Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 315,340,000		$ 298,310,000		$ 627,979,000		$ 591,295,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	72,600,000	[1]	73,200,000	[1]	146,600,000	[1]	147,700,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	(27,135,000)		(26,201,000)		(55,137,000)		(52,447,000)
Pre-opening and development costs	(17,208,000)		(4,212,000)		(24,769,000)		(6,970,000)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	(3,500,000)		(3,200,000)		(5,300,000)		(5,300,000)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(1,927,000)		(788,000)		(2,241,000)		(796,000)
Interest expense, net	(28,401,000)		(22,485,000)		(57,071,000)		(44,403,000)
Loss from equity method investments	0		(1,244,000)		(92,181,000)		(2,839,000)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		0		0		(20,718,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	251,000		(2,150,000)		(360,000)		(1,739,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(5,195,000)		12,943,000		(90,541,000)		12,617,000
Capital expenditures					106,389,000		156,914,000
Assets	2,060,599,000				2,060,599,000				2,108,994,000
L'Auberge Lake Charles [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	93,100,000		100,900,000		183,400,000		197,800,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	26,000,000		30,400,000		52,900,000	[1]	60,100,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					19,600,000		4,800,000
Assets	322,700,000				322,700,000				319,600,000
St. Louis [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	97,900,000	[2]	100,400,000	[2]	194,200,000	[2]	200,700,000	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	26,100,000	[2]	25,200,000	[2]	51,100,000	[1],[2]	50,800,000	[1],[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					41,600,000	[2]	10,200,000	[2]
Assets	779,300,000	[2]			779,300,000	[2]			748,000,000	[2]
Boomtown New Orleans [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	30,700,000		31,700,000		61,500,000		64,600,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	10,500,000		10,000,000		20,800,000	[1]	21,000,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					1,900,000		3,700,000
Assets	75,100,000				75,100,000				73,800,000
L'Auberge Baton Rouge [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	36,600,000		0		73,300,000		0
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	5,700,000		0		10,800,000		0
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					18,100,000		131,100,000
Assets	389,400,000				389,400,000				404,000,000
Balterra Casino Resort [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	34,700,000		40,500,000		69,600,000		78,800,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	7,600,000		8,400,000		14,000,000	[1]	16,500,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					4,100,000		1,200,000
Assets	168,700,000				168,700,000				173,000,000
Boomtown Bossier City [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	18,400,000		20,300,000		39,400,000		43,000,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	3,900,000		4,600,000		9,400,000	[1]	10,500,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					2,200,000		1,600,000
Assets	82,400,000				82,400,000				83,200,000
Racetrack
Revenues:
Revenues	3,700,000	[3]	4,500,000	[3]	6,100,000		6,300,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	(1,000,000)	[3]	(400,000)	[3]	(1,100,000)	[1]	(800,000)	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					15,800,000	[3]	900,000	[3]
Assets	64,700,000	[3]			64,700,000	[3]			42,700,000	[3]
Corporate and Other
Revenues:
Revenues	200,000		0		500,000		100,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	0		0		(100,000)		0
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					3,100,000		3,400,000
Assets	178,300,000				178,300,000				264,700,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	78,800,000		78,200,000		157,800,000	[1]	158,100,000	[1]
Corporate [Member]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	(6,200,000)	[4]	(5,000,000)	[4]	(11,200,000)	[1],[4]	(10,400,000)	[1],[4]
Other Properties
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Pre-opening and development costs	$ (600,000)		$ (4,200,000)		$ (1,500,000)		$ (7,000,000)

[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. 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, 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.