PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Land-Based Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project

PENN Entertainment announced on August 17, 2026 its plan to invest roughly 195 million dollars in relocating the riverboat Boomtown Casino New Orleans from Harvey, Louisiana to a new land-based venue branded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and the project centers on constructing a 140,000-square-foot facility that will sit adjacent to the existing hotel while the riverboat itself will be vacated once operations shift.

The new casino is slated to open in 2029 pending regulatory approval and will include approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, a VIP lounge, and multiple dining options that together aim to expand the range of amenities available at the site.

Project Specifications and Timeline

Construction will replace the floating riverboat setup with a permanent structure that offers greater flexibility for layout and guest services, since land-based facilities can accommodate larger footprints and integrated features without the spatial constraints of a vessel, and the company has positioned the move as a direct response to evolving market conditions in teh region where similar transitions have occurred in recent years.

Observers note that the 140,000-square-foot building will consolidate gaming, hospitality, and entertainment under one roof next to the hotel, which already serves visitors and could see increased utilization once the casino relocates; the timeline from announcement in August 2026 through a 2029 opening allows for permitting, design finalization, and construction phases that typically span several years for projects of this scale.

Context Within Louisiana Gaming Trends

This development follows a broader pattern in Louisiana where riverboat casinos have transitioned to shore-based locations to increase capacity and diversify offerings, and data from the riverboat gaming revenues report shows continued interest in such adaptations as operators seek to boost overall revenues through expanded facilities.

The vacated riverboat at the Harvey site will no longer host gaming operations once the land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans begins service, which frees up the waterway location while concentrating activity at the hotel-adjacent property that already draws regional visitors.

Regulatory and Operational Considerations

Regulatory approval remains a prerequisite for the relocation, and PENN Entertainment has outlined the specific gaming elements including the slot count, table games, and sportsbook as part of its submission process; state gaming authorities will review the plans before construction can proceed in full.

Those who track Louisiana casino operations point out that the shift from riverboat to land allows for year-round accessibility without weather-related disruptions that sometimes affect floating venues, and the addition of a dedicated VIP lounge plus varied dining options represents an effort to create a more comprehensive destination that combines gaming with extended stays at the adjacent hotel.

Economic and Infrastructure Impacts

The 195 million dollar investment is expected to support construction jobs during the build phase and permanent positions once the facility opens, while the larger square footage compared to the riverboat enables more gaming positions and ancillary services that could draw additional foot traffic from the greater New Orleans area and beyond.

Because the new casino will operate next to the existing hotel, synergies between lodging and gaming become more straightforward to manage, and the overall layout supports integrated experiences where guests can move between rooms, the sportsbook, table games, and dining without leaving the property complex.

Conclusion

The August 17, 2026 announcement by PENN Entertainment marks a concrete step toward modernizing the Boomtown Casino New Orleans operation through relocation to a land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans that features expanded amenities and a larger physical plant, with the 2029 target date providing the necessary window for approvals and construction to unfold. The project aligns with ongoing shifts in Louisiana's casino landscape where operators have pursued shore-based facilities to enhance capacity and revenue potential, and the specific elements outlined including 875 slots, 45 tables, a retail sportsbook, VIP lounge, and dining venues reflect the scope of what the new venue will deliver once operational.