PENN Entertainment Commits $195 Million to Onshore Hollywood Casino New Orleans Replacement
PENN Entertainment announced a $195 million onshore replacement for its Boomtown riverboat in Harvey, targeting 2029 opening as Hollywood Casino New Orleans with 875 slots and 45 tables. The fourth such shift follows a 2018 Louisiana law and mirrors peer projects that lifted revenue after inland moves. Boomtown GGR fell to $104.6 million in FY2026.
SCCG Take — The commitment applies cash reserves to counter revenue softening in a competitive parish. Execution within the 1,200-foot rule will test whether onshore format delivers measurable GGR recovery across Louisiana licensees.
PENN Entertainment will invest $195 million to replace its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat with a new land-based Hollywood Casino New Orleans on an adjacent inland site in Harvey, Louisiana. The project is subject to regulatory approval and targets a 2029 opening. This represents the operator’s fourth riverboat-to-landside transition after completed projects in Illinois and one scheduled for Iowa in 2028.
The planned facility spans 140,000 to 145,000 square feet with approximately 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, dining venues, bars, and a VIP lounge. The existing 150-room hotel stays open while the riverboat ceases gaming operations. Current Boomtown revenue reached $104.6 million in the fiscal year ending 30 June 2026, down from the pre-pandemic range of $130 million to $140 million.
According to World Casino News, the move follows a 2018 Louisiana law that permits such relocations within 1,200 feet of the original berth. Other examples include Treasure Chest Casino’s $100 million land-based opening in 2024 and the $141 million Bally’s Baton Rouge transition. Louisiana’s 15 riverboat casinos generated $1.9 billion in collective gross gaming revenue in fiscal year 2026. PENN operates five casinos in the state, employs more than 3,500 people, and contributes over $200 million annually in taxes.
Project Specifications and Precedents
The development continues PENN’s pattern of prioritizing organic growth through onshore conversions. Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment, said: “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.” Kathryn Jenkins, vice president and general manager of Boomtown, said the project will create a new destination for guests and the Jefferson Parish community.
Revenue Trends and Execution Risks
Prior transitions in the state have produced revenue gains after opening, notably at Treasure Chest. Whether the Hollywood Casino New Orleans reverses Boomtown’s recent declines will depend on delivery of enhanced customer experience within the fixed geographic limit. Regulators will review the application against suitability standards while operators track whether the 2029 timeline holds and if similar portfolio reviews accelerate elsewhere under comparable statutes.
Reporting: World Casino News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
Fourth onshore swap tests whether land format reverses a $30M revenue slide in a crowded Louisiana market.
We have watched every Louisiana riverboat operator chase the 2018 law; the ones who moved first—Treasure Chest, Bally's—saw GGR lift 15–25 percent. PENN is late but spending smart: $195 million is disciplined when Boomtown bleeds $30 million off peak. Execution risk is real—Harvey sits in Jefferson Parish's four-casino fight, and 2029 is a long fuse.
- $195M onshore Hollywood Casino New Orleans: 875 slots, 45 tables, 2029 target
- Boomtown GGR fell to $104.6M (FY2026) from $130M–$140M pre-pandemic range
- Fourth PENN riverboat conversion; peers' inland moves lifted revenue post-transition
SCCG angle: SCCG has placed vendors into three Louisiana onshore builds in the past 24 months—slots, systems, F&B. If you supply casino tech or construction and want a seat at PENN's table before 2029, we broker the introductions and know which category gaps remain. Our Gulf network is active now.
Gaming, betting and prediction markets — the desk’s read, every weekday.
Subscribe →