Pinnacle Entertainment (PNKZV) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_informatio

Document and Entity information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 07, 2014
Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000356213	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	59,979,853

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gaming	$503,620	$371,624	$1,477,041	$847,650
Food and beverage	31,259	22,692	89,228	50,228
Lodging	14,485	9,677	39,077	20,509
Retail, entertainment and other	18,935	14,934	50,912	34,414
Total revenues	568,299	418,927	1,656,258	952,801
Expenses and other costs:	'	'	'	'
Gaming	271,306	203,599	785,903	474,432
Food and beverage	29,648	19,858	82,559	43,807
Lodging	6,715	3,981	18,309	10,130
Retail, entertainment and other	9,184	7,416	20,448	16,744
General and administrative	111,369	84,519	323,784	185,758
Depreciation and amortization	60,152	39,528	177,236	85,183
Pre-opening, development and other costs	1,598	63,086	11,917	87,851
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	1,135	12,130	4,359	14,259
Total expenses and other costs	491,107	434,117	1,424,515	918,164
Operating income (loss)	77,192	-15,190	231,743	34,637
Interest expense, net	-62,498	-48,500	-191,290	-105,420
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	-30,830	-8,234	-30,830
Loss from equity method investments	0	0	0	-92,181
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	14,694	-94,520	32,219	-193,794
Income tax (expense) benefit	-6,975	47,378	-8,072	51,766
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,719	-47,142	24,147	-142,028
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	4,771	-133,275	5,096	-128,887
Net income (loss)	12,490	-180,417	29,243	-270,915
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-16	-11	-52	-36
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$12,506	($180,406)	$29,295	($270,879)
Net income (loss) per common share—basic	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$0.13	($0.80)	$0.41	($2.43)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$0.08	($2.27)	$0.09	($2.20)
Net income (loss) per common share—basic	$0.21	($3.07)	$0.50	($4.63)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$0.13	($0.80)	$0.39	($2.43)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$0.08	($2.27)	$0.08	($2.20)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted	$0.21	($3.07)	$0.47	($4.63)
Number of shares—basic	59,817	58,777	59,560	58,548
Number of shares—diluted	61,800	58,777	61,493	58,548

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income (loss)	$12,490	($180,417)	$29,243	($270,915)
Comprehensive income (loss)	12,490	-180,417	29,243	-270,915
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-16	-11	-52	-36
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$12,506	($180,406)	$29,295	($270,879)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$154,989	$191,938
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,151 and $5,178	24,945	33,569
Inventories	8,740	8,193
Income tax receivable, net	16,891	17,397
Prepaid expenses and other assets	26,582	20,871
Deferred income taxes	7,662	7,662
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	20,687	322,548
Total current assets	260,496	602,178
Restricted cash	5,667	11,592
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	3,044,296	3,036,515
Goodwill	919,282	919,282
Equity method investments	2,000	1,975
Intangible assets, net	534,515	500,084
Other assets, net	81,858	87,800
Total assets	4,848,114	5,159,426
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	57,441	69,036
Accrued interest	69,654	49,318
Accrued compensation	74,135	77,322
Accrued taxes	58,900	38,348
Other accrued liabilities	110,326	96,273
Current portion of long-term debt	11,006	16,006
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	277	26,103
Total current liabilities	381,739	372,406
Long-term debt less current portion	3,982,253	4,364,045
Other long-term liabilities	40,107	31,321
Deferred income taxes	173,002	166,484
Total liabilities	4,577,101	4,934,256
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock—$0.10 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 59,979,853 and 59,197,606 shares outstanding, net of treasury shares	6,635	6,557
Additional paid-in capital	1,092,418	1,075,896
Accumulated deficit	-768,754	-798,049
Accumulated other comprehensive income	390	390
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,374,882 of treasury shares	-71,090	-71,090
Total Pinnacle stockholders' equity	259,599	213,704
Non-controlling interest	11,414	11,466
Total stockholders' equity	271,013	225,170
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,848,114	$5,159,426

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$6,151	$5,178
Preferred Stock, par value per share	$1	$1
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	250,000	250,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, par value per share	$0.10	$0.10
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	59,979,853	59,197,606
Treasury Stock, Shares	6,374,882	6,374,882

