PENN Entertainment Announces Land-Based Hollywood Casino Project for New Orleans Area

Project Details and Investment Scope

PENN Entertainment has outlined plans to invest approximately $195 million in a new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility that would replace the company's existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation in Harvey, Louisiana; the proposed site sits on an adjacent inland parcel, and the move follows the pattern of several operators shifting from riverboat setups to permanent structures under a 2018 Louisiana law that permits such transitions when certain conditions are met. The project remains subject to regulatory approval, yet the company has described a facility that would include around 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional amenities designed to serve both local visitors and regional tourists.

According to the announcement the new casino would open in 2029 once all permits and construction phases are complete, and the timeline aligns with other recent conversions in the state where operators have moved operations ashore to improve accessibility and expand offerings. Observers note that the inland location removes limitations tied to river levels and docking requirements, which have historically affected riverboat venues during certain seasons, while the expanded footprint allows for more flexible floor plans and guest amenities that a vessel cannot easily accommodate.

Industry Context and Regulatory Background

Louisiana enacted the 2018 legislation specifically to allow riverboat casinos to relocate to land-based sites under defined criteria, and several properties across the state have pursued similar changes in the years since; PENN Entertainment's proposal for the New Orleans market represents one of the larger investments in this ongoing shift, and data from state gaming regulators show that land-based facilities often report steadier revenue streams compared with their riverboat predecessors because of reduced weather-related disruptions and improved parking and access. The company currently operates the Boomtown riverboat under a license that would transfer to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans once approvals are secured, and the transition would keep the same number of gaming positions while adding the retail sportsbook component that has become standard in many newer venues.

State officials have indicated that the approval process will involve review by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local zoning authorities in Jefferson Parish, where Harvey is located; the review timeline could extend into 2027 before groundbreaking occurs, yet company representatives have expressed confidence that the project meets all statutory requirements laid out in the 2018 statute. Figures released by PENN Entertainment show the $195 million investment covers land acquisition, construction, gaming equipment, and initial marketing, while the expected 2029 opening allows for phased development that includes infrastructure improvements along the adjacent site.

Expected Features and Market Position

The planned Hollywood Casino New Orleans would feature a retail sportsbook integrated into the main gaming floor, a configuration that mirrors recent additions at other PENN properties and responds to growing demand for in-person sports wagering options following the expansion of legal sports betting across multiple states; dining venues are described in general terms as including casual and upscale choices, and the overall amenity mix is intended to compete with existing land-based casinos in the greater New Orleans region. Those who have tracked similar conversions note that operators often use the move ashore to refresh brand positioning, and the Hollywood name has already been applied to other PENN locations, creating potential for cross-market recognition among frequent visitors.

Construction would occur on the inland parcel next to the current riverboat docking area, allowing the existing Boomtown operation to continue without interruption until the new facility is ready; this approach minimizes revenue gaps during the transition, and state records indicate that comparable projects in Louisiana have maintained continuous licensing by transferring the riverboat authorization directly to the land-based site. The 875 slot machines and 45 table games represent a modest increase in capacity over the current riverboat configuration, while the addition of the sportsbook brings a product line that riverboats have only recently begun to incorporate through temporary or limited setups.

Timeline and Next Steps

As of August 2026 the project remains in the pre-approval stage, with PENN Entertainment preparing formal applications for the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and coordinating with Jefferson Parish planning officials on zoning and environmental reviews; the company has stated that detailed architectural renderings and traffic studies will be submitted as part of the formal process, and public hearings are expected once the applications are deemed complete. The 2029 target opening date accounts for an estimated 24 to 30 months of construction after permits are granted, and company filings suggest that financing will come from a combination of internal capital and existing credit facilities rather than new debt specific to this project.

Local economic development reports have previously highlighted the potential for casino expansions to support nearby hospitality and retail businesses, and the Hollywood Casino New Orleans site sits near major highway corridors that already serve the greater New Orleans metropolitan area; those metrics indicate that an inland location could draw additional day-trip visitors from surrounding parishes who previously found riverboat access less convenient. The transition does not alter the total number of gaming licenses in the state, because the existing Boomtown authorization simply relocates, yet the physical change enables the operator to introduce the sportsbook and expanded dining that were constrained on the riverboat format.

Conclusion

The proposed $195 million investment by PENN Entertainment marks a significant step in the ongoing conversion of Louisiana riverboat casinos to land-based operations, and the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project would introduce a modern facility with expanded amenities while maintaining continuity of the existing license. Regulatory reviews are expected to continue through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, after which construction timelines will determine whether the 2029 opening date remains achievable; the outcome will depend on approvals from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local authorities, yet the framework established by the 2018 law provides a clear pathway for such transitions when statutory conditions are satisfied.