PENN Entertainment Announces Major Relocation of Boomtown Casino to New Land-Based Hollywood Facility

PENN Entertainment has outlined plans to invest roughly 195 million dollars in relocating its existing Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation to an entirely new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans property on an adjacent inland site in Harvey, Louisiana within Jefferson Parish, and the move comes with clear specifications for the scale and components of the upcoming venue. The project targets a full transition from the current floating setup to a permanent onshore structure, a shift that aligns directly with permissions established under the state's 2018 legislation allowing such conversions for riverboat casinos.

Scope of the Proposed Development

The new facility is slated to feature approximately 875 slot machines paired with 45 table games, while also incorporating a retail sportsbook, multiple dining venues, and a dedicated VIP lounge, and these elements together form the core of the development that PENN Entertainment has tied to an anticipated opening in 2029 once regulatory clearances are secured.

Construction would take place on land next to the present riverboat location, which means the company can maintain operational continuity during the build phase while preparing the inland site for the expanded customer amenities.

Regulatory Path and Timeline Considerations

Approval from Louisiana gaming regulators remains the key prerequisite before ground can be broken, and the company has framed the entire initiative around compliance with existing state rules that have already enabled similar onshore transitions by other operators in recent years.

Current revenues at the Boomtown riverboat have shown decline according to company reports, which has prompted the decision to pursue the land-based alternative as a means of improving accessibility and overall visitor experience through fixed infrastructure rather than the limitations inherent to a vessel-based operation.

Context Within Louisiana Casino Trends

This announcement continues the pattern of riverboat casinos shifting to permanent land sites that began after the 2018 state law took effect, and PENN Entertainment's project in Jefferson Parish represents one of the larger investments in that ongoing series of moves across the region.

The Harvey location offers direct adjacency to the existing operation, which reduces logistical hurdles for equipment transfer and staff transition while allowing the new Hollywood-branded property to draw from the same established customer base in the greater New Orleans area.

Expected Components and Operational Goals

Officials have specified that the 195 million dollar budget covers the full scope of building the land-based casino along with its associated food and beverage outlets plus the VIP lounge, and the design emphasizes enhanced comfort and convenience compared with the constraints of the current riverboat layout.

Once operational the property would operate under the Hollywood Casino brand, maintaining the gaming mix of slots and tables while adding the retail sportsbook as a distinct revenue stream that reflects broader industry shifts toward sports wagering integration.

Conclusion

The relocation project stands as a direct response to market conditions at the existing Boomtown site, and it positions PENN Entertainment to deliver a modernized gaming and entertainment destination in Harvey by the target date of 2029 pending the necessary state approvals. The details released so far focus strictly on the investment amount, game counts, amenities, and location, all of which remain subject to the regulatory process outlined in the 2018 legislation.