PENN Entertainment Advances Land-Based Casino Project in Jefferson Parish

PENN Entertainment has announced plans to invest roughly 195 million dollars in relocating its existing Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to a new land-based venue on adjacent property in Harvey Louisiana and the company will rebrand the property as Hollywood Casino New Orleans once the move is complete.

The relocation remains subject to regulatory approval while construction and development work are slated to produce an opening in 2029 and the facility will encompass between 140000 and 145000 square feet of total space that includes approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games a retail sportsbook multiple dining options and additional guest amenities.

Details of the Proposed Development

Under the current timeline the project will transition the riverboat casino from its present location on the Mississippi River to a permanent onshore site in Jefferson Parish and this shift follows the framework established by a 2018 Louisiana statute that permits riverboat operators to move their gaming floors to land-based facilities under specific conditions. Observers note that the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will maintain the core gaming capacity of the existing operation while expanding the overall footprint to accommodate retail and hospitality elements that are not feasible on a vessel.

Construction will focus on a single integrated building that houses the slot floor table games area and supporting amenities and the design calls for direct access from major roadways serving the Harvey area which lies just across the river from New Orleans proper. Data from the announcement indicates that the 195 million dollar investment covers land preparation structural work gaming equipment procurement and initial marketing efforts required to launch the rebranded property.

Regulatory Pathway and Timeline

State and local gaming regulators must review and approve the relocation before ground can be broken and the process is expected to involve environmental assessments traffic studies and public hearings typical for large-scale development projects in Louisiana. PENN Entertainment has stated that it will work closely with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Jefferson Parish officials to address all compliance requirements ahead of the targeted 2029 opening.

Because the 2018 law already cleared the legal pathway for such moves the regulatory focus will likely center on site-specific permits rather than the principle of onshore gaming itself and the company has indicated confidence that approvals can be secured within the coming years to keep the project on schedule.

Strategic Context for PENN Entertainment

The Harvey relocation forms part of a broader pattern in which PENN Entertainment has pursued similar onshore conversions at other riverboat properties across its portfolio and the strategy seeks to replace aging vessels with modern land-based facilities that offer greater operational flexibility and enhanced guest experiences. According to the company's investor release the move aligns with ongoing efforts to optimize real estate assets and capture additional revenue streams through expanded non-gaming amenities.

Current operations at Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans will continue uninterrupted during the planning and construction phases and the company has not announced any interim changes to staffing levels or service offerings at the riverboat location. Figures released alongside the announcement show that the new facility will preserve the existing number of gaming positions while adding dedicated space for sports betting and food and beverage outlets that can operate year-round without the constraints of a floating structure.

Local Economic and Infrastructure Considerations

Jefferson Parish officials have received the proposal and will evaluate its impact on traffic patterns public services and tourism flows once detailed plans are submitted and the project is projected to generate construction jobs during the build phase followed by permanent employment opportunities at the completed casino and hotel. The 140000 to 145000 square foot development will occupy land directly adjacent to the current riverboat berth which simplifies logistics for moving equipment and staff between the old and new sites.

Because the site sits within an established gaming market the transition is expected to maintain continuity for existing patrons while attracting new visitors through updated facilities and marketing tied to the Hollywood Casino brand name. The retail sportsbook component will operate under existing state regulations that govern sports wagering in Louisiana and will be integrated into the main gaming floor rather than housed in a separate structure.

Conclusion

The planned investment and relocation represent a measured step in PENN Entertainment's long-term asset modernization program and the 2029 target date provides a clear benchmark against which progress can be measured once regulatory reviews begin. All elements of the project from square footage counts to gaming device totals remain subject to final approvals yet the core framework outlined in the announcement supplies a factual basis for understanding how the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will take shape in Harvey Louisiana.