PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for Hollywood Casino New Orleans
Alex Neumann · Aug 19, 2026
PENN Entertainment Advances Plans for Hollywood Casino 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 to be branded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and this development remains subject to regulatory approval while following the pattern set by a 2018 state law that permits riverboat casinos to move onshore.
Project Scope and Features
The proposed facility would include around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional amenities designed to serve visitors in the greater New Orleans area, while the move from the existing riverboat setup aims to provide a more permanent structure that aligns with updated state regulations allowing such relocations.
Observers note that the 2018 law opened pathways for operators to transition operations from water-based vessels to fixed locations, and PENN Entertainment's announcement fits directly into that framework without introducing new policy elements. The company expects the project to reach completion and open to the public in 2029, pending the necessary approvals from state gaming authorities.
Background on the Relocation Trend
Since the passage of the 2018 legislation, several casino operators across Louisiana have pursued similar onshore transitions, yet each project proceeds on its own timeline and under separate regulatory reviews. PENN Entertainment's plan for the Harvey site represents one specific instance of this broader movement, focused solely on replacing the riverboat with a land-based Hollywood-branded property that maintains the same gaming capacity parameters outlined in the announcement.
Timeline and Regulatory Path
Regulatory approval stands as the next required step before construction can begin, and company statements indicate that the process will involve coordination with Louisiana gaming regulators who oversee licensing and compliance for such developments. The expected 2029 opening date provides a multi-year window during which design, permitting, and building phases would unfold in sequence.
Data from industry tracking sources shows that similar projects in the state have followed comparable multi-year schedules from announcement through opening, and the PENN Entertainment initiative follows the same pattern of phased implementation. The investment figure of approximately $195 million covers the full scope of replacing the riverboat operation with the new facility, including all listed gaming and amenity components.
Operational Details at the Harvey Location
The current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans operates as a riverboat facility on the Harvey site, and the planned replacement would shift all gaming activity to the land-based structure while retaining the location's accessibility for regional visitors. The new Hollywood Casino New Orleans would feature the specified mix of 875 slot machines and 45 table games, plus the retail sportsbook and dining venues, creating a consolidated entertainment destination that meets the requirements set forth in the 2018 onshore relocation statute.
Those familiar with Louisiana gaming operations note that such transitions allow operators to enhance guest experiences through expanded amenities that are more readily accommodated in permanent buildings compared to vessel-based setups. The announcement from PENN Entertainment specifies that the project remains contingent on receiving all required approvals, which keeps the focus on the regulatory process ahead of any physical construction.
Conclusion
The announcement by PENN Entertainment outlines a clear path for transitioning the Boomtown riverboat operation to the land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans, complete with defined investment amounts, gaming offerings, and an anticipated 2029 opening date. This single project adheres strictly to the parameters established under the 2018 state law, and further developments will depend on the outcome of the regulatory review process.