PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Shift for Boomtown Casino New Orleans

PENN Entertainment announced on August 17, 2026 its plan to invest roughly $195 million in relocating the riverboat Boomtown Casino New Orleans from Harvey, Louisiana to a new land-based site; the move will rebrand the property as Hollywood Casino New Orleans while vacating the current vessel once operations transfer. The 140,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in 2029 adjacent to the existing hotel, and it will house approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, a VIP lounge, and multiple dining options, all subject to regulatory approval before construction begins.

Project Scope and Timeline

Developers will position the new structure on land that already supports the hotel complex, which allows direct integration of casino floor space with guest amenities without requiring additional waterfront infrastructure. Construction is expected to span roughly three years once permits clear state and local review processes, and the timeline aligns with similar conversions completed by other operators in Louisiana over the past decade.

After the land-based venue opens, the riverboat itself will cease gaming operations and become available for alternative uses or sale, a step that removes ongoing maintenance costs associated with maintaining a floating vessel in the Mississippi River channel.

Regulatory Path Forward

State gaming regulators must review and approve the relocation before ground can be broken, and local zoning officials in Jefferson Parish will also examine site plans for compliance with existing ordinances. PENN Entertainment has indicated it will submit formal applications in the coming months, with public hearings likely to occur as part of the standard review sequence.

Observers note that previous riverboat-to-land conversions in Louisiana received approvals after operators demonstrated increased tax revenue projections and expanded employment opportunities for the surrounding communities.

Industry Context in Louisiana

Louisiana has seen multiple riverboat operators transition to land-based facilities in recent years because permanent structures allow larger gaming floors, more restaurant and entertainment options, and easier access for visitors who prefer not to board a vessel. Data from the riverboat gaming revenues report shows that properties which completed similar moves recorded measurable increases in annual handle and visitor counts once the land-based venues opened.

The Boomtown relocation follows this established pattern, and company filings emphasize that the larger footprint will support a retail sportsbook plus dedicated VIP areas that the current riverboat configuration cannot accommodate at the same scale.

Economic and Employment Considerations

Company statements project that the expanded facility will create additional construction jobs during the build phase and permanent positions once the casino opens, although exact figures remain subject to final design and operational planning. Local economic development agencies have historically tracked job gains from comparable projects in the region, and those records indicate net employment growth after riverboats moved ashore.

Tax revenue streams to state and parish governments are also expected to rise because land-based casinos typically generate higher win per square foot than their floating predecessors, a pattern documented across multiple Louisiana properties that completed conversions before 2026.

Conclusion

The August 17, 2026 announcement marks the latest step in PENN Entertainment’s strategy to modernize its Louisiana holdings, and the project will replace the riverboat Boomtown Casino New Orleans with a 140,000-square-foot land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans featuring 875 slots, 45 tables, a sportsbook, and expanded dining. Pending regulatory clearance, the new venue is slated to open in 2029 next to the existing hotel, after which the riverboat will be decommissioned from gaming use. The initiative aligns with ongoing shifts among Louisiana casino operators seeking larger facilities and diversified amenities on land rather than water.