Document Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 19, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PENN NATIONAL GAMING INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000921738
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float			$ 2.9
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		116,840,000