Current Setup at the Existing Property

The Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans currently operates as a riverboat casino on the Mississippi River and it has faced declining revenues in recent periods which the company has cited as a key factor behind the relocation decision while the existing property continues to provide gaming and hospitality services to visitors from the New Orleans area and surrounding regions.

Observers note that the riverboat format limits expansion possibilities and restricts certain customer amenities compared to land-based venues yet the operation has maintained its role in the local market even as revenues have trended downward according to company statements.

Scope of the Investment and New Development

The planned investment covers construction of the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans on the inland site and it includes relocation of the gaming equipment and related operations from the riverboat while the total figure of approximately $195 million accounts for building costs infrastructure upgrades and fit-out of the gaming floor along with hospitality elements.

Company filings and announcements detail that the move will convert the operation from a riverboat to a permanent land-based structure and this shift aligns with similar transitions undertaken by other operators in Louisiana since the passage of a 2018 state law that permitted such relocations under specific conditions.

Those familiar with the project indicate that the new facility will occupy a site adjacent to the current riverboat location which allows for continuity in market access while providing space for expanded offerings such as the retail sportsbook and additional dining venues that prove difficult to accommodate on a vessel.

Regulatory Process and Expected Timeline

Approval from state gaming regulators stands required before construction can begin in earnest and the company has stated that it will work through the necessary licensing and permitting steps over the coming years with an anticipated opening in 2029 once all conditions receive clearance.

Jefferson Parish officials along with Louisiana gaming authorities will review the application and the process typically involves public hearings environmental assessments and verification that the project meets statutory requirements established under the 2018 legislation while the timeline accounts for these sequential reviews without specifying intermediate milestones at this stage.

Industry Trend Toward Onshore Facilities

Multiple operators in Louisiana have pursued similar moves from riverboats to land-based sites since the 2018 state law took effect and data from industry reports show that such transitions often result in improved operational efficiency and broader amenity options for patrons.

The PENN Entertainment project represents another instance in this pattern where riverboat properties seek inland locations to address physical constraints and revenue pressures while the Hollywood Casino New Orleans branding connects the new venue to the company's existing portfolio of Hollywood-branded properties in other markets.

Facility Components and Operational Details

The planned gaming floor will house approximately 875 slot machines and 45 table games alongside the retail sportsbook and the layout incorporates a VIP lounge intended to serve high-value players with dedicated services while dining options will range from casual to more upscale venues to accommodate varied guest preferences.

Parking and access infrastructure form part of the development scope and the inland location permits larger building footprints that support these additions without the spatial limitations inherent to riverboat designs.