Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 312,639,000		$ 292,985,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	73,900,000	[1]	74,500,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	(28,002,000)		(26,246,000)
Pre-opening and development costs	(7,561,000)		(2,758,000)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	(1,800,000)		(2,000,000)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(314,000)		(8,000)
Net interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(28,670,000)		(21,918,000)
Loss from equity method investments	(92,181,000)		(1,595,000)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		(20,718,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	611,000		(411,000)
Income from continuing operations	(85,346,000)		(326,000)
Capital expenditures	39,031,000		65,989,000
Assets	2,047,241,000				2,108,994,000
L'Auberge Lake Charles [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	90,300,000		96,900,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	26,900,000		29,700,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	9,700,000		2,800,000
Assets	320,300,000				319,600,000
St. Louis [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	96,200,000	[2]	100,400,000	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	25,000,000	[2]	25,700,000	[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	16,500,000	[2]	4,200,000	[2]
Assets	769,100,000	[2]			748,000,000	[2]
Boomtown New Orleans [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	30,900,000		32,900,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	10,300,000		11,000,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	800,000		1,100,000
Assets	74,200,000				73,800,000
Balterra Casino Resort [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	34,900,000		38,300,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	6,400,000		8,000,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	2,700,000		100,000
Assets	167,600,000				173,000,000
Boomtown Bossier City [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	21,000,000		22,600,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	5,400,000		5,900,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	1,200,000		800,000
Assets	83,400,000				83,200,000
L'Auberge Baton Rouge [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	36,700,000		0
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	5,100,000		0
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	1,200,000		54,500,000
Assets	398,200,000				404,000,000
Racetrack
Revenues:
Revenues	2,400,000	[3]	1,900,000	[3]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	(200,000)	[3]	(400,000)	[3]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	4,400,000	[3]	100,000	[3]
Assets	48,500,000	[3]			42,700,000	[3]
Corporate and Other
Revenues:
Revenues	200,000		0
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	0		0
Operating Segments [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	78,900,000		79,900,000
Corporate [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	(5,000,000)	[4]	(5,400,000)	[4]
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures	2,500,000		2,400,000
Assets	185,900,000				264,700,000
Other
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Pre-opening and development costs	$ (800,000)		$ (2,800,000)

[1] We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening and development expenses, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening and development expenses, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as a performance measure to analyze the performance of our business, and is especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because it provides a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations as they are discontinued. We also review pre-opening and development expenses separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of ongoing business operations, including our ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

[2] Our St. Louis segment consists of Lumière Place (which includes the Lumière Place Casino, the Pinnacle-owned Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and HoteLumière) and River City

[3] Our Racetrack segment consists of Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and River Downs.

[4] Corporate expenses represent unallocated payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations.