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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QH/+XVraOiqrbZaEZxuMI17Kx8Ux4J3jcsyXK04cENkwT21gQeILWrdszlZX8WJ/
 hAEZuBddn296T93gSlAabA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000938777-04-000001.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0000938777-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105171455
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000938777-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000356213
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				953667491
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1800
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		702-784-7777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1800
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HOLLYWOOD PARK INC/NEW/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TORGUSON MARLIN F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000938777

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13641
		FILM NUMBER:		04506186

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC
		STREET 2:		3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY, SUITE 1800
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7027847777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
		STREET 2:		3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY, SUITE 1800
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000356213</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PNK</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000938777</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TORGUSON MARLIN F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY, SUITE 1800</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-12-31</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>1229</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>9.32</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><val
ue>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1229</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>20117</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The units of phantom stock accrued under the issuer's directors deferred compensation plan.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Each phantom stock unit converts into issuer's Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote><footnote id="F3">The phantom stock units are to be settled in an equal number of shares of issuer's Common Stock after a specified period following the Reporting Person's retirement, resignation or other events.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Determined by the average closing price of th
e issuer's Common Stock on the ten business days preceding the transaction date inclusive thereof.</footnote><footnote id="F5">Represents aggregate holdings of units of phantom stock on December 31, 2003.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Donna S. Negrotto, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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