Boomtown New Orleans Riverboat Casino to Convert to Land-Based Casino

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Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans’ days of roaming the high seas will end soon. PENN Entertainment has unveiled plans to move the casino to a land-based operation and rebrand it as Hollywood Casino New Orleans. The change is expected to cost approximately $195 million.
PENN Entertainment Announces $195 Million Renovations for Boomtown
Gamblers in Louisiana are well acquainted with PENN Entertainment, which currently runs four brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. The company plans to add a fifth land-based site before the end of the decade.
PENN announced a $195 million renovation plan to transform the Boomtown New Orleans Riverboat Casino into the Hollywood Casino New Orleans. If the plans are approved, Penn will transfer the casino from the riverboat to a 140,000-square-foot new development.
Why Is Boomtown Converting to a Land-Based Casino?
PENN has moved three riverboat casino operations onto land, and Boomtown will be its fourth. The move also allows for a rebrand, and PENN announced that the casino will be called Hollywood Casino New Orleans after it moved to dry land.
Hollywood Casino New Orleans Plans to Open in 2029
New Orleanians are losing a riverboat casino experience, but the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans will have plenty of gambling options. PENN plans for the 140,000-square-foot site include:
- 870+ slot machines
- 40+ table games
- Sportsbook
- On-site dining options
PENN’s new casino plans will expand the gaming options of the existing Boomtown riverboat casino. Currently, Boomtown offers 700+ slots, 30+ table games, and a poker room.
The existing Boomtown Casino hotel is expected to stay open after the transition. Players
Legal Challenges for Boomtown’s Transition
Before Boomtown can make the change from riverboat to brick-and-mortar casino, it has a few regulatory hoops to jump through.
First, the plans need to be approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Also, the plans for the new casino in Harvey, LA, must be approved by the Jefferson Parish Council.
The good news for PENN is that the blueprint for the move is already in place. A law passed in 2018 allows riverboat casinos to operate on land in Louisiana. The only restriction is that new facilities must be within 1,200 feet of their historic water berths.