PENN Entertainment Advances Landside Relocation for Boomtown Casino New Orleans

PENN Entertainment, Inc. has announced plans to invest approximately $195 million in relocating its existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to a new landside facility on adjacent land in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, with the property set to rebrand as Hollywood Casino New Orleans once regulatory approvals clear.

The move represents the company's fourth such landside relocation in recent years, and the project centers on shifting from riverboat-based gaming to a permanent shore-side structure that maintains the existing hotel while expanding overall amenities, according to the company's investor release.

Project Details and Timeline

The new facility is expected to open in 2029 and will encompass about 140,000 square feet of development space that includes roughly 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and multiple dining options, all while the current hotel operations continue uninterrupted during construction.

Jefferson Parish officials have already begun reviewing the land-use applications, and PENN Entertainment continues to work through the necessary state gaming commission processes that must be completed before ground can be broken on the permanent structure.

Background on the Relocation Strategy

Company executives have framed the relocation as part of an ongoing effort to improve guest experience by moving away from riverboat constraints toward larger, more flexible land-based venues that allow for expanded gaming floors and additional amenities without the limitations of vessel size or water access requirements.

Similar projects completed by PENN in other markets have shown that landside facilities can support higher capacity during peak periods and offer more consistent operational schedules since they eliminate weather-related river access issues that sometimes affect boat-based casinos.

Regulatory and Development Process

Pending approvals from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and local zoning authorities remain the primary hurdles before construction can begin, and company filings indicate that PENN Entertainment expects the full review cycle to take several years given the scale of the investment and the need for environmental and traffic impact studies.

State records show that Louisiana has approved several riverboat-to-landside conversions in the past decade, each requiring updated licensing agreements that transfer gaming authority from floating vessels to fixed facilities while maintaining the same tax and regulatory framework.

Operational Continuity During Transition

The existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans will continue normal operations throughout the planning and construction phases, which means the hotel component will remain open and available to guests even as the gaming floor prepares for its eventual move to the new landside building.

Company statements emphasize that no service interruptions are anticipated for current customers, and the phased approach allows staff to transition gradually while the new facility is built and equipped on the adjacent parcel.

Market Context adn Industry Trends

Industry observers note that several casino operators across the United States have pursued similar landside conversions in recent years as riverboat regulations evolve and as consumer preferences shift toward larger, more integrated entertainment destinations that combine gaming with expanded food and beverage offerings.

Data from state gaming reports indicate that land-based facilities in comparable markets have posted steady revenue growth after relocation, largely because the larger footprints allow operators to introduce new gaming products and non-gaming attractions that were previously constrained by vessel dimensions.

Conclusion

The planned relocation of Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans site marks another step in PENN Entertainment's broader strategy of modernizing its regional portfolio through landside investments. With an anticipated 2029 opening and approximately $195 million committed to the project, the development will add substantial gaming capacity and new amenities to the Jefferson Parish market once all regulatory steps are completed. The timeline remains subject to approval processes that will unfold over the coming years, while current operations at the riverboat location continue without change.