PENN Entertainment Moves Forward with Landside Relocation of Boomtown Casino Operations

PENN Entertainment, Inc. has outlined plans to invest roughly $195 million in shifting its current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operations to a new landside location on adjacent property in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, with the rebranded Hollywood Casino New Orleans slated to open in 2029 once regulatory approvals clear. The existing hotel component stays open throughout the transition, and the move represents the fourth instance of PENN completing such a landside relocation in recent years.

Scope of the Proposed Development

The new facility encompasses about 140,000 square feet of total development space and includes approximately 875 slot machines along with 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and multiple dining venues. Company statements indicate the project targets improved guest access and operational efficiency by eliminating riverboat constraints, while the adjacent land position allows the hotel to continue serving visitors without interruption during construction phases.

Context of Prior Relocations

Observers note that PENN has pursued similar landside conversions at other properties over the past several years, each time citing enhanced customer flow and expanded amenities as primary drivers. In this case the Jefferson Parish site sits directly beside the current riverboat berth, which simplifies logistics compared with more distant moves executed previously. Data from state gaming reports show riverboat venues across Louisiana have increasingly transitioned inland to accommodate larger footprints and year-round accessibility unaffected by water levels or weather events.

Regulatory and Timeline Details

Pending approvals from Louisiana regulatory bodies remain the next required step, and the 2029 target opening reflects the time needed for permitting, design finalization, and construction. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board oversees such applications, and similar projects in neighboring states have followed comparable multi-year schedules from announcement to ribbon cutting. Company filings emphasize that the hotel will maintain normal operations, preserving current employment levels and visitor services while the casino portion relocates.

Industry analysts tracking PENN’s portfolio point out that each prior relocation delivered measurable increases in gaming positions and non-gaming revenue streams once the landside facilities opened. The current announcement aligns with that pattern, adding a sportsbook and expanded food and beverage options that riverboat space limitations previously restricted. Jefferson Parish officials have indicated preliminary support for the project, citing potential economic activity during construction and long-term tax contributions once operational.

Economic and Operational Considerations

The $195 million investment covers site preparation, building construction, gaming equipment installation, and infrastructure upgrades needed to support the larger landside footprint. Because the hotel remains in place, PENN avoids the costs and guest disruptions associated with full-site rebuilds. State revenue data from comparable Louisiana properties show landside casinos typically generate higher win per unit than their riverboat predecessors, driven by increased capacity and improved amenities that draw both local and regional visitors.

Construction timelines place groundbreaking after final regulatory clearance, with phased work allowing teh riverboat to continue functioning until the new building reaches substantial completion. That approach mirrors strategies used in earlier PENN conversions, where overlapping operations minimized revenue gaps. The rebranding to Hollywood Casino New Orleans ties into PENN’s broader national brand strategy, which has consolidated several properties under the Hollywood banner following previous acquisitions and relocations.

Conclusion

The relocation announcement underscores ongoing industry shifts toward larger, more flexible landside gaming venues in Louisiana. With approvals still pending and a 2029 opening on the horizon, the project continues PENN’s established pattern of upgrading riverboat assets while preserving core operational continuity at each site. Further updates will depend on progress through the state regulatory process and construction milestones ahead.