Louisiana Casinos Shift Inland as PENN Entertainment Unveils Hollywood Casino New Orleans Plans

PENN Entertainment has announced a $195 million investment to move its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation from Harvey, Louisiana, to a new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland site, and the project remains subject to regulatory approval while targeting a 2029 opening with roughly 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining venues, and additional amenities. Observers note that this development follows a pattern established after Louisiana passed a 2018 state law that enabled riverboat casinos to relocate ashore under specific conditions, and several properties across the state have since pursued similar transitions to improve accessibility and expand facilities.

Project Scope and Site Details

The relocation keeps the operation within the same general area of Harvey yet moves it off the water entirely, which eliminates riverboat-specific operational constraints such as vessel size limits and docking requirements while allowing for a larger, more flexible building footprint on stable ground, and company statements indicate the new structure will feature expanded gaming floors alongside non-gaming attractions designed to draw both local visitors and tourists traveling along major corridors near New Orleans. Data from the announcement shows the planned gaming mix includes approximately 875 slot machines paired with 45 table games plus a dedicated retail sportsbook, and these elements combine with dining options that range from casual eateries to more upscale restaurants, creating a multi-purpose destination expected to operate year-round without the seasonal or weather-related interruptions sometimes faced by riverboat venues.

Regulatory Path and Statewide Context

Approval from Louisiana gaming regulators will determine whether the project advances on schedule, and the process typically involves review of site plans, financial commitments, and compliance with the 2018 relocation statute that first opened the door for such moves, while PENN Entertainment has stated it will work closely with state and local authorities throughout the permitting phase. Several other Louisiana riverboat operators have completed or begun similar transitions since the law changed, and industry reports track these shifts as part of a broader modernization effort that replaces floating casinos with permanent structures offering greater square footage and improved guest amenities.

Timeline Leading to 2029 Opening

Construction timelines point toward a 2029 debut once approvals clear, and preliminary work such as site preparation and design finalization is expected to begin after regulatory milestones are met, whereas the current riverboat will continue normal operations until the new facility is ready for transition. August 2026 updates from company filings show planning documents remain in active development with engineering studies underway, and those involved in the project emphasize that the move represents a long-term capital commitment rather than a short-term adjustment, and figures for comparable relocations in Louisiana indicate construction phases lasting 24 to 36 months once ground is broken.

Economic and Operational Considerations

The new land-based site offers advantages in parking capacity, building height flexibility, and integration of retail and entertainment spaces that riverboats cannot easily accommodate, and analysts tracking Louisiana gaming note that properties making the move have often reported increased visitation after opening on solid ground. Statewide gross gaming revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, reached approximately $1.9 billion across all venues, and Boomtown's monthly visitor counts have ranged between 60,000 and 70,000 in recent periods, providing a baseline against which the expanded Hollywood Casino New Orleans can be measured once operational.

Conclusion

The relocation project consolidates PENN Entertainment's presence in the New Orleans market through a single, purpose-built facility that replaces the riverboat model with a land-based operation aligned with the 2018 statutory framework, and completion in 2029 will mark another step in Louisiana's ongoing evolution of its casino landscape.