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Total Attributable to Parent Company	Non-controlling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$225,170	$6,557	$1,075,896	($798,049)	$390	($71,090)	$213,704	$11,466
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	59,198,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	29,243	0	0	29,295	0	0	29,295	-52
Share-based compensation	10,126	0	10,126	0	0	0	10,126	0
Common stock issuance and option exercises	'	782,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock issuance and option exercises	6,474	78	6,396	0	0	0	6,474	0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$271,013	$6,635	$1,092,418	($768,754)	$390	($71,090)	$259,599	$11,414
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	59,980,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$29,243	($270,915)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	177,236	97,727
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	-1,327	2,336
Loss from equity method investments	0	92,181
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	8,234	30,830
Reserve on uncollectible loan rceivable	0	1,760
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	0	10,000
Impairment of buildings, vessels and equipment	5,132	144,722
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	8,370	4,324
Share-based compensation expense	10,126	8,550
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Receivables, net	6,008	2,593
Prepaid expenses and other	-7,801	9,848
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	35,306	-4,121
Net cash provided by operating activities	270,527	129,835
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-188,722	-188,457
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired	0	-1,749,736
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	258,507	29,246
Equity method investments, inclusive of capitalized interest	-25	-2,732
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	0	-5,853
Proceeds from matured investments	0	4,428
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	103	318
Purchase of intangible assets	-25,000	0
Escrow refund	25,000	0
Loans receivable, net	-317	-6,346
Restricted cash	5,925	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	75,471	-1,919,132
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from credit facility	217,600	1,651,702
Repayments under credit facility	-612,837	-5,122
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	850,000
Repayments of long-term debt	0	-567,462
Proceeds from common stock options exercised, net	6,352	8,488
Distribution to non-controlling interest minority owner	0	-911
Debt issuance and other financing costs	-699	-41,073
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-389,584	1,895,622
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-43,586	106,325
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	198,575	101,792
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	154,989	208,117
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	162,652	59,521
Cash payments (refund) related to income taxes, net	-2,036	2,229
Decrease in construction-related deposits and liabilities	-17,270	-2,473
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	$25,000	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation and Organization: Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is an owner, operator and developer of casinos and related hospitality and entertainment facilities. References in these footnotes to “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where stated or the context otherwise indicates.
	We own and operate 15 gaming entertainment properties, located in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada and Ohio. We also hold a majority interest in the racing license owner, as well as a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack outside of San Antonio, Texas. In addition to these properties, we own and operate a live and televised poker tournament series under the trade name Heartland Poker Tour. Our reporting segments are as follows:
	Midwest segment, which includes:	Location
	Ameristar Council Bluffs	Council Bluffs, Iowa
	Ameristar East Chicago	East Chicago, Indiana
	Ameristar Kansas City	Kansas City, Missouri
	Ameristar St. Charles	St. Charles, Missouri
	Belterra	Florence, Indiana
	Belterra Park	Cincinnati, Ohio
	River City	St. Louis, Missouri
	South segment, which includes:	Location
	Ameristar Vicksburg	Vicksburg, Mississippi
	Boomtown Bossier City	Bossier City, Louisiana
	Boomtown New Orleans	New Orleans, Louisiana
	L'Auberge Baton Rouge	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
	L'Auberge Lake Charles	Lake Charles, Louisiana
	West segment, which includes:	Location
	Ameristar Black Hawk	Black Hawk, Colorado
	Cactus Petes	Jackpot, Nevada
	Horseshu	Jackpot, Nevada
	We have classified certain of our assets and liabilities as held for sale in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and included the related results of operations in discontinued operations. The operating results of Lumière Place Casino, HoteLumière, the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, and related excess land parcels (collectively the “Lumière Place Casino and Hotels”) have been reclassified as discontinued operations. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in the Lumière Place Casino and Hotels. For further information, see Note 7, “Discontinued Operations.” The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have not been adjusted for discontinued operations.
	Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with the instructions for generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The results for the periods indicated are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The results of operations for interim periods are not indicative of a full year of operations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
	Use of Estimates: The preparation of unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our customer loyalty programs, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and intangible assets, contingencies and litigation, and estimates of the forfeiture rate and expected life of share-based awards and stock price volatility when computing share-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	Fair Value: Fair value measurements affect our accounting and impairment assessments of our long-lived assets, investments in unconsolidated affiliates, assets acquired in an acquisition, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value measurements also affect our accounting for certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and is measured according to a hierarchy that includes: “Level 1” inputs, such as quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities; “Level 2” inputs, which are observable inputs for similar assets; or “Level 3” inputs, which are unobservable inputs.
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Fair Value			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
	As of September 30, 2014
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.6		$	0.6		$	—	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.8		$	0.8		$	—	$	—
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:
								Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Carrying Value			Total Fair Value			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	As of September 30, 2014	(in millions)
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8		$	30.1		$	—	$	26.7	$	3.4
	Promissory notes	$	11.5		$	18.5		$	—	$	18.5	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	3,993.30		$	4,066.80		$	—	$	4,066.80	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8		$	30.1		$	—	$	26.7	$	3.4
	Promissory notes	$	9.5		$	16.5		$	—	$	16.5	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	4,380.10		$	4,511.90		$	—	$	4,511.90	$	—
	The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities and our long-term promissory notes were based on Level 2 inputs using observable market data for comparable instruments in establishing prices.
	The estimated fair values for certain of our long-term held-to-maturity securities were based on Level 3 inputs using a present value of future cash flow valuation technique that relies on management assumptions and qualitative observations. Key significant unobservable inputs in this technique include discount rate risk premiums and probability-weighted cash flow scenarios.
	The estimated fair values of our long-term debt includes the fair value of our senior notes, senior subordinated notes, senior secured credit facility and term loans were based on Level 2 inputs of observable market data on comparable debt instruments on or about September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The fair values of our short term financial instruments approximate the carrying values due to their short term nature.
	Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment: Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. Land includes land not currently being used in our operations, which totaled $35.7 million at September 30, 2014. We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense maintenance and repair costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposition of land, buildings, vessels and equipment are included in the determination of income.
	We review the carrying value of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment used in our operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is recorded based on the fair value of the asset.
	Development costs directly associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of the project, during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. The costs incurred for development projects are carried at cost. Interest costs associated with development projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed asset. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project, or discernible portion of the project, is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed. For further discussion, see Note 2, “Long-Term Debt.”
	The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
Land and land improvements	$	391.7		$	391.7
Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,649.80			2,492.20
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	693.5			633.1
Construction in progress	118.5			175.6
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross	3,853.50			3,692.60
Less: accumulated depreciation	(809.2		)	(656.1		)
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	3,044.30		$	3,036.50
Equity Method Investments: We apply equity method accounting for investments when we do not control the investee, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and finance policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, with the allocable portion of the investee's income or loss reported in earnings, and adjusted for capital contributions to and distributions from the investee. Distributions in excess of equity method earnings, if any, are recognized as a return of investment and recorded as investing cash flows in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We review our equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment, by applying a qualitative and/or quantitative fair-value-based test. There were no impairments to goodwill or intangible assets recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment of $10.0 million on our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million intangible asset related to Belterra Park's video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. Such amount is included in “Intangible assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2014, we have made payments of $25.0 million for Belterra Park's VLT license and have accrued $25.0 million for the remaining amount due in 2015. Such amount is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Customer Loyalty Programs: We offer incentives to our customers through our mychoice customer loyalty program. Under the mychoice customer loyalty program, customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the plan will be forfeited if the customer does not earn any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items. In April 2014, we expanded the mychoice loyalty program to all Ameristar properties as part of the integration of the Ameristar properties, and now we offer benefits solely through the mychoice customer loyalty program.
We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding cost of providing the benefits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had accrued $26.3 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing mychoice benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”) customer loyalty program. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Revenue Recognition. Gaming revenues consist of the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between amounts wagered and amounts paid to winning patrons. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed.
The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in total revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating revenues. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in gaming expenses. Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014		2013
	(in millions)
Food and beverage	$	35.2		$	28.1		$	102.1	$	61.7
Lodging	15.4			14.9			46.6		29.3
Other	4.9			3.7			13		9.3
Total promotional allowances	$	55.5		$	46.7		$	161.7	$	100.3
The costs to provide such complimentary benefits were as follows:
	For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014		2013
	(in millions)
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense	$	42.1		$	31.8		$	119.4	$	72.2
Gaming Taxes: We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments. These gaming taxes are an assessment on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming expense in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, which were as follow:
	For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014		2013
	(in millions)
Gaming taxes	$	142.1		$	105.3		$	416.4	$	244.1
Pre-opening, Development and Other Costs: Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of payroll costs to hire, employ and train the workforce prior to opening an operating facility; marketing campaigns prior to and commensurate with the opening; legal and professional fees related to the project but not otherwise attributable to depreciable assets; lease payments; real estate taxes; acquisition costs; restructuring costs; and other costs prior to the opening of an operating facility. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of the following:
	For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014		2013
	(in millions)
Ameristar acquisition (1)	$	(0.2	)	$	62.3		$	2.2	$	86
Belterra Park (2)	0.8			0.3			8.2		0.5
Other (3)	1			0.5			1.5		1.4
Total pre-opening, development and other costs	$	1.6		$	63.1		$	11.9	$	87.9
-1	Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar.
-2	Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.
-3	Includes $0.9 million of cost associated with our evaluation of a REIT spin-off transaction.
Earnings per Share: The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively. Diluted earnings per share reflect the additional dilution from all potentially dilutive securities, such as in-the-money stock options and restricted stocks units. Out-of-money stock options were excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share because including them would have been anti-dilutive, and totaled 1.8 million and 1.5 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded losses from continuing operations. Accordingly, the potential dilution from the assumed exercise of stock options is anti-dilutive. As a result, basic earnings per share is equal to diluted earnings per share for the periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share amounted to 1.9 million and 1.6 million shares, respectively.
Reclassifications: The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net losses.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for income taxes which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The objective in issuing this amendment is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. Under the amendment, an entity must present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except under certain conditions. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those years, and should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update in connection with reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of entities. The accounting standards update changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendment a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (i) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; (ii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; and (iii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. This new guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity and all business activities, on acquisition, that are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services or goods in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our consolidated financial statements.
A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		30-Sep-14
		Outstanding Principal			Unamortized (Discount) Premium			Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	564.9		$	—		$	564.9
	Term B-2 Loans due 2020	830			(22.3		)	807.7
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850			—			850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00			55.6			1,095.60
	7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022	325			—			325
	8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020	350			—			350
	Other	0.1			—			0.1
	Total debt including current maturities	3,960.00			33.3			3,993.30
	Less current maturities	(11.0		)	—			(11.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,949.00		$	33.3		$	3,982.30
		31-Dec-13
		Outstanding Principal			Unamortized (Discount) Premium			Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	493.6		$	—		$	493.6
	Term B-1 Loans due 2016	202			(7.7		)	194.3
	Term B-2 Loans due 2020	1,094.50			(26.0		)	1,068.50
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850			—			850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00			58.6			1,098.50
	7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022	325			—			325
	8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020	350			—			350
	Other	0.1			—			0.1
	Total debt including current maturities	4,355.20			24.9			4,380.10
	Less current maturities	(16.0		)	—			(16.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	4,339.20		$	24.9		$	4,364.10
	Senior Secured Credit Facility: In August 2013, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Facility”), which amended and restated our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2011, as amended. The Credit Facility consists of (i) $1.6 billion of term loans comprised of $500.0 million of Tranche B-1 term loans and $1.1 billion in Tranche B-2 term loans and (ii) a $1 billion revolving credit commitment. As of September 30, 2014, we fully repaid the outstanding principal balances of our Tranche B-1 term loans and had approximately $564.9 million drawn under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $12.7 million committed under letters of credit. The Credit Facility was entered into in connection with our acquisition of Ameristar. The outstanding principal on the Tranche B-2 term loans have been discounted on issuance for the reduction in the proceeds received when the transaction was consummated.
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021: In August 2013, we issued $850.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2021 (“6.375% Notes”) to fund the acquisition of Ameristar. The 6.375% Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1st and August 1st, commencing on February 1, 2014. The 6.375% Notes mature on August 1, 2021. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $835.0 million.
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021: As part of the acquisition of Ameristar, we assumed $1.04 billion in aggregate principal amount 7.50% Senior Notes due 2021 (“7.50% Notes”) that were originally issued by Ameristar. The 7.50% Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15th and October 15th of each year.  The 7.50% Notes mature on April 15, 2021. The 7.50% Notes were recorded at fair value as part of the purchase price allocation with a premium of $72.8 million. In addition, a consent fee payment to the holders of the 7.50% Notes at acquisition was included as a discount component of the total carrying value. For further details on the Ameristar business combination purchase price allocation, see Note 6, “Investments and Acquisition activities.”
	7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022: In March 2012, we issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior subordinated notes due 2022 (“7.75% Notes”). The 7.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on April 1st and October 1st of each year. The 7.75% Notes mature on April 1, 2022. Net of initial purchasers’ fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $318.3 million.
	8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020: In May 2010, we issued $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 (“8.75% Notes”). The 8.75% Notes were issued at par with interest payable on May 15th and November 15th of each year. The 8.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2020. Net of the initial purchasers' fees and various costs and expenses, proceeds from the offering were approximately $341.5 million.
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt: During the second quarter of 2014, we incurred a $8.2 million loss related to the redemption of our then existing Tranche B-1 term loans. The loss included the write off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.
	During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded a $30.8 million loss related to the early redemption of our 8.625% Senior Notes due 2017 and the amendment and restatement of our Credit Facility. The loss included premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income was as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Interest expense	$	62.8		$	49.7		$	194.3		$	108
	Interest income	—			(0.2		)	(0.3		)	(0.4		)
	Capitalized interest	(0.3		)	(1.0		)	(2.7		)	(2.2		)
	Interest expense, net	$	62.5		$	48.5		$	191.3		$	105.4
	Interest expense is capitalized on internally constructed assets at our overall weighted average cost of borrowing. Interest expense increased due to the additional debt incurred to fund our acquisition of Ameristar and other development projects. The increase in capitalized interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is attributable to interest expense capitalization on our recently completed Belterra Park development and a hotel tower development at our Boomtown New Orleans property, which is currently expected to open by the end of 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Our effective income tax rate for continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 47.5%, or an expense of $7.0 million, and 25.1% or an expense of $8.1 million, respectively, as compared to an effective tax rate of 50.1%, or a benefit of $47.4 million, and 26.7% or a benefit of $51.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding prior-year periods. Our tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35.0% due to the effects of permanent items, the recording of a valuation allowance release, deferred tax expense on tax amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets, state taxes and a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. Our income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included a tax benefit from the release of $3.0 million of our valuation allowance as a result of additional deferred tax liabilities recognized from the preparation of the Ameristar pre-acquisition tax returns during the second quarter of 2014. Our state tax provision represents taxes in the jurisdiction of Indiana, Louisiana and the city jurisdictions in Missouri where we have no valuation allowance.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Benefit and Other Plans [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	Share-based Compensation: As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately 7.1 million share-based awards outstanding, including common stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units which are detailed below. In addition, we had approximately 0.9 million share-based awards available for grant. We recorded share-based compensation expense as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,					For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Share-based compensation expense	$	1.4		$	3.1	$	10.1	$	8.2
	Stock options: The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Stock Options		Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	5,509,246		$	14.01
	Granted	894,180		$	23.41
	Exercised	(458,545	)	$	13.58
	Canceled or forfeited	(292,813	)	$	20.09
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,652,068		$	15.22
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,130,278		$	12.77
	Expected to vest after September 30, 2014	1,898,726		$	18.55
	The unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options totaled approximately $18.2 million at September 30, 2014, and the weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years. The aggregate amount of cash we received from the exercise of stock options was $6.4 million and $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The associated shares were newly issued common stock. The following information is provided for our stock options:
		For the nine months ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	8.93		$	10.53
	Restricted Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	629,518		$	20.11
	Granted	579,918		$	23.55
	Vested	(186,788	)	$	19.45
	Canceled or forfeited	(105,915	)	$	22.59
	Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	916,733		$	22.29
	Unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed attributable to non-vested shares totaled approximately $18.1 million at September 30, 2014, and the weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years.
	Performance Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our performance stock units:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	431,858		$	22.79
	Granted	123,283		$	26.5
	Canceled or forfeited	(34,819	)	$	23.14
	Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	520,322		$	23.64

