PENN Entertainment Unveils Plans for Hollywood Casino New Orleans Relocation
Skriven av Clara Brooks · 2026-08-20
PENN Entertainment Unveils Plans for Hollywood Casino New Orleans Relocation
PENN Entertainment, Inc. has announced plans to invest approximately 195 million dollars to relocate its existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to a new landside facility on adjacent land in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, with the rebranded property set to carry the name Hollywood Casino New Orleans once regulatory approvals come through.
The move represents the fourth such landside relocation undertaken by the company in recent years, and officials have stated that the project aims to enhance the overall customer experience while the existing hotel remains fully operational throughout the transition period.
Project Scope and Features
The new facility will encompass about 140,000 square feet of development space and will include roughly 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and various dining options designed to serve a wide range of visitors once the property opens its doors in 2029.
Company statements indicate that the shift from riverboat to landside operations will allow for expanded amenities and improved accessibility compared to the current setup on the water, although the precise layout and additional attractions remain subject to final design approvals.
Timeline and Regulatory Path
Pending necessary regulatory clearances from Louisiana authorities, construction is expected to proceed in phases that keep the hotel portion running without interruption, while the casino elements transfer over to the new structure on the adjacent parcel in Jefferson Parish.
The 2029 opening date provides a multi-year window for permitting, environmental reviews, and building activities, and observers note that similar relocations by the same operator have followed comparable schedules in other markets.
Operational Continuity During Transition
Throughout the relocation process the hotel at the existing Boomtown site will continue to welcome guests, ensuring that lodging revenue and visitor services remain uninterrupted even as the gaming floor prepares for its move to the landside location a short distance away.
This approach mirrors strategies used in prior company projects where phased development helped maintain steady operations, and it allows the operator to preserve brand recognition among local patrons while introducing the Hollywood Casino New Orleans identity at the new venue.
Background on the Relocation Strategy
The announcement follows a pattern of landside conversions that PENN Entertainment has pursued to modernize its regional properties, and the Jefferson Parish site was selected because of its proximity to the current riverboat berth, which reduces logistical challenges during the shift of equipment and staff.
According to the company's investor release, the investment of roughly 195 million dollars covers the core development costs for the 140,000-square-foot complex that will house teh expanded gaming floor, sportsbook, and food-and-beverage outlets.
Those familiar with Louisiana gaming regulations understand that landside facilities often receive different operational parameters than riverboat casinos, and the pending approvals will clarify any adjustments required for the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans configuration.
Expected Guest Experience Enhancements
Once complete the property is slated to offer approximately 875 slot machines and 45 table games in a setting that eliminates the spatial constraints typical of riverboat designs, while the addition of a retail sportsbook introduces sports wagering options not previously emphasized at the Boomtown location.
Dining choices will expand to accommodate different preferences, and the overall layout is intended to improve traffic flow and comfort for daily visitors as well as overnight hotel guests who will continue to access the same lodging facilities during and after construction.
Regional Context and Approvals
Jefferson Parish officials and state gaming regulators will review the proposal in the coming months, and the company has indicated that it will work closely with those bodies to meet all permitting requirements ahead of the 2029 target date.
Similar projects in other states have shown that landside relocations can increase capacity and diversify revenue streams, and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board maintains oversight of such transitions to ensure compliance with existing statutes.
Conclusion
The planned investment and relocation outlined by PENN Entertainment centers on moving Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans operations to a new landside Hollywood Casino New Orleans facility in Jefferson Parish, with an anticipated opening in 2029 that features 140,000 square feet of space, 875 slots, 45 table games, a sportsbook, and dining venues while the hotel stays open.
This marks the company's fourth landside conversion in recent years and keeps the focus on operational continuity alongside the physical shift to the adjacent site, subject to final regulatory sign-off.