Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Aug. 05, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000356213
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		62,043,727
Amendment Flag	true
Amendment Description	To restate the condensed consolidated financial statement and other financial information to properly account for the expense related to the Company's mychoice customer loyalty program (the “mychoice program”)