Writedowns_reserves_and_recove

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Write Downs Reserves And Recoveries Net Abstract	'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	'
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
	Net write-downs, reserves and recoveries consist of $1.1 million and $4.4 million in losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The losses related to a $2.9 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters recognized during the second quarter of 2014 and net losses from the disposal or abandonment of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized net losses of $12.1 million and $14.3 million, respectively. During the third quarter of 2013, we recognized an impairment loss of our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license of $10.0 million. The fair value of the license was calculated using discounted cash flows using Level 3 inputs.

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac

Investments and Acquisition Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Investments and Acquisition Activities	'
	Investments and Acquisition Activities
	Acquisition of Ameristar Casinos, Inc.: On August 13, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Ameristar pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 20, 2012, as amended. Upon completion of the acquisition, Ameristar was merged with and into Pinnacle and ceased to exist as a separate entity.
	The purchase price totaled $1.8 billion (excluding assumed debt). The purchase price was comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Consideration for Ameristar equity	$	962,428
	Repayment of Ameristar debt	878,828
		$	1,841,256
	We are required to allocate the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values is recorded as goodwill, of which $176.9 million is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of Ameristar. The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment. Management finalized its valuation analysis during the second quarter of 2014.
	The following table reflects the August 13, 2013, allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the excess recorded as goodwill (in thousands).
	Current and other assets	$	152,165
	Property and equipment	1,783,735
	Goodwill	860,805
	Intangible assets	524,200
	Other non-current assets	39,496
	Total assets	$	3,360,401
	Current liabilities	179,493
	Deferred tax liabilities	218,646
	Other long-term liabilities	8,109
	Debt	1,112,897
	Total liabilities	1,519,145
	Net assets acquired	$	1,841,256
	Of the $860.8 million of goodwill, approximately $551.1 million has been assigned to the Midwest reporting segment, approximately $231.5 million has been assigned to the South reporting segment, and approximately $78.2 million has been assigned to the West reporting segment.
	The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value of acquired property and equipment.
			As Recorded at Fair Value
			(in thousands)
	Land and land improvements		$	162,770
	Buildings, vessels and improvements		1,308,151
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		158,999
	Construction in progress (a)		153,815
	Total property and equipment acquired		$	1,783,735
	(a)	Included in acquired construction in progress were the assets of the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles development. These assets were sold in November 2013. See Note 7, “Discontinued Operations,” for further detail.
	The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value acquired intangible assets.
			As Recorded at Fair Value
			(in thousands)
	Trade names		$	187,000
	Gaming licenses		258,800
	Player relationships		74,000
	Favorable leasehold interests		4,400
	Total intangible assets acquired		$	524,200
	ACDL Investment: We have a minority ownership interest in Asian Coast Development (Canada), Ltd. (“ACDL”). During 2013, we recorded impairments of approximately $94.0 million fully impairing the remaining asset carrying value of our investments in ACDL. We have discontinued accounting for our investment in ACDL under the equity method and will not provide for additional losses until our share of future net income, if any, equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period the equity method was suspended.
	Equity Method Investment: As of September 30, 2014, we have invested $2.0 million in Farmworks, a land re-utilization project in downtown St. Louis, included in “Equity method investment” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. This investment is accounted for under the equity method.
	Retama Park Racetrack: On January 29, 2013, we acquired 75.5% of the equity of Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC (“PRP”). The acquisition of the equity was accounted for as a business combination. The purchase price for the equity was allocated based upon estimated fair values of the assets, with the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the assets acquired recorded as goodwill. The purchase price allocation includes goodwill of $3.3 million and other intangibles of $5.0 million.
	As of September 30, 2014, PRP held $11.5 million in promissory notes issued by Retama Development Corporation (“RDC”), a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas, included in “Other Assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The promissory notes have long-term contractual maturities and are collateralized by Retama Park Racetrack assets. The contractual terms of these promissory notes include interest payments due at maturity. We have not recorded accrued interest on these promissory notes because uncertainty exists as to RDC's ability to make interest payments.
	As of September 30, 2014, we held, at amortized cost, $11.4 million in local government corporation bonds, with long-term contractual maturities, issued by RDC, a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas, included in “Other Assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. It is not likely that we will be required to sell these investments prior to the recovery of the amortized cost.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	Discontinued operations consists of disposal groups classified as held for sale and measured at the lower of their carrying values or the fair value less cost to sell. The fair value of the assets to be sold was determined using a market approach using Level 2 inputs, as defined in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
	Lumiere Place Casino and Hotels: In August 2013, we entered into an Equity Interest Purchase Agreement to sell the ownership interests in certain of our subsidiaries, which own and operate the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels. During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment charge totaling $144.6 million, to reduce the carrying value of the assets to their net realizable value, less costs to sell. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $252.3 million, net of approximately $11.0 million in cash acquired by the buyer, subject to a net working capital adjustment. In July 2014, we agreed to a final working capital adjustment in which we refunded approximately $2.0 million in cash proceeds back to the buyer.
	Ameristar Casino Lake Charles: In July 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of our subsidiary, which was developing the Ameristar Lake Charles development project. In November 2013, we closed the sale of the equity interests of our subsidiary. At closing, we received approximately $180.0 million in cash that excludes $35.0 million of deferred consideration, of which $25.0 million is restricted cash subject to release by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and $10.0 million is in the form of a note receivable from the buyer, due in July 2016. In April 2014, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved a resolution releasing us from the requirement to hold the $25.0 million of restricted cash. In August 2014, we entered into a settlement agreement with the buyer in which we received $4.8 million from escrow. The recovery of these proceeds and adjustments to our cost to sell estimates resulted in the recognition of an approximate $2.3 million gain during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
	Boomtown Reno: In August 2014, we closed the sale of the membership interest of PNK (Reno), LLC, which owns 27 acres of the excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. At closing, we received approximately $3.5 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $2.4 million. As of September 30, 2014, we continue to hold 783 acres of excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. During the third quarter of 2014, we entered into agreement to sell this land, subject to a due diligence period.
	Atlantic City: During the third quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of our land holdings in Atlantic City, New Jersey for total consideration of approximately $29.5 million. We expect no material ongoing financial impact from Atlantic City.
	Springfield, Massachusetts: We own approximately 40 acres of land in Springfield, Massachusetts, originally purchased by Ameristar for a possible future casino resort. During the first quarter of 2014, we entered into an option agreement to sell this land. As of September 30, 2014, this option has not been exercised.
	Total discontinued operations: Revenues and net income (loss) from discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended, September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	44.2		$	41		$	139.2
	Income (loss) before income taxes	4.9			(140.9		)	5.2			(131.8		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(0.1		)	7.6			(0.1		)	2.9
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	4.8		$	(133.3	)	$	5.1		$	(128.9	)
	Net assets for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	11.8		$	275.3
	Other assets, net	8.9			47.2
	Total assets	$	20.7		$	322.5
	Liabilities:
	Total liabilities	$	0.3		$	26.1
	Net assets	$	20.4		$	296.4

