PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Landside Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project
Olivia Wolf · Aug 19, 2026
PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Landside Hollywood Casino New Orleans Project
PENN Entertainment announced plans in August 2026 to relocate its existing Boomtown Casino New Orleans riverboat operation to a new landside facility rebranded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and the project carries a $195 million investment in roughly 140,000 square feet of new development that includes about 875 slot machines with a targeted opening in 2029 pending approvals.
The move shifts the gaming operation from its current riverboat setup to a permanent land-based structure, which allows for expanded facilities while maintaining continuous service during the transition period according to company statements released that month.
Project Scope and Investment Details
The development encompasses approximately 140,000 square feet of new construction that integrates the slot machine floor along with supporting amenities, and this investment of $195 million covers the full scope from design through completion while the company works toward the 2029 opening date.
Observers note that the relocation replaces the riverboat format with a fixed landside building, which provides greater flexibility for layout and future expansions compared to the constraints of a vessel-based operation, and the rebranding to Hollywood Casino New Orleans aligns the property with PENN Entertainment's broader portfolio of branded locations.
Timeline and Regulatory Process
Targeted for 2029 the project remains subject to necessary approvals from state and local authorities, and PENN Entertainment has outlined a phased approach that begins with site preparation followed by construction phases designed to minimize disruption to existing gaming activities at the Boomtown location.
Company filings indicate that the transition will occur once the new facility receives all required permits, which positions the opening date as dependent on the pace of regulatory review in Louisiana.
Those familiar with similar projects in the region point out that landside facilities often incorporate additional dining, entertainment, and parking infrastructure that riverboats cannot easily accommodate, and the Hollywood Casino New Orleans plan follows this pattern by allocating space within the 140,000 square foot footprint for these supporting elements alongside the 875 slot machines.
Operational Transition from Riverboat to Landside
The existing Boomtown Casino New Orleans riverboat will continue operations until the new landside venue opens, which ensures uninterrupted service for patrons while construction proceeds on the adjacent site, and this approach mirrors strategies used in other markets where operators have shifted from floating to fixed facilities.
According to the August 2026 announcement the relocation allows PENN Entertainment to replace aging riverboat infrastructure with modern construction that meets current building standards and accessibility requirements, and the $195 million budget reflects costs associated with site acquisition, design, permitting, and equipment procurement for the slot floor.
Industry reports show that such transitions typically involve coordination between gaming regulators, local zoning boards, and environmental agencies, and the pending approvals referenced in the company's statement cover these multiple layers of oversight before groundbreaking can advance at full scale.
Slot Machine Configuration and Facility Layout
The planned 875 slot machines represent the core gaming component of the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans, and this count fits within the overall 140,000 square foot development that also includes circulation areas, back-of-house operations, and guest services, which creates a comprehensive destination rather than a standalone gaming hall.
Planners have allocated floor space to accommodate both traditional reel machines and newer electronic gaming options, while the landside location provides room for wider aisles and improved lighting compared to the more compact riverboat design currently in use at Boomtown.
What's notable is how the project integrates the rebranding effort with the physical move, and the Hollywood Casino New Orleans name ties into PENN Entertainment's existing national marketing framework that emphasizes consistent guest experiences across properties.
Regional Context and Development Impact
The announcement comes as Louisiana continues to evaluate gaming expansion options across the state, and the PENN Entertainment project in New Orleans adds to the inventory of land-based venues that have gained favor over riverboat operations in recent years.
Local officials have received preliminary project outlines that detail traffic management plans, utility upgrades, and workforce requirements for the construction phase leading to the 2029 opening, and these elements form part of the documentation under review by approval bodies.
One study revealed that landside casinos in comparable markets often generate higher per-square-foot revenue due to increased capacity for non-gaming attractions, and the Hollywood Casino New Orleans design incorporates space for such features within the 140,000 square foot envelope funded by the $195 million investment.
Conclusion
The relocation of Boomtown Casino New Orleans to the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans landside facility represents a significant capital commitment by PENN Entertainment, and the August 2026 announcement sets a clear path toward a 2029 opening once all approvals are secured for the 140,000 square foot development housing approximately 875 slot machines. The project details outlined in company releases provide a factual framework for tracking progress through the permitting and construction stages ahead.