Summarized Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly results of operations
Net revenues	$ 676,450,000	$ 710,905,000	$ 687,879,000	$ 667,023,000	$ 630,221,000	$ 638,256,000	$ 598,311,000	$ 592,323,000	$ 2,742,257,000	$ 2,459,111,000	$ 2,369,275,000
Income (loss) from operations	105,919,000	130,335,000	140,592,000	122,735,000	(101,298,000)	110,462,000	51,711,000	92,351,000	499,581,000	153,226,000	(194,598,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and subsidiaries	44,031,000	70,803,000	75,989,000	51,528,000	(153,132,000)	48,345,000	9,156,000	36,164,000	242,351,000	(59,467,000)	(264,948,000)
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to the shareholders of Penn National Gaming, Inc. and subsidiaries:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.46	$ 0.73	$ 0.79	$ 0.53	$ (1.97)	$ 0.51	$ 0.09	$ 0.37	$ 2.52	$ (0.76)	$ (3.39)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.41	$ 0.66	$ 0.71	$ 0.48	$ (1.97)	$ 0.46	$ 0.09	$ 0.34	$ 2.26	$ (0.76)	$ (3.39)
Quarterly Financial Information
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge										188,855,000
Write-down of trademark intangible asset					4,400,000					4,400,000
Write-down of trademark intangible asset, after tax					2,800,000					2,800,000
Pre-tax impairment charge of land purchased in Columbus's Arena District							30,500,000			31,300,000
After tax impairment charge of land purchased in Columbus's Arena District							19,600,000			20,100,000
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Quarterly Financial Information
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge					144,600,000					144,600,000
Goodwill impairment charge, net of taxes					144,600,000					144,600,000
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Quarterly Financial Information
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge					44,200,000					44,200,000
Goodwill impairment charge, net of taxes					$ 28,400,000					$ 28,400,000