PENN Entertainment Shifts Boomtown Riverboat Operations to New Hollywood Casino Site in Harvey

PENN Entertainment has outlined a plan to invest around 195 million dollars in replacing its current riverboat casino operation with a permanent land-based facility, and the move targets the existing Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans location in Harvey, Louisiana. The company intends to construct the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland parcel, which would eliminate the need for the floating vessel that currently houses gaming activities. Regulatory approval remains a required step before construction advances, and the project carries a projected opening date of 2029.

Project Details and Facility Components

The proposed development includes approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, while a retail sportsbook forms part of the amenities package that also encompasses dining options and additional guest services. Observers note that the inland placement allows for expanded floor layouts compared with the constraints of a riverboat structure, and the design aligns with the operational model already in use at other PENN properties across multiple states. The existing Boomtown riverboat sits on the Harvey Canal, yet the new site lies directly beside it on higher ground that avoids periodic flooding concerns associated with waterway locations.

Company statements indicate the relocation follows a 2018 change in Louisiana statutes that permitted gaming operators to move facilities onshore under specific conditions. PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden described the initiative as an element of broader organic growth efforts aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience through modern infrastructure and streamlined access. Construction timelines place initial site work after final permitting, with the 2029 target reflecting standard lead times for large-scale casino builds that involve extensive foundation work and regulatory reviews.

Background on the Harvey Operation

The Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans has operated as a riverboat venue since its original licensing, and the property serves the greater New Orleans metropolitan market from its position in Jefferson Parish. Data from state gaming reports show consistent visitor traffic at the site, yet the transition to land-based operations addresses structural limitations that include limited square footage for non-gaming amenities. The adjacent inland parcel offers room for surface parking, expanded food and beverage outlets, and direct vehicle entry without reliance on dockside boarding procedures.

State records confirm that several other Louisiana operators have pursued similar onshore conversions since the statute update, and each project required separate approvals from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. PENN Entertainment has maintained continuous operations at the Harvey site while advancing the new development plan, which preserves employment levels during the transition period leading to 2029. Local economic analyses cited in project filings project sustained tax contributions once the facility opens, because the land-based model typically supports higher daily attendance figures than riverboat configurations.

Regulatory Path and Timeline Considerations

Approval processes for the Hollywood Casino New Orleans project will involve submissions detailing environmental impact, traffic studies, and architectural compliance with parish zoning ordinances. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board conducts public hearings as part of its review, and those sessions allow community input on matters ranging from parking capacity to security protocols. PENN Entertainment has indicated it will coordinate with Jefferson Parish officials throughout the permitting phase, which typically spans 12 to 18 months for comparable projects in the state.

Current projections place groundbreaking after the 2026 calendar year once all required permits are secured, and that schedule leaves a three-year window for vertical construction and interior fit-out ahead of the 2029 debut. Industry observers tracking similar conversions note that the shift from riverboat to land-based operations often results in reduced maintenance costs related to hull inspections and water-based utilities, although those savings are secondary to the primary goal of expanded guest capacity.

Strategic Context Within PENN Entertainment Operations

The Harvey project represents one component of PENN Entertainment's portfolio adjustments across its regional casino holdings, and the company continues to operate additional properties under the Hollywood Casino brand in other markets. Company filings describe the investment as a capital allocation decision focused on long-term asset modernization rather than new market entry. The 195 million dollar figure covers land preparation, building construction, gaming equipment acquisition, and initial marketing outlays required to establish the rebranded facility.

State revenue data released by the Louisiana Department of Revenue shows gaming taxes generated from riverboat properties remain a significant portion of annual collections, and the transition to land-based status does not alter the underlying tax structure. PENN Entertainment has committed to maintaining the same licensing obligations during and after the move, which ensures continuity in regulatory oversight from the current riverboat license through the land-based operation.

Conclusion

The announcement establishes a clear development roadmap for the Hollywood Casino New Orleans that centers on a 195 million dollar investment, an onshore location adjacent to the existing Harvey site, and an anticipated 2029 opening featuring 875 slots, 45 table games, and a retail sportsbook. The initiative follows the framework created by the 2018 Louisiana law and aligns with PENN Entertainment's stated approach to facility upgrades. All elements remain subject to final regulatory clearance, and subsequent updates from the company or the Louisiana Gaming Control Board will provide further milestones as the project advances through permitting and construction phases.