PENN Plans Hollywood Casino New Orleans in $195M Move
PENN Entertainment plans to invest $195 million to replace its New Orleans riverboat casino with a new land-based facility.Summary
PENN Entertainment has announced a $195 million plan to replace its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation with a new land-based gaming property. The company intends to relocate gaming operations from the existing riverboat in Harvey, Louisiana, to an adjacent inland site, subject to regulatory approval. The new facility, to be branded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, is expected to open in 2029 and will feature approximately 140,000 to 145,000 square feet of development, including 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, and dining venues. This move continues a strategy PENN has pursued at several other properties in recent years, shifting gaming operations from riverboats to permanent onshore facilities. The project is expected to create a second land-based casino serving the greater New Orleans area. The company stated that the project will be funded primarily through cash on hand. The existing riverboat will be vacated once the new facility begins operations, though the 150-room hotel will remain open. The announcement comes as Boomtown has experienced declining gaming revenue and follows a broader trend across Louisiana's gaming industry, where a 2018 state law allowed riverboat casino operators to move gaming operations ashore. Other operators, such as Treasure Chest Casino and Bally's Baton Rouge, have also pursued similar projects.
(Source：World Casino News)