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement for Belterra Park: In January 2013, we entered into an Agreement for Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Services with a general contractor for the mobilization, demolition, site work and foundation work for Belterra Park. This agreement provides, among other things, that the general contractor will complete the initial work for a total guaranteed maximum price of approximately $20.1 million. In July 2013, we entered into an amendment to the agreement with the general contractor, which provides that the guaranteed date of completion for the Belterra Park project is May 1, 2014 and the total guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the Belterra Park project is approximately $131.0 million, which includes the $20.1 million described above.
	Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement for Boomtown New Orleans: In February 2013, we entered into an Agreement for Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Services with a general contractor for the construction of a 150-guestroom hotel tower at our Boomtown New Orleans property for a total guaranteed maximum price of approximately $14.2 million.
	Self-Insurance: We self-insure various levels of general liability and workers' compensation at all of our properties and medical coverage at most of our properties. Insurance reserves include accruals for estimated settlements for known claims, as well as accruals for estimates of claims not yet made. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $26.7 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Indiana Tax Dispute: In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue (the “IDR”) commenced an examination of our Indiana income tax filings for the years 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2010, we received a proposed assessment in the amount of $7.3 million, excluding interest and penalties. We filed a protest requesting abatement of all taxes, interest and penalties and had two hearings with the IDR where we provided additional facts and support. At issue is whether income and gains from certain asset sales, including the sale of the Hollywood Park Racetrack in 1999, and other transactions outside of Indiana, such as the Aztar merger termination fee in 2006, which we reported on our Indiana state tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007, resulted in business income subject to apportionment. In April 2012, we received a supplemental letter of findings from the IDR that denied our protest on most counts. In the supplemental letter of findings, the IDR did not raise any new technical arguments or advance any new theory that would alter our judgment regarding the recognition or measurement of the unrecognized tax benefit related to this audit. We believe that our tax return position is sustainable on the merits. In June 2012, we filed a tax appeal petition with the Indiana tax court to set aside the final assessment. In August 2013, we filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on the 1999 Hollywood Park sale. We asked the court to grant summary judgment in our favor based on the technical merit of Indiana tax law. In January 2014, oral arguments were held at the Indiana Tax Court regarding our motion for summary judgment.
	Other: We are a party to a number of other pending legal proceedings. Management does not expect that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information	'
	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information
	Our subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries with approximately $62.9 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2014, that include a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries) have fully, unconditionally, jointly, and severally guaranteed the payment of all obligations under our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility. Separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the subsidiary guarantors are not included herein because management has determined that such information is not material to investors. In lieu thereof, we include the following:
		Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
		Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
											Entries			Consolidated
								(in millions)
	For the three months ended September 30, 2014
	Statement of Operations
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	503.6		$	—		$	—		$	503.6
	Food and beverage	—			31.3			—			—			31.3
	Lodging	—			14.5			—			—			14.5
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			18.8			—			—			18.9
		0.1			568.2			—			—			568.3
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			271.3			—			—			271.3
	Food and beverage	—			29.6			—			—			29.6
	Lodging	—			6.7			—			—			6.7
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
	General and administrative	24.1			87.2			0.1			—			111.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	0.7			0.8			0.1			—			1.6
	Depreciation and amortization	1.3			58.9			—			—			60.2
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	—			1.1			—			—			1.1
		26.1			464.8			0.2			—			491.1
	Operating income (loss)	(26.0		)	103.4			(0.2		)	—			77.2
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	69.7			—			—			(69.7		)	—
	Interest expense, net	(62.7		)	0.2			—			—			(62.5		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(19.0		)	103.6			(0.2		)	(69.7		)	14.7
	Management fee and inter-company interest	38.5			(38.5		)	—			—			—
	Income tax expense	(7.0		)	—			—			—			(7.0		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	12.5			65.1			(0.2		)	(69.7		)	7.7
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			4.8			—			—			4.8
	Net income (loss)	$	12.5		$	69.9		$	(0.2	)	$	(69.7	)	$	12.5
		Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
		Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
											Entries			Consolidated
								(in millions)
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Statement of Operations
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,477.00		$	—		$	—		$	1,477.00
	Food and beverage	—			89.2			—			—			89.2
	Lodging	—			39.1			—			—			39.1
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			50.8			—			—			50.9
		0.1			1,656.10			—			—			1,656.20
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			785.9			—			—			785.9
	Food and beverage	—			82.6			—			—			82.6
	Lodging	—			18.3			—			—			18.3
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			20.4			—			—			20.4
	General and administrative	75.4			248.2			0.2			—			323.8
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	3.3			8.3			0.3			—			11.9
	Depreciation and amortization	4.9			172.4			—			—			177.3
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	3			1.3			—			—			4.3
		86.6			1,337.40			0.5			—			1,424.50
	Operating income (loss)	(86.5		)	318.7			(0.5		)	—			231.7
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	210.8			—			—			(210.8		)	—
	Interest expense, net	(193.9		)	2.6			—			—			(191.3		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	—			—			—			(8.2		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(77.8		)	321.3			(0.5		)	(210.8		)	32.2
	Management fee and inter-company interest	115.1			(115.1		)	—			—			—
Income tax expense	(8.1		)	—			—			—			(8.1		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	29.2			206.2			(0.5		)	(210.8		)	24.1
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			5.2			(0.1		)	—			5.1
Net income (loss)	$	29.2		$	211.4		$	(0.6	)	$	(210.8	)	$	29.2
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Operations
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	371.6		$	—		$	—		$	371.6
Food and beverage	—			22.7			—			—			22.7
Lodging	—			9.7			—			—			9.7
Retail, entertainment and other	—			14.9			—			—			14.9
	—			418.9			—			—			418.9
Expenses:
Gaming	—			203.6			—			—			203.6
Food and beverage	—			19.9			—			—			19.9
Lodging	—			4			—			—			4
Retail, entertainment and other	—			7.4			—			—			7.4
General and administrative	22.3			62.1			0.1			—			84.5
Pre-opening, development and other costs	62.3			0.6			0.2			—			63.1
Depreciation and amortization	1.2			38.3			—			—			39.5
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	—			10.3			1.8			—			12.1
	85.8			346.2			2.1			—			434.1
Operating income (loss)	(85.8		)	72.7			(2.1		)	—			(15.2		)
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(86.8		)	—			—			86.8			—
Interest expense, net	(51.2		)	2.7			—			—			(48.5		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(254.6		)	75.4			(2.1		)	86.8			(94.5		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	26.8			(26.8		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	47.4			—			—			—			47.4
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(180.4		)	48.6			(2.1		)	86.8			(47.1		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			(133.3		)	—			—			(133.3		)
Net income (loss)	$	(180.4	)	$	(84.7	)	$	(2.1	)	$	86.8		$	(180.4	)
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Operations
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	847.7		$	—		$	—		$	847.7
Food and beverage	—			50.2			—			—			50.2
Lodging	—			20.5			—			—			20.5
Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			34.3			—			—			34.4
	0.1			952.7			—			—			952.8
Expenses:
Gaming	—			474.4			—			—			474.4
Food and beverage	—			43.8			—			—			43.8
Lodging	—			10.1			—			—			10.1
Retail, entertainment and other	—			16.7			—			—			16.7
General and administrative	37.6			147.8			0.4			—			185.8
Pre-opening, development and other costs	86.1			1.4			0.4			—			87.9
Depreciation and amortization	3.8			81.4			—			—			85.2
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	1.1			11.6			1.6			—			14.3
	128.6			787.2			2.4			—			918.2
Operating income (loss)	(128.5		)	165.5			(2.4		)	—			34.6
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(86.0		)	—			—			86			—
Interest expense, net	(109.4		)	4			—			—			(105.4		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(92.2		)	—			(92.2		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(354.7		)	169.5			(94.6		)	86			(193.8		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	32			(32.0		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	51.8			—			—			—			51.8
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(270.9		)	137.5			(94.6		)	86			(142.0		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			(128.9		)	—			—			(128.9		)
Net income (loss)	$	(270.9	)	$	8.6		$	(94.6	)	$	86		$	(270.9	)
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
As of September 30, 2014
Balance Sheet
Current assets	$	37.5		$	178.2		$	24.1		$	—		$	239.8
Property and equipment, net	38.4			3,000.30			5.6			—			3,044.30
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			529.5			5			—			534.5
Other non-current assets	60.9			4.4			24.2			—			89.5
Investment in subsidiaries	4,389.80			—			—			(4,389.8		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.5			17.2			0.7			(0.7		)	20.7
Inter-company	—			281.7			—			(281.7		)	—
Total assets	$	4,530.10		$	4,927.30		$	62.9		$	(4,672.2	)	$	4,848.10
Current liabilities	$	83.1		$	298		$	0.3		$	—		$	381.4
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)	3,982.20			0.1			—			—			3,982.30
Other non-current liabilities	(75.3		)	288.4			—			—			213.1
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			0.3			—			—			0.3
Inter-company	280.5			—			1.2			(281.7		)	—
Total liabilities	4,270.50			586.8			1.5			(281.7		)	4,577.10
Total Pinnacle stockholders' equity	259.6			4,340.50			50			(4,390.5		)	259.6
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.4			—			11.4
Total equity	259.6			4,340.50			61.4			(4,390.5		)	271
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,530.10		$	4,927.30		$	62.9		$	(4,672.2	)	$	4,848.10
As of December 31, 2013
Balance Sheet
Current assets	$	66.8		$	185.1		$	27.7		$	—		$	279.6
Property and equipment, net	47.7			2,983.10			5.7			—			3,036.50
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			495.1			5			—			500.1
Other non-current assets	72.6			6.6			22.1			—			101.3
Investment in subsidiaries	4,508.30			—			—			(4,508.3		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.4			318.8			1.2			(0.8		)	322.6
Inter-company	—			55.7			—			(55.7		)	—
Total assets	$	4,698.80		$	4,960.40		$	65		$	(4,564.8	)	$	5,159.40
Current liabilities	$	114.8		$	231.4		$	0.1		$	—		$	346.3
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)	4,363.90			0.1			—			—			4,364.00
Other non-current liabilities	(48.1		)	245.9			—			—			197.8
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			26.1			—			—			26.1
Inter-company	54.5			—			1.2			(55.7		)	—
Total liabilities	4,485.10			503.5			1.3			(55.7		)	4,934.20
Pinnacle stockholder's equity	213.7			4,456.90			52.2			(4,509.1		)	213.7
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.5			—			11.5
Total equity	213.7			4,456.90			63.7			(4,509.1		)	225.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,698.80		$	4,960.40		$	65		$	(4,564.8	)	$	5,159.40
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	111.3		$	163.1		$	(3.9	)	$	—		$	270.5
Capital expenditures	(9.8		)	(178.9		)	—			—			(188.7		)
Purchase of intangible assets	—			(25.0		)	—			—			(25.0		)
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	—			258.5			—			—			258.5
Escrow refund	—			25			—			—			25
Restricted cash	5.9			—			—			—			5.9
Intercompany and other	258.2			(258.8		)	0.4			—			(0.2		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	254.3			(179.2		)	0.4			—			75.5
Proceeds from credit facility	217.6			—			—			—			217.6
Repayments under credit facility	(146.3		)	—			—			—			(146.3		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(466.5		)	—			—			—			(466.5		)
Other	5.6			—			—			—			5.6
Cash used in financing activities	(389.6		)	—			—			—			(389.6		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(24.0		)	(16.1		)	(3.5		)	—			(43.6		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28.6			142.3			27.7			—			198.6
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	4.6		$	126.2		$	24.2		$	—		$	155
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,873.5	)	$	1,981.50		$	21.8		$	—		$	129.8
Capital expenditures	(3.7		)	(184.8		)	—			—			(188.5		)
Payments for business combinations, net	—			(1,749.7		)	—			—			(1,749.7		)
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	4.4			—			(5.8		)	—			(1.4		)
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	—			29.2			—			—			29.2
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.3		)	—			(6.3		)
Other	—			—			(2.4		)	—			(2.4		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0.7			(1,905.3		)	(14.5		)	—			(1,919.1		)
Proceeds from credit facility	1,651.70			—			—			—			1,651.70
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	850			—			—			—			850
Net repayments under credit facility	(5.1		)	—			—			—			(5.1		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(567.5		)	—			—			—			(567.5		)
Other	(33.5		)	—			—			—			(33.5		)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,895.60			—			—			—			1,895.60
Change in cash and cash equivalents	22.8			76.2			7.3			—			106.3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5.5			73.5			22.8			—			101.8
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	28.3		$	149.7		$	30.1		$	—		$	208.1
_______________________
(a)	As of September 30, 2014, the following material subsidiaries are identified as guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes: Belterra Resort Indiana, LLC; Boomtown, LLC; Casino Magic, LLC; Louisiana-I Gaming; PNK (Baton Rouge) Partnership; PNK (BOSSIER CITY), Inc.; PNK Development 7, LLC; PNK Development 8, LLC; PNK Development 9, LLC; PNK (LAKE CHARLES), L.L.C.; PNK (Ohio), LLC; PNK (Ohio) II, LLC; PNK (Ohio) III, LLC; PNK (River City), LLC; PNK (SAM), LLC; PNK (SAZ), LLC; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, Inc.; Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc.; Cactus Pete’s, Inc.; Ameristar East Chicago Holdings, LLC; Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC; and Ameristar Casino Springfield, LLC. In addition, certain other immaterial subsidiaries are also guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes.
(b)	Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $62.9 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2014 that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment (as defined below) to compare operating results among our segments and allocate resources. The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDA for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, and 2013.
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenues:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	305.1		$	194.5		$	881.8		$	368.7
	South segment (a)	202.6			192.2			606.2			549.8
	West segment (a)	58.5			30.3			162.8			30.3
		566.2			417			1,650.80			948.8
	Corporate and other	2.2			1.9			5.4			4
	Total revenues	$	568.4		$	418.9		$	1,656.20		$	952.8
	Adjusted EBITDA (b):
	Midwest segment (a)	$	86.5		$	55.3		$	260.8		$	100.4
	South segment (a)	56.3			56.5			183			150.4
	West segment (a)	22.2			10.6			59.5			10.6
		165			122.4			503.3			261.4
	Corporate expenses and other (c)	(23.5		)	(19.8		)	(68.0		)	(31.2		)
	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)	$	141.5		$	102.6		$	435.3		$	230.2
	Other benefits (costs):
	Depreciation and amortization	(60.2		)	(39.5		)	(177.2		)	(85.2		)
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	(1.6		)	(63.1		)	(11.9		)	(87.9		)
	Non-cash share-based compensation expense	(1.4		)	(3.1		)	(10.1		)	(8.2		)
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(1.1		)	(12.1		)	(4.4		)	(14.3		)
	Interest expense, net	(62.5		)	(48.5		)	(191.3		)	(105.4		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			—			(92.2		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			(30.8		)	(8.2		)	(30.8		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(7.0		)	47.4			(8.1		)	51.8
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	7.7		$	(47.1	)	$	24.1		$	(142.0	)
