PENN Entertainment has unveiled plans to replace its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation with a new land-based gaming property, marking another major redevelopment project in Louisiana’s casino market.
The company announced it intends to invest approximately $195 million in a new facility that would relocate gaming operations from the existing riverboat in Harvey, Louisiana, to an adjacent inland site. Subject to regulatory approval, the project will carry the Hollywood Casino New Orleans brand and is expected to open in 2029.
The development would create a second land-based casino serving the greater New Orleans area. Although Boomtown has long carried the New Orleans name, the property is located in Harvey on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, roughly five miles from downtown New Orleans and about 15 minutes from the French Quarter.
PENN Entertainment said the project continues a strategy it has pursued at several other properties in recent years, moving gaming operations from riverboats to permanent onshore facilities.
“This investment reflects our disciplined approach to capital allocation, prioritizing organic growth opportunities that build on our operational strengths and are expected to deliver compelling returns,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.
He added: “The new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will represent our fourth landside move in recent years, following the recent openings of Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois and the expected opening of Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs in Iowa in 2028. As with our previous relocations, we expect our new facility to enhance the customer experience and strengthen the property’s competitive position in the New Orleans market.”
New Development Planned Next to Existing Property
According to PENN, the proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans will feature approximately 140,000 to 145,000 square feet of new development. Plans call for around 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and a VIP lounge.
The company expects the existing riverboat to be vacated once the new facility begins operations. PENN currently intends to keep the existing hotel open. The 150-room hotel, which includes guestrooms and suites, will continue to serve visitors to the new casino complex.
Boomtown currently offers more than 700 slot and video poker machines, a poker room, and over 20 table games. The property also includes several dining outlets, a sportsbook, and entertainment facilities. The hotel was added in 2015 through a $20 million investment and stands adjacent to the casino site.
Kathryn Jenkins, vice president and general manager of Boomtown, highlighted the project’s local significance.
“We’re proud to make this significant investment in Jefferson Parish and create a new destination that will serve our guests and the community for years to come,” Jenkins said.
PENN stated that the project will be funded primarily through cash on hand, though the company may also utilize its balance sheet or other liquidity sources if needed.
Louisiana Riverboat Casinos Continue Shift Inland
The planned relocation follows a broader trend across Louisiana’s gaming industry. A 2018 state law allowed riverboat casino operators to move gaming operations ashore, provided the new facilities remain within 1,200 feet, or roughly a quarter mile, of their original berths.
Since that legislation was enacted, several operators have pursued similar projects. Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner opened a new $100 million land-based facility in 2024, while the former Belle of Baton Rouge completed a $141 million transition to an onshore property under the Bally’s Baton Rouge name. Boyd Gaming has also announced plans to relocate Amelia Belle Casino to a land-based venue near Morgan City.
Industry observers have pointed to increased competition from expanded gaming and sports betting markets as a factor encouraging operators to modernize and expand their properties.
The Treasure Chest project has attracted attention after posting strong revenue growth following its move inland. State figures show the casino generated substantially higher revenue in the fiscal year after opening its land-based facility and continued to grow in the following year.
Revenue Trends Provide Context for Investment
PENN’s decision comes as Boomtown has experienced declining gaming revenue over recent years.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the property regularly generated annual gross gaming revenue between approximately $130 million and $140 million. For Louisiana’s fiscal year ending 30 June 2026, revenue totaled about $104.6 million.
The casino currently attracts between 60,000 and 70,000 visits each month, according to Louisiana State Police data. During the most recent fiscal year, Boomtown generated approximately $22.5 million in local tax revenue, which is distributed among Jefferson Parish and municipalities on the West Bank.
The existing casino first opened in 1994 on the Harvey Canal and currently spans three levels with around 30,000 square feet of gaming space.
PENN operates five casinos in Louisiana, including Boomtown New Orleans, Boomtown Casino Hotel in Bossier City, Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City, L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge, and L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. The company employs more than 3,500 people in the state and contributes more than $200 million annually in state and local taxes.
“We are incredibly proud to be a leader in the gaming and entertainment industry in the great state of Louisiana,” continued Snowden. “Today’s announcement highlights our continued commitment to reinvesting in our facilities and team members, and we look forward to working with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Jefferson Parish Council to add yet another best-in-class property to our national footprint.”
Louisiana currently has 15 riverboat casino license holders. Collectively, those casinos generated approximately $1.9 billion in gross revenue during fiscal year 2026, according to state revenue reports. The proposed Hollywood Casino New Orleans would become one of the largest and most expensive riverboat-to-land transitions undertaken in the state since the 2018 legislative change.