PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Hollywood Casino Project in Harvey Louisiana

PENN Entertainment has outlined a $195 million investment to convert its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation into a permanent land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility on an adjacent inland parcel in Harvey Louisiana and the company expects the new property to open in 2029 once regulators complete their review.

The project will feature 875 slot machines along with 45 table games a dedicated sportsbook and multiple dining options plus additional guest amenities while the move follows the pattern of several other riverboat-to-land conversions that became possible after Louisiana passed enabling legislation in 2018.

Project Scope and Site Details

Engineers and planners have selected a site directly beside the current riverboat docking area so that the transition can minimize disruption for existing patrons while crews prepare the inland parcel for construction and state gaming officials have already begun preliminary discussions about the required approvals.

Observers familiar with similar projects note that the shift from water-based to land-based operations typically allows operators to expand square footage improve accessibility and add non-gaming attractions that riverboats cannot easily accommodate and PENN Entertainment has indicated the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will incorporate those advantages from day one.

Regulatory Timeline and 2026 Milestones

Company filings show that formal applications will move through the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local parish authorities over the coming months with initial hearings scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026; by August 2026 the project team anticipates receiving key environmental and zoning clearances that would clear the path for groundbreaking later that year.

Those same filings list 2029 as the target opening date because the construction sequence includes foundation work utility upgrades and interior fit-out phases that together require roughly three years once permits are secured.

Revenue Context and Operational Shift

Financial reports released by PENN Entertainment indicate that the existing Boomtown riverboat has experienced declining revenues in recent quarters prompting the decision to relocate operations to a more flexible land-based venue where customer flow and amenity offerings can be expanded and the company has stated that the $195 million outlay is expected to reverse that trend once the new facility becomes operational.

Industry analysts tracking Louisiana gaming data have documented similar patterns at other properties that completed land-based conversions after the 2018 law took effect and those conversions consistently produced higher visitor counts and improved per-visitor spending once the properties eliminated water-based access limitations.

Broader Industry Trend

State records confirm that at least four other riverboat casinos in Louisiana have already received approval to move inland since the 2018 statute and each of those moves incorporated expanded gaming floors larger food-and-beverage footprints and integrated sportsbooks that mirror the features PENN Entertainment has outlined for the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project.

Because the Harvey site sits adjacent to the current riverboat the transition can occur with minimal interruption to employment levels and local tax contributions and parish officials have expressed support for the project on the grounds that it preserves jobs while adding long-term infrastructure improvements.

Conclusion

Once regulatory approval is secured PENN Entertainment plans to begin site preparation in 2026 with the goal of delivering the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans property by 2029 and the $195 million investment will replace the aging riverboat operation with a modern land-based venue that aligns with the operational model now common across the state.