		For the nine months ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Capital expenditures:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	137.1		$	100.7
	South segment (a)	37.7			57.3
	West segment (a)	3.4			0.8
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	10.5			29.7
		$	188.7		$	188.5
	(a)	See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.
	(b)	We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
	(c)	Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Beginning in the 2013 third quarter, we changed the methodology used to allocate corporate expenses to our reportable segments.  Historically, we allocated direct and some indirect expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters to each property.  Expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters that were related to property operations, but not directly attributable to a specific property, were allocated, typically on a pro rata basis, to each property.  Only the remaining corporate expenses that were not related to an operating property were retained in the Corporate expense category. Under our new methodology, only corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property were allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are now allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. The change in methodology increases Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments with a corresponding increase in corporate expense, resulting in no impact to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	In November 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a plan to pursue a separation of our operating assets and real estate assets into two publicly traded companies, subject to the successful resolution of various contingencies. We intend to carry out the proposed separation of our real estate assets through the creation of a newly formed, publicly traded, real estate investment trust (“REIT” or “Prop Co”), the common stock of which would be distributed to Pinnacle stockholders in a tax-free spin-off (“REIT transaction”), with Pinnacle remaining an operating entity (“Op Co”) following the transaction. The completion of the REIT transaction is subject to the successful resolutions of various contingencies, including, but not limited to, approval by the required gaming regulators, obtaining a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and completion of financing transactions for both Prop Co and Op Co.
	Under the plan being pursued, Prop Co will initially own the real estate assets of Pinnacle, with most of the assets being leased back to Op Co for use by its subsidiaries through a triple net Master Lease Agreement. The terms of that Master Lease Agreement, including key items like rent structure and coverage, have yet to be determined. We expect that Prop Co will pursue growth of its portfolio and annual dividend distribution through real property acquisitions, with a broad mandate in the gaming, leisure and entertainment industries. After the proposed separation, Op Co, through its licensed subsidiaries, would operate gaming entertainment centers in the facilities leased from Prop Co and own other assets, including its gaming licenses, gaming equipment, and other non-casino assets and equity interests.
	We expect to complete the REIT transaction in 2016 with REIT election for corporate tax purposes occurring shortly thereafter. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the proposed REIT transaction in 2016 or at all.
	In November 2014, in connection with our plan to pursue a REIT transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a short-term REIT protection shareholder rights plan to prohibit ownership of more than 9.8% of its outstanding common stock in order to safeguard our ability to pursue a pro rata dividend in the proposed Prop Co spin-off transaction under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
	Under the shareholder rights plan, any person or group that acquires beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of Pinnacle common stock without Board approval would be subject to significant dilution. The rights will expire upon the earliest of (i) November 6, 2016, (ii) the first business day after the closing of the proposed Prop Co spin-off transaction, or (iii) the time at which the rights are redeemed or exchanged under the shareholder rights plan. We intend to submit the shareholder rights plan for ratification by the Company’s stockholders at the Company's 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Consolidation Policy	'
	Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and notes necessary for complete financial statements in conformity with the instructions for generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The results for the periods indicated are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The results of operations for interim periods are not indicative of a full year of operations. These unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
Use of Estimates Policy	'
	Use of Estimates: The preparation of unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used by us include, among other things, the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, estimated income tax provisions, the evaluation of the future realization of deferred tax assets, determining the adequacy of reserves for self-insured liabilities and our customer loyalty programs, estimated cash flows in assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, asset impairments, goodwill and intangible assets, contingencies and litigation, and estimates of the forfeiture rate and expected life of share-based awards and stock price volatility when computing share-based compensation expense. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Fair Value Policy	'
	Fair Value: Fair value measurements affect our accounting and impairment assessments of our long-lived assets, investments in unconsolidated affiliates, assets acquired in an acquisition, goodwill, and other intangible assets. Fair value measurements also affect our accounting for certain financial assets and liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and is measured according to a hierarchy that includes: “Level 1” inputs, such as quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities; “Level 2” inputs, which are observable inputs for similar assets; or “Level 3” inputs, which are unobservable inputs
Land, Building, Vessels and Equipment Policy	'
	Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment: Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. Land includes land not currently being used in our operations, which totaled $35.7 million at September 30, 2014. We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense maintenance and repair costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposition of land, buildings, vessels and equipment are included in the determination of income.
	We review the carrying value of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment used in our operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is recorded based on the fair value of the asset.
	Development costs directly associated with the acquisition, development and construction of a project are capitalized as a cost of the project, during the periods in which activities necessary to get the property ready for its intended use are in progress. The costs incurred for development projects are carried at cost. Interest costs associated with development projects are capitalized as part of the cost of the constructed asset. When no debt is incurred specifically for a project, interest is capitalized on amounts expended for the project using our weighted-average cost of borrowing. Capitalization of interest ceases when the project, or discernible portion of the project, is substantially complete. If substantially all of the construction activities of a project are suspended, capitalization of interest will cease until such activities are resumed. For further discussion, see Note 2, “Long-Term Debt.”
Equity Method Investments, Policy	'
	Equity Method Investments: We apply equity method accounting for investments when we do not control the investee, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over its operating and finance policies. Equity method investments are recorded at cost, with the allocable portion of the investee's income or loss reported in earnings, and adjusted for capital contributions to and distributions from the investee. Distributions in excess of equity method earnings, if any, are recognized as a return of investment and recorded as investing cash flows in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We review our equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Policy	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment, by applying a qualitative and/or quantitative fair-value-based test. There were no impairments to goodwill or intangible assets recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded an impairment of $10.0 million on our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million intangible asset related to Belterra Park's video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. Such amount is included in “Intangible assets, net” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2014, we have made payments of $25.0 million for Belterra Park's VLT license and have accrued $25.0 million for the remaining amount due in 2015. Such amount is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Customer Loyalty Programs Policy	'
	Customer Loyalty Programs: We offer incentives to our customers through our mychoice customer loyalty program. Under the mychoice customer loyalty program, customers earn points based on their level of play that may be redeemed for various benefits, such as cash back, dining, or hotel stays, among others. The reward credit balance under the plan will be forfeited if the customer does not earn any reward credits over the prior six-month period. In addition, based on their level of play, customers can earn additional benefits without redeeming points, such as a car lease, among other items. In April 2014, we expanded the mychoice loyalty program to all Ameristar properties as part of the integration of the Ameristar properties, and now we offer benefits solely through the mychoice customer loyalty program.
	We accrue a liability for the estimated cost of providing these benefits as the benefits are earned. Estimates and assumptions are made regarding cost of providing the benefits, breakage rates, and the mix of goods and services customers will choose. We use historical data to assist in the determination of estimated accruals. Changes in estimates or customer redemption habits could produce significantly different results. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had accrued $26.3 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing mychoice benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”) customer loyalty program. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Revenue Recognition, Policy	'
	Revenue Recognition. Gaming revenues consist of the net win from gaming activities, which is the difference between amounts wagered and amounts paid to winning patrons. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed.
	The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in total revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating revenues. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in gaming expenses.
Gaming Taxes Policy	'
	Gaming Taxes: We are subject to taxes based on gross gaming revenues in the jurisdictions in which we operate, subject to applicable jurisdictional adjustments.
Earnings Per Share Policy	'
	Earnings per Share: The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively. Diluted earnings per share reflect the additional dilution from all potentially dilutive securities, such as in-the-money stock options and restricted stocks units. Out-of-money stock options were excluded from calculation of diluted earnings per share because including them would have been anti-dilutive, and totaled 1.8 million and 1.5 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded losses from continuing operations. Accordingly, the potential dilution from the assumed exercise of stock options is anti-dilutive. As a result, basic earnings per share is equal to diluted earnings per share for the periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share amounted to 1.9 million and 1.6 million shares, respectively.
Reclassification Policy	'
	Reclassifications: The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net losses.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for income taxes which provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The objective in issuing this amendment is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current GAAP. Under the amendment, an entity must present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except under certain conditions. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and for interim periods within those years, and should be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update in connection with reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of entities. The accounting standards update changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the amendment a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (i) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale; (ii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; and (iii) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. This new guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity and all business activities, on acquisition, that are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued a new standard related to revenue recognition. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised services or goods in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The new standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements.
	In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with respect to performance share awards. This accounting standards update requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period or periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The effective date for this update is for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standards update on our consolidated financial statements.
	A variety of proposed or otherwise potential accounting standards are currently under review and study by standard-setting organizations and certain regulatory agencies. Because of the tentative and preliminary nature of such proposed standards, we have not yet determined the effect, if any, that the implementation of any such proposed or revised standards would have on our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Fair Value			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
	As of September 30, 2014
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.6		$	0.6		$	—	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.8		$	0.8		$	—	$	—
Fair Value Measurements Not Measured on a Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents a summary of fair value measurements by level for certain financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for which it is practicable to estimate fair value:
								Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Carrying Value			Total Fair Value			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	As of September 30, 2014	(in millions)
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8		$	30.1		$	—	$	26.7	$	3.4
	Promissory notes	$	11.5		$	18.5		$	—	$	18.5	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	3,993.30		$	4,066.80		$	—	$	4,066.80	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8		$	30.1		$	—	$	26.7	$	3.4
	Promissory notes	$	9.5		$	16.5		$	—	$	16.5	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	4,380.10		$	4,511.90		$	—	$	4,511.90	$	—
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment	'
	The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
	Land and land improvements	$	391.7		$	391.7
	Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,649.80			2,492.20
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	693.5			633.1
	Construction in progress	118.5			175.6
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross	3,853.50			3,692.60
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(809.2		)	(656.1		)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	3,044.30		$	3,036.50
Schedule of Complimentary Revenue	'
	Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Food and beverage	$	35.2		$	28.1		$	102.1	$	61.7
	Lodging	15.4			14.9			46.6		29.3
	Other	4.9			3.7			13		9.3
	Total promotional allowances	$	55.5		$	46.7		$	161.7	$	100.3
	The costs to provide such complimentary benefits were as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense	$	42.1		$	31.8		$	119.4	$	72.2
Gaming Taxes Table	'
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Gaming taxes	$	142.1		$	105.3		$	416.4	$	244.1
Pre-opening and Development Costs Table	'
	Pre-opening, Development and Other Costs: Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of payroll costs to hire, employ and train the workforce prior to opening an operating facility; marketing campaigns prior to and commensurate with the opening; legal and professional fees related to the project but not otherwise attributable to depreciable assets; lease payments; real estate taxes; acquisition costs; restructuring costs; and other costs prior to the opening of an operating facility. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening, development and other costs consist of the following:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition (1)	$	(0.2	)	$	62.3		$	2.2	$	86
	Belterra Park (2)	0.8			0.3			8.2		0.5
	Other (3)	1			0.5			1.5		1.4
	Total pre-opening, development and other costs	$	1.6		$	63.1		$	11.9	$	87.9

