PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Onshore Relocation of Boomtown Casino Operations
Vera Reed · Aug 20, 2026
PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Onshore Relocation of Boomtown Casino Operations
PENN Entertainment has outlined a plan to invest approximately $195 million in a shift that would take gaming operations from the riverboat Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans in Harvey, Louisiana, to a new land-based facility called Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and the move targets an adjacent inland site that keeps the project close to its current location.
Project Specifications and Scope
The proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans would feature around 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional guest amenities once regulatory approvals clear, while the existing hotel tower stays in operation without interruption during or after construction. Observers note that this configuration maintains continuity for overnight visitors even as the gaming floor transitions from water to land, and the design aligns with broader patterns seen across Louisiana since the 2018 state law opened pathways for riverboat operators to pursue onshore locations.
Regulatory Pathway and Timeline
Completion remains contingent on approvals from state and local gaming regulators, and PENN Entertainment has projected an opening in 2029 provided those steps proceed on schedule. The company has indicated that planning phases will include environmental reviews and community consultations typical for projects of this scale, and data from similar relocations in the state show that such processes often span multiple years before ground breaks. Those who have tracked Louisiana gaming developments point out that the 2018 legislation created a structured route for these transitions, allowing operators to replace floating vessels with permanent structures while preserving existing licenses and tax frameworks.
Industry reports indicate that several other riverboat properties in Louisiana have already completed or begun comparable moves, and the PENN project adds another chapter to that sequence without altering the overall number of gaming positions authorized in the market. The adjacent inland parcel reduces logistical hurdles compared with sites farther from the original operation, and this proximity supports retention of the current workforce during the eventual transition.
Operational Continuity Measures
Throughout the development period the Boomtown riverboat will continue normal operations, which means revenue streams and guest services remain intact until the new facility is ready, and the hotel will function as a standalone asset afterward. Planners have emphasized that the project avoids any gap in hotel availability, and this approach mirrors strategies used in earlier Louisiana conversions where properties maintained lodging revenue while gaming infrastructure was rebuilt onshore. Figures from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board show steady visitor counts at facilities that have completed similar shifts, and those statistics suggest minimal long-term disruption once the new venues open.
Market Context and Precedents
Louisiana's 2018 law permitted riverboat casinos to relocate to land-based sites within certain geographic limits, and multiple operators have since pursued those options to reduce weather-related risks and improve accessibility. The Boomtown relocation follows that established pattern, and PENN Entertainment's choice of the Hollywood brand continues the company's practice of aligning properties with recognizable national names. According to the project announcement, the investment covers construction, equipment, and site preparation while leaving the hotel component unchanged.
Local economic analyses have tracked employment and tax contributions from the existing Boomtown operation, and the new facility is expected to sustain those levels once operational. The retail sportsbook addition introduces expanded betting options that were not part of the riverboat setup, and this feature reflects evolving consumer preferences documented in recent state gaming reports. Construction timelines indicate that major work would begin after final permits, with phased build-out allowing for testing of systems ahead of the 2029 target date.
Conclusion
The relocation plan centers on a $195 million investment that moves gaming from the Boomtown riverboat to a land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans while preserving the hotel and meeting the 2029 opening goal subject to approvals, and the project continues the onshore transition trend enabled by Louisiana's 2018 legislation. Details on slot and table game counts, along with the addition of a retail sportsbook and dining amenities, define the scope of the new venue, and ongoing operations at the current site ensure continuity through the development period.