8-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                 ____________

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 12, 2001

                         PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


          Delaware                   0-10619                      95-3667491
(State or Other Jurisdiction       (Commission                  (IRS Employer
     of Incorporation)             File Number)              Identification No.)


330 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 1100, Glendale, California            91203
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                     (Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (818) 662-5900


Item 5.    Other Events.

     On January 12, 2001, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. issued a press release, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 7.    Exhibits.

     99.1  Press Release dated January 12, 2001.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                              PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Date:  January 12, 2001       By:  /s/ Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 Chief Financial Officer


                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------

Exhibit  Description
- -------  -----------

99.1     Press Release dated January 12, 2001.

EX-99.1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1




NEWS BULLETIN
                                                     RE:
FROM:
                                                     PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT
The Financial Relations Board                        330 North Brand Boulevard,
 B S M G  W O R L D W I D E                          Suite 1100
                                                     Glendale, California  91203
                                                     TRADED:  NYSE: PNK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
AT THE COMPANY                      AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
Paul Alanis       Bruce Hinckley    Haris Tajyar         Kathy Brunson
President &CEO    CFO               General Inquiries    Analyst Inquiries
(818) 662-5900    (818) 662-5900    (310) 442-0599       (312) 266-7800
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2001

                       PH CASINO RESORTS EXTENDS MERGER
                     AGREEMENT WITH PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT

Glendale, California - January 12, 2001 - Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
(NYSE:PNK) today announced that, as provided for in the merger agreement, PH
Casino Resorts, Inc., an affiliate of Harveys Casino Resorts, has extended the
termination date of PH Casino Resorts' previously announced acquisition of
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. from January 15, 2001 to January 31, 2001, subject
to PH Casino Resorts' right to elect one or more subsequent outside termination
dates at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion in accordance
with the merger agreement. PH Casino Resorts intends to continue to evaluate the
prospects for the transaction, but cannot assure that a transaction will be
consummated.

About Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle Entertainment is a diversified gaming Company that owns and operates
seven casinos (four with hotels) in Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and
Argentina, and receives lease income from two card club casinos, both in the Los
Angeles metropolitan area.

(The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor"
for forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking information involves important
risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect future results and
accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of Pinnacle Entertainment.  Pinnacle
Entertainment cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the
forward-looking statements contained herein.  Such factors include, but are not
limited to (a) future market conditions in the high yield debt market, (b) PH
Casino Resorts' ability to secure financing to complete the merger at acceptable
rates, (c) obtaining and retaining gaming licenses and regulatory approvals, (d)
changes in the gaming markets in which Pinnacle Entertainment operates, and (e)
other risks as detailed from time to time in Pinnacle Entertainment's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  For more information on
the potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results, review
the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K Pinnacle Entertainment's other filings with the SEC.  Pinnacle
Entertainment undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any
obligation, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  In light of these
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in
this press release might not occur.)


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