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'
		31-Dec-13
		Outstanding Principal			Unamortized (Discount) Premium			Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	493.6		$	—		$	493.6
	Term B-1 Loans due 2016	202			(7.7		)	194.3
	Term B-2 Loans due 2020	1,094.50			(26.0		)	1,068.50
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850			—			850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00			58.6			1,098.50
	7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022	325			—			325
	8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020	350			—			350
	Other	0.1			—			0.1
	Total debt including current maturities	4,355.20			24.9			4,380.10
	Less current maturities	(16.0		)	—			(16.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	4,339.20		$	24.9		$	4,364.10
		30-Sep-14
		Outstanding Principal			Unamortized (Discount) Premium			Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	564.9		$	—		$	564.9
	Term B-2 Loans due 2020	830			(22.3		)	807.7
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850			—			850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00			55.6			1,095.60
	7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2022	325			—			325
	8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020	350			—			350
	Other	0.1			—			0.1
	Total debt including current maturities	3,960.00			33.3			3,993.30
	Less current maturities	(11.0		)	—			(11.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,949.00		$	33.3		$	3,982.30
Schedule of Interest Expense, Net	'
	Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income was as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Interest expense	$	62.8		$	49.7		$	194.3		$	108
	Interest income	—			(0.2		)	(0.3		)	(0.4		)
	Capitalized interest	(0.3		)	(1.0		)	(2.7		)	(2.2		)
	Interest expense, net	$	62.5		$	48.5		$	191.3		$	105.4

