PENN Entertainment plans to invest approximately $195 million in a new landside Hollywood Casino New Orleans that would replace its Boomtown Casino and Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation. The project, announced August 17, remains subject to regulatory approval and is targeted to open in 2029.
The preliminary plan calls for about 140,000 square feet of new space with 875 slot machines, 45 table games and a retail sportsbook. PENN would retire the existing riverboat casino after the new property opens, continuing the company's wider strategy of moving selected legacy riverboat operations into modern land-based facilities.
What PENN Is Proposing
The company intends to develop the new casino in Jefferson Parish and rebrand the operation under its Hollywood Casino name. The proposal combines a larger permanent gaming floor with the sportsbook and supporting amenities expected in a contemporary regional casino. Final design, construction scope and operating details can still change during approvals and development.
A 2029 opening gives PENN several years to complete regulatory work, financing, design, procurement and construction. Casino projects face risks from building costs, labor availability, interest rates and changes in consumer demand. The announced budget and date should therefore be treated as current plans, not guaranteed outcomes.
Why Move From a Riverboat to Land
Riverboat casinos helped shape Louisiana's gaming market, but land-based buildings can offer operators more efficient layouts, easier customer access and greater flexibility for restaurants, entertainment and non-gaming space. A permanent structure is also less constrained by the geometry and maintenance needs of an older vessel.
PENN has already used similar relocation strategies in other markets. The business case is that a modern property can improve the customer experience and compete more effectively for regional visits. That logic must still be tested against the project's capital cost and the revenue available in the New Orleans-area market.
The Planned Gaming Mix
The proposed 875 slots would form the largest part of the gaming floor, while 45 table games would serve customers looking for dealer-operated products. The retail sportsbook would preserve an in-person sports-wagering option alongside Louisiana's mobile market. Exact counts may change as the project moves through approval and design.
A broader mix can help the property serve different customer groups, but every product requires compliance, staffing and responsible-gambling controls. PENN will need approved surveillance, cage, accounting and exclusion procedures before opening. The new brand does not reduce the regulatory obligations attached to the existing licence.
A $195 Million Capital Decision
The planned investment is meaningful for a regional casino and must be judged on expected returns rather than headline scale. Construction spending can support contractors and suppliers, while the completed property may create a larger employment base and more local economic activity. PENN has not guaranteed any particular revenue or tax outcome.
For investors, the question is whether the new venue can earn enough incremental cash flow to justify the cost. The project will compete with existing casinos and other entertainment spending. Management must also balance New Orleans capital needs with debt, maintenance spending and investment across the rest of PENN's portfolio.
Regulatory Approval Comes First
The announcement explicitly conditions the move on regulatory approval. Louisiana authorities will need to evaluate the relocation and the proposed operation under applicable gaming law. Local land-use, construction and environmental requirements may also apply depending on the final site and design.
Until approvals are granted, the riverboat remains the operating property and the landside plan is a proposal. Reporting should avoid implying that construction is certain or that the Hollywood Casino brand has already replaced Boomtown. Formal orders and permits will provide the next authoritative milestones.
Competitive Implications for New Orleans
A new land-based property could strengthen PENN's position among customers who prefer a modern regional casino with easier access and a wider amenity package. It could also prompt competitors to refresh their own products. The actual impact will depend on pricing, service, loyalty integration and the strength of the local tourism and leisure economy in 2029.
The project is not designed in a vacuum. New Orleans-area gaming competes with restaurants, sports, music and destination entertainment, as well as casinos elsewhere in Louisiana and neighboring states. A successful development will need to attract repeat local visits while remaining relevant to travelers.
What to Watch Before Construction
The most useful near-term milestones are the formal relocation approval, confirmation of the site plan and a detailed construction schedule. Financing arrangements, contractor selection and any changes to the $195 million budget will indicate whether the proposal is moving from concept to execution. Public documents may also clarify infrastructure and traffic requirements.
As the opening approaches, PENN should provide information on hiring, the final gaming mix and the transition from the riverboat. A carefully timed closure will matter for employees and customers because the company intends to retire the old venue only after the replacement is ready. Delays should be reported against the latest official schedule rather than the initial 2029 target.
Local government records may add detail on public infrastructure and economic commitments. Those documents should be separated from company projections so that confirmed obligations, requested incentives and general estimates are not blended into one number.
Bottom Line
PENN Entertainment is proposing a $195 million landside Hollywood Casino New Orleans with approximately 875 slots, 45 table games and a retail sportsbook. The target is a 2029 opening, after which the Boomtown riverboat operation would be retired.
The plan is a significant market-expansion project, but it remains subject to regulatory approval and development risk. The next steps are formal approvals, final design and construction milestones. Only then will the market have a clearer basis for judging the property's cost, opening schedule and competitive effect.
More CasinoWire coverage: Market Expansion.
