PENN Entertainment Announces Relocation of Boomtown Casino New Orleans to New Landside Hollywood Casino Facility

PENN Entertainment has revealed plans to move its existing Boomtown Casino New Orleans riverboat operation to a new landside facility that will carry the Hollywood Casino New Orleans brand, and this shift involves a $195 million investment in roughly 140,000 square feet of development space that will house about 875 slot machines with a targeted opening in 2029 pending required approvals.

Key Elements of the Relocation Project

The company issued details on August 17, 2026, through an official statement that outlines how the current riverboat setup will transition into a permanent land-based casino structure, and observers note that this move aligns with broader industry trends where operators convert floating venues into fixed facilities to improve guest access and operational efficiency while the project remains subject to local zoning reviews and state gaming commission clearances before construction can begin.

According to the announcement, the new development will occupy a site that supports expanded amenities beyond gaming alone, yet the core focus stays on the slot machine floor and supporting infrastructure that will replace the riverboat operations currently in place along the New Orleans waterfront.

Investment Scale and Facility Specifications

Financial commitments total $195 million for the overall buildout, and this figure covers the construction of approximately 140,000 square feet that includes the gaming area plus back-of-house spaces necessary for day-to-day management; data from the release indicates the slot machine count will reach about 875 units, which represents an increase from the riverboat configuration while table games and other offerings receive separate evaluation during the planning phase.

Those who have reviewed similar projects in other markets recognize that landside conversions often allow operators to add hotel rooms, restaurants, and event spaces that riverboats cannot accommodate easily, although PENN Entertainment has not confirmed additional non-gaming elements at this stage and the timeline calls for completion by 2029 once all permits clear.

Approval Process and Timeline Considerations

Multiple regulatory steps remain before groundbreaking can occur, and the company has stated that it will work closely with Louisiana gaming authorities along with local New Orleans planning departments to secure the necessary licenses and environmental clearances; the August 2026 announcement positions the project as still early in the permitting cycle, which explains the 2029 target date that accounts for potential delays common in large-scale casino developments.

People familiar with the process point out that riverboat-to-landside transitions require updates to existing gaming compacts, and PENN Entertainment has already begun preliminary discussions with stakeholders to address traffic, parking, and community impact assessments that form part of the standard review.

Context Within Regional Gaming Landscape

This relocation fits into a pattern seen across several U.S. jurisdictions where operators seek to modernize older riverboat assets, yet the New Orleans market presents unique considerations due to its tourism volume and competition from nearby venues; figures from industry reports show that land-based facilities tend to generate higher foot traffic compared with riverboats because of easier access and larger physical footprints that support more amenities.

Researchers tracking casino performance data have documented how such upgrades can influence local employment numbers, although specific job creation estimates for the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project have not been released and will likely surface after construction contracts finalize.

Conclusion

The move from the Boomtown riverboat to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans landside facility marks a significant capital commitment by PENN Entertainment, and the $195 million investment along with the 140,000-square-foot design and 875-slot-machine capacity set the stage for a 2029 opening once approvals are secured through state and local channels. Updates on permitting progress and any design refinements will continue to emerge as the project advances through the regulatory pipeline.