PENN Entertainment Outlines $195 Million Plan for New Land-Based Hollywood Casino in Harvey
PENN Entertainment has detailed plans to invest roughly 195 million dollars in a project that will replace its current Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation with a new land-based facility called Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland site in Harvey, Louisiana, and this move follows the pattern established by a 2018 state law that permits riverboat casinos to transition onshore when certain conditions are met.
Project Scope and Components
The proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans will feature approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining options, and additional amenities designed to serve visitors, while the entire development remains subject to regulatory approval before construction can advance toward the targeted opening in 2029. The company has positioned the relocation as a step that supports improved operational flow and expanded guest offerings compared with the limitations of a riverboat setup, and the inland location allows for a more permanent structure that integrates retail and entertainment spaces in a single complex.
Regulatory Context and State Framework
Louisiana's 2018 legislation created a pathway for existing riverboat operators to move their licenses to land-based sites, provided they meet distance and approval criteria set by state gaming authorities, and several properties across the state have already pursued similar transitions in recent years. PENN Entertainment's announcement aligns with that framework as the company seeks to consolidate its Harvey operations onto a single inland parcel that sits next to the current riverboat mooring, thereby streamlining access for patrons and reducing the operational constraints tied to vessel-based gaming. Regulatory review will examine site plans, financial commitments, and compliance with local zoning before any final permits are issued, and the timeline projects a 2029 debut once those steps are completed.
Company Background and Operational Shift
PENN Entertainment operates multiple gaming properties nationwide and has identified the Harvey project as part of its broader portfolio strategy in Louisiana, where it currently runs the riverboat under the Boomtown brand. The shift to the Hollywood Casino New Orleans name reflects a rebranding effort that ties the new facility to the company's established Hollywood Casino line, which already appears in other markets with similar mixes of slots, tables, and sports betting. Observers note that the 2018 law has encouraged operators to evaluate land-based options because permanent buildings can accommodate larger guest volumes and year-round accessibility without the maintenance demands of floating vessels.
Timeline and Next Steps
Construction is not expected to begin until after regulatory clearance, which means the current riverboat will continue operations through the approval and building phases, and the company has indicated that the adjacent inland site offers logistical advantages during the transition period. As of August 2026 the project remains in the planning and pre-approval stage with no groundbreaking date announced, yet the 2029 target date provides a multi-year window for design refinements, permitting, and supply chain coordination. Local officials in Harvey and Jefferson Parish will also review infrastructure needs such as road access and utilities that support the larger footprint of a land-based casino compared wth the existing riverboat docking area.
Industry Pattern in Louisiana
Multiple riverboat casinos in Louisiana have already completed or announced similar onshore moves since the 2018 law took effect, creating a documented trend that reduces reliance on vessels while maintaining the same number of gaming positions authorized under existing licenses. PENN Entertainment's proposal follows the same model by keeping the total gaming offering within the parameters already approved for the Boomtown operation, which includes the specified counts of slots and tables plus the addition of a retail sportsbook that meets current state allowances for sports wagering. The move therefore represents an incremental update rather than an expansion of gaming capacity, and state records show that such relocations have generally preserved employment levels while altering the physical plant.
Conclusion
The 195 million dollar investment announced by PENN Entertainment centers on a single-site relocation that converts the Boomtown riverboat into the land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans by 2029, subject to the regulatory steps outlined under Louisiana's 2018 framework, and the project details specify 875 slots, 45 table games, a sportsbook, and supporting amenities on the inland parcel adjacent to the current mooring in Harvey. This development continues the sequence of similar transitions by other operators in the state and keeps the focus on replacing an existing license rather than introducing new gaming positions.