Represents the number of employees in union with whom the agreements have been made.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Represents the percentage of the employer's discretionary match contribution up to the stated maximum of eligible employee compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the maximum percentage of participant contributions eligible for employer's matching contribution.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of the daily mutual handle.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of net video lottery revenue up to a base.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of poker revenue after the base is met.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of table revenue after the base is met.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Represents the number of plans for which matching contribution is made.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

Represents the employer's matching contributions for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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- Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Represents the threshold number of employees for separate disclosure of the unions representing employees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

The amount of payment into the fund established for purposes of making future disbursements to the individual in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be fully vested under the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64, 65, A240

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable within one year (or the operating cycle, if longer). Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20028-108363

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 9

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409733&loc=d3e19512-108361

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

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Balance Type:	debit
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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 plan	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Profit sharing plan under the provisions of Section 401(k)
Employer's discretionary match contribution up to a maximum of 6% of eligible employee compensation (as a percent)	50.00%
Maximum percentage of eligible employee compensation eligible for discretionary employer match contribution	6.00%
Matching contributions for the profit-sharing plan	$ 3.7	$ 3.5	$ 3.6
Defined contribution plan, the Charles Town Races Future Service Retirement Plan
Matching contribution as a percentage of the daily mutual handle	0.25%
Matching contribution as a percentage of net video lottery revenue up to a base	1.00%
Matching contribution as a percentage of table revenue after the base is met	0.50%
Matching contribution as a percentage of poker revenue after the base is met	0.84%
Number of plans for which matching contribution is made	2
Contributions for the two plans at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races	3.8	3.1	2.7
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan
Vesting period for matching contribution by employer under the plan (in years)	P5Y
Employer's matching contributions for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan	2.3	1.8	1.5
Deferred compensation liability, which was included in other current liabilities	$ 41.2	$ 37.6
Number of employees \| Represented by a single union
Labor Agreements
Threshold number of employees under agreement for separate disclosure of unions	50
Seafarers Entertainment and Allied Trade Union
Labor Agreements
Number of employees under agreements	1,860
UNITE/HERE
Labor Agreements
Number of employees under agreements	280