The new facility will occupy more than 140,000 square feet
PENN expects to keep the existing hotel open
An announcement highlighted PENN’s recent history of successful riverboat casino relocations
PENN Entertainment announced Monday it will spend $195 million to move its Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans on-shore.
The riverboat property will be rebranded as Hollywood Casino New Orleans, pending regulatory approval. Current plans for a new property call for 140,000 square feet of development and a wide array of gaming and entertainment options.
The current riverboat location will be vacated.
PENN New Orleans casino heading to shore
Although the plans have not been finalized, the expectation is that the existing hotel will remain open.
“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,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment, in a company announcement. “The new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will represent our fourth landside move in recent years, following the recent openings of Hollywood Casino Aurora and Hollywood Casino Joliet in Illinois and the expected opening of Hollywood Casino Council Bluffs in Iowa in 2028.
As this is not PENN’s first relocation, it has experience in taking established gaming destinations and turning them into more prominent venues. That experience is expected to help give the gaming giant a leg up when it comes time to open the new property.
“As with our previous relocations, we expect our new facility to enhance the customer experience and strengthen the property’s competitive position in the New Orleans market,” Snowden said.
Hollywood Casino sign
Deep roots in Louisiana
Hollywood Casino New Orleans will be PENN’s fifth casino in Louisiana, alongside L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge, Margaritaville Resort and Boomtown Casino Hotel in Bossier City, alongside the current Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans.
The company noted its appreciation for its connection to Louisiana guests, travelers, and residents who visited its casino.
“We are incredibly proud to be a leader in the gaming and entertainment industry in the great state of Louisiana,” Snowden said. “Today’s announcement highlights our continued commitment to reinvesting in our facilities and team members, and we look forward to working with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Jefferson Parish Council to add yet another best-in-class property to our national footprint.”
PENN is hoping to finance the relocation with cash.
Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans is located on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish in Harvey, about 15 minutes away from the French Quarter. The riverboat casino houses over 700 slot machines and video poker games and 20 table games. It also has a 150-room-and-suite hotel, a steakhouse, additional restaurants, a retail sportsbook, and an entertainment venue.
Grant is an industry news expert who covers legislative news, financial updates, and general industry trends.
As a veteran of the gambling industry, Grant has experience in the world of casinos, sports betting, and iGaming. As a former long-distance runner, he knows a thing or two about persistence and consistently holding himself to a high standard.
South Africa's newly established Illegal Gambling Task Team has carried out its first enforcement operations, arresting 13 people and inspecting five suspected illegal gambling sites in Limpopo. The coordinated action signals a tougher national approach to illegal gambling, with similar operations expected to be rolled out across all nine provinces.
Casino games supplier Yggdrasil has expanded its presence in South Africa after launching its content with Lucky Fish and Bet Set Win. The two new partnerships take Yggdrasil's reach to more than 30 operators in the country as the supplier continues to target growth in the South African regulated gambling market.
The $500 million framework would wipe out substantial debt obligations owed by The Greenbrier and contribute to future improvements made to the facility.
Peter Longi will be taking the place of general manager Eric Pearson, who was in charge since the casino held its opening ceremony on April 27 and departed in mid-June.
Instead of banning these dual-currency platforms, the Virginia Lottery Board is now responsible for forming a group to review and analyze the sweepstakes casino industry.
The decision was reached as Chicago lawmakers prepare to legalize video gaming terminals (VGTs) in bars, restaurants, and truck stops throughout the city.
New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs has issued some of the most detailed gambling advertising rules the region has seen, banning licensed casino operators from using language around luck, fate, rituals or superstition in their promotions. The guidance, released this week alongside the full Online Gambling Regulations 2026, sets out exactly how licensed operators may and may not advertise to Kiwi players ahead of the market's planned 2027 launch.
Australia's gambling reform debate has intensified after politicians from across the political spectrum pushed for a complete ban on betting inducements. The proposed changes could significantly reshape how bookmakers attract and retain customers while strengthening consumer protections.
New York City will become home to three new land-based casinos, expected to attract millions of visitors and create thousands of local jobs. With a campus located within a 15-mile radius of two of these venues, Kingsborough Community College is proactively training the workforce for the new era of the city’s hospitality industry.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