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Benefit and Other Plans [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Employee Benefit Plans	'
	We recorded share-based compensation expense as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,					For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Share-based compensation expense	$	1.4		$	3.1	$	10.1	$	8.2
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	'
	Stock options: The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Stock Options		Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	5,509,246		$	14.01
	Granted	894,180		$	23.41
	Exercised	(458,545	)	$	13.58
	Canceled or forfeited	(292,813	)	$	20.09
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,652,068		$	15.22
	Options exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,130,278		$	12.77
	Expected to vest after September 30, 2014	1,898,726		$	18.55
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following information is provided for our stock options:
		For the nine months ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	8.93		$	10.53
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	Restricted Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	629,518		$	20.11
	Granted	579,918		$	23.55
	Vested	(186,788	)	$	19.45
	Canceled or forfeited	(105,915	)	$	22.59
	Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	916,733		$	22.29
Schedule of Performance Stock Units Activity	'
	Performance Stock Units: The following table summarizes information related to our performance stock units:
		Number of		Weighted Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair Value
	Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	431,858		$	22.79
	Granted	123,283		$	26.5
	Canceled or forfeited	(34,819	)	$	23.14
	Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	520,322		$	23.64

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac1

Investments and Acquisition Activities Investment and Acquisition Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	The purchase price totaled $1.8 billion (excluding assumed debt). The purchase price was comprised of the following (in thousands):
	Consideration for Ameristar equity	$	962,428
	Repayment of Ameristar debt	878,828
		$	1,841,256
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reflects the August 13, 2013, allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the excess recorded as goodwill (in thousands).
	Current and other assets	$	152,165
	Property and equipment	1,783,735
	Goodwill	860,805
	Intangible assets	524,200
	Other non-current assets	39,496
	Total assets	$	3,360,401
	Current liabilities	179,493
	Deferred tax liabilities	218,646
	Other long-term liabilities	8,109
	Debt	1,112,897
	Total liabilities	1,519,145
	Net assets acquired	$	1,841,256
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Acquired in a Business Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value of acquired property and equipment.
			As Recorded at Fair Value
			(in thousands)
	Land and land improvements		$	162,770
	Buildings, vessels and improvements		1,308,151
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		158,999
	Construction in progress (a)		153,815
	Total property and equipment acquired		$	1,783,735
	(a)	Included in acquired construction in progress were the assets of the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Lake Charles development. These assets were sold in November 2013. See Note 7, “Discontinued Operations,” for further detail.
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the August 13, 2013, fair value acquired intangible assets.
			As Recorded at Fair Value
			(in thousands)
	Trade names		$	187,000
	Gaming licenses		258,800
	Player relationships		74,000
	Favorable leasehold interests		4,400
	Total intangible assets acquired		$	524,200

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Dscontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	Revenues and net income (loss) from discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended, September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	—		$	44.2		$	41		$	139.2
	Income (loss) before income taxes	4.9			(140.9		)	5.2			(131.8		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(0.1		)	7.6			(0.1		)	2.9
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	4.8		$	(133.3	)	$	5.1		$	(128.9	)
	Net assets for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	11.8		$	275.3
	Other assets, net	8.9			47.2
	Total assets	$	20.7		$	322.5
	Liabilities:
	Total liabilities	$	0.3		$	26.1
	Net assets	$	20.4		$	296.4

