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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,
 ClRtTDgvOf9G2sYDXz984iRlpXP/T1oOwQynKjsZA1SuClkSRB+398I4n12kPXqP
 HArSskZgT9Xehf6ZPoPAMQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001167902-05-000001.txt : 20050510
<SEC-HEADER>0001167902-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050510
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050510164456
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001167902-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050503
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050510
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050510

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 PRKWY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1800
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		702-784-7777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3800 HOWARD HUGHES PRKWY
		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:			PARROTT TIMOTHY J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001167902

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13641
		FILM NUMBER:		05817406

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ON STAGE ENTERTAINMENT INC
		STREET 2:		4625 W NEVSO DR
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89103
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7022531333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC
		STREET 2:		3800 HOWARD HUGES PARKWAY STE.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>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000356213</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PNK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001167902</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PARROTT TIMOTHY J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY</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>Stock Options (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>14.70</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-05-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-05-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-05-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock options vest in five equal annual installments beginning May 3, 2006, so that 100% of the stock options will be vested by May 3, 2010.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John A. Godfrey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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