlap into the hotel footprint, which remains untouched at its current 150 rooms, and the combination creates a self-contained destination that keeps the hotel operational as a separate but connected asset.

Operational Continuity

The existing hotel will stay open during the entire process, which allows current guests and staff routines to continue while the new casino building rises on the adjacent inland parcel, and this approach avoids the need for temporary closures that could affect revenue or employment at the property.

Company statements emphasize that the rebranding to Hollywood Casino New Orleans will apply primarily to the gaming and entertainment portions, leaving the hotel name and services intact, and this separation means the 150-room property functions as a stable anchor even as the riverboat operations shift inland.

Conclusion

PENN Entertainment's announced relocation of Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to the Harvey site represents a measured transition to a land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility scheduled for 2029, with the $195 million investment supporting a 140,000 to 145,000 square foot complex that includes 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining, bars, and a VIP lounge while the 150-room hotel continues uninterrupted operations pending regulatory approval.