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ1

Consolidating Condensed Financial Informtaion (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information	'
	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information
	Our subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries with approximately $62.9 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2014, that include a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries) have fully, unconditionally, jointly, and severally guaranteed the payment of all obligations under our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility. Separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the subsidiary guarantors are not included herein because management has determined that such information is not material to investors. In lieu thereof, we include the following:
		Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
		Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
											Entries			Consolidated
								(in millions)
	For the three months ended September 30, 2014
	Statement of Operations
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	503.6		$	—		$	—		$	503.6
	Food and beverage	—			31.3			—			—			31.3
	Lodging	—			14.5			—			—			14.5
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			18.8			—			—			18.9
		0.1			568.2			—			—			568.3
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			271.3			—			—			271.3
	Food and beverage	—			29.6			—			—			29.6
	Lodging	—			6.7			—			—			6.7
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			9.2			—			—			9.2
	General and administrative	24.1			87.2			0.1			—			111.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	0.7			0.8			0.1			—			1.6
	Depreciation and amortization	1.3			58.9			—			—			60.2
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	—			1.1			—			—			1.1
		26.1			464.8			0.2			—			491.1
	Operating income (loss)	(26.0		)	103.4			(0.2		)	—			77.2
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	69.7			—			—			(69.7		)	—
	Interest expense, net	(62.7		)	0.2			—			—			(62.5		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(19.0		)	103.6			(0.2		)	(69.7		)	14.7
	Management fee and inter-company interest	38.5			(38.5		)	—			—			—
	Income tax expense	(7.0		)	—			—			—			(7.0		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	12.5			65.1			(0.2		)	(69.7		)	7.7
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			4.8			—			—			4.8
	Net income (loss)	$	12.5		$	69.9		$	(0.2	)	$	(69.7	)	$	12.5
		Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
		Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
											Entries			Consolidated
								(in millions)
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Statement of Operations
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,477.00		$	—		$	—		$	1,477.00
	Food and beverage	—			89.2			—			—			89.2
	Lodging	—			39.1			—			—			39.1
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			50.8			—			—			50.9
		0.1			1,656.10			—			—			1,656.20
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			785.9			—			—			785.9
	Food and beverage	—			82.6			—			—			82.6
	Lodging	—			18.3			—			—			18.3
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			20.4			—			—			20.4
	General and administrative	75.4			248.2			0.2			—			323.8
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	3.3			8.3			0.3			—			11.9
	Depreciation and amortization	4.9			172.4			—			—			177.3
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	3			1.3			—			—			4.3
		86.6			1,337.40			0.5			—			1,424.50
	Operating income (loss)	(86.5		)	318.7			(0.5		)	—			231.7
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	210.8			—			—			(210.8		)	—
	Interest expense, net	(193.9		)	2.6			—			—			(191.3		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	—			—			—			(8.2		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(77.8		)	321.3			(0.5		)	(210.8		)	32.2
	Management fee and inter-company interest	115.1			(115.1		)	—			—			—
Income tax expense	(8.1		)	—			—			—			(8.1		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	29.2			206.2			(0.5		)	(210.8		)	24.1
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			5.2			(0.1		)	—			5.1
Net income (loss)	$	29.2		$	211.4		$	(0.6	)	$	(210.8	)	$	29.2
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the three months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Operations
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	371.6		$	—		$	—		$	371.6
Food and beverage	—			22.7			—			—			22.7
Lodging	—			9.7			—			—			9.7
Retail, entertainment and other	—			14.9			—			—			14.9
	—			418.9			—			—			418.9
Expenses:
Gaming	—			203.6			—			—			203.6
Food and beverage	—			19.9			—			—			19.9
Lodging	—			4			—			—			4
Retail, entertainment and other	—			7.4			—			—			7.4
General and administrative	22.3			62.1			0.1			—			84.5
Pre-opening, development and other costs	62.3			0.6			0.2			—			63.1
Depreciation and amortization	1.2			38.3			—			—			39.5
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	—			10.3			1.8			—			12.1
	85.8			346.2			2.1			—			434.1
Operating income (loss)	(85.8		)	72.7			(2.1		)	—			(15.2		)
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(86.8		)	—			—			86.8			—
Interest expense, net	(51.2		)	2.7			—			—			(48.5		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(254.6		)	75.4			(2.1		)	86.8			(94.5		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	26.8			(26.8		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	47.4			—			—			—			47.4
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(180.4		)	48.6			(2.1		)	86.8			(47.1		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			(133.3		)	—			—			(133.3		)
Net income (loss)	$	(180.4	)	$	(84.7	)	$	(2.1	)	$	86.8		$	(180.4	)
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Operations
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	847.7		$	—		$	—		$	847.7
Food and beverage	—			50.2			—			—			50.2
Lodging	—			20.5			—			—			20.5
Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			34.3			—			—			34.4
	0.1			952.7			—			—			952.8
Expenses:
Gaming	—			474.4			—			—			474.4
Food and beverage	—			43.8			—			—			43.8
Lodging	—			10.1			—			—			10.1
Retail, entertainment and other	—			16.7			—			—			16.7
General and administrative	37.6			147.8			0.4			—			185.8
Pre-opening, development and other costs	86.1			1.4			0.4			—			87.9
Depreciation and amortization	3.8			81.4			—			—			85.2
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	1.1			11.6			1.6			—			14.3
	128.6			787.2			2.4			—			918.2
Operating income (loss)	(128.5		)	165.5			(2.4		)	—			34.6
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(86.0		)	—			—			86			—
Interest expense, net	(109.4		)	4			—			—			(105.4		)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(92.2		)	—			(92.2		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(354.7		)	169.5			(94.6		)	86			(193.8		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	32			(32.0		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	51.8			—			—			—			51.8
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(270.9		)	137.5			(94.6		)	86			(142.0		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	—			(128.9		)	—			—			(128.9		)
Net income (loss)	$	(270.9	)	$	8.6		$	(94.6	)	$	86		$	(270.9	)
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
As of September 30, 2014
Balance Sheet
Current assets	$	37.5		$	178.2		$	24.1		$	—		$	239.8
Property and equipment, net	38.4			3,000.30			5.6			—			3,044.30
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			529.5			5			—			534.5
Other non-current assets	60.9			4.4			24.2			—			89.5
Investment in subsidiaries	4,389.80			—			—			(4,389.8		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.5			17.2			0.7			(0.7		)	20.7
Inter-company	—			281.7			—			(281.7		)	—
Total assets	$	4,530.10		$	4,927.30		$	62.9		$	(4,672.2	)	$	4,848.10
Current liabilities	$	83.1		$	298		$	0.3		$	—		$	381.4
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)	3,982.20			0.1			—			—			3,982.30
Other non-current liabilities	(75.3		)	288.4			—			—			213.1
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			0.3			—			—			0.3
Inter-company	280.5			—			1.2			(281.7		)	—
Total liabilities	4,270.50			586.8			1.5			(281.7		)	4,577.10
Total Pinnacle stockholders' equity	259.6			4,340.50			50			(4,390.5		)	259.6
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.4			—			11.4
Total equity	259.6			4,340.50			61.4			(4,390.5		)	271
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,530.10		$	4,927.30		$	62.9		$	(4,672.2	)	$	4,848.10
As of December 31, 2013
Balance Sheet
Current assets	$	66.8		$	185.1		$	27.7		$	—		$	279.6
Property and equipment, net	47.7			2,983.10			5.7			—			3,036.50
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			495.1			5			—			500.1
Other non-current assets	72.6			6.6			22.1			—			101.3
Investment in subsidiaries	4,508.30			—			—			(4,508.3		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.4			318.8			1.2			(0.8		)	322.6
Inter-company	—			55.7			—			(55.7		)	—
Total assets	$	4,698.80		$	4,960.40		$	65		$	(4,564.8	)	$	5,159.40
Current liabilities	$	114.8		$	231.4		$	0.1		$	—		$	346.3
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)	4,363.90			0.1			—			—			4,364.00
Other non-current liabilities	(48.1		)	245.9			—			—			197.8
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			26.1			—			—			26.1
Inter-company	54.5			—			1.2			(55.7		)	—
Total liabilities	4,485.10			503.5			1.3			(55.7		)	4,934.20
Pinnacle stockholder's equity	213.7			4,456.90			52.2			(4,509.1		)	213.7
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.5			—			11.5
Total equity	213.7			4,456.90			63.7			(4,509.1		)	225.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,698.80		$	4,960.40		$	65		$	(4,564.8	)	$	5,159.40
	Pinnacle			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Entertainment,			Subsidiaries(a)			Guarantor			and			Entertainment,
	Inc.						Subsidiaries(b)			Eliminating			Inc.
										Entries			Consolidated
							(in millions)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	111.3		$	163.1		$	(3.9	)	$	—		$	270.5
Capital expenditures	(9.8		)	(178.9		)	—			—			(188.7		)
Purchase of intangible assets	—			(25.0		)	—			—			(25.0		)
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	—			258.5			—			—			258.5
Escrow refund	—			25			—			—			25
Restricted cash	5.9			—			—			—			5.9
Intercompany and other	258.2			(258.8		)	0.4			—			(0.2		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	254.3			(179.2		)	0.4			—			75.5
Proceeds from credit facility	217.6			—			—			—			217.6
Repayments under credit facility	(146.3		)	—			—			—			(146.3		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(466.5		)	—			—			—			(466.5		)
Other	5.6			—			—			—			5.6
Cash used in financing activities	(389.6		)	—			—			—			(389.6		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(24.0		)	(16.1		)	(3.5		)	—			(43.6		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28.6			142.3			27.7			—			198.6
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	4.6		$	126.2		$	24.2		$	—		$	155
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,873.5	)	$	1,981.50		$	21.8		$	—		$	129.8
Capital expenditures	(3.7		)	(184.8		)	—			—			(188.5		)
Payments for business combinations, net	—			(1,749.7		)	—			—			(1,749.7		)
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	4.4			—			(5.8		)	—			(1.4		)
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations	—			29.2			—			—			29.2
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.3		)	—			(6.3		)
Other	—			—			(2.4		)	—			(2.4		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0.7			(1,905.3		)	(14.5		)	—			(1,919.1		)
Proceeds from credit facility	1,651.70			—			—			—			1,651.70
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	850			—			—			—			850
Net repayments under credit facility	(5.1		)	—			—			—			(5.1		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(567.5		)	—			—			—			(567.5		)
Other	(33.5		)	—			—			—			(33.5		)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,895.60			—			—			—			1,895.60
Change in cash and cash equivalents	22.8			76.2			7.3			—			106.3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5.5			73.5			22.8			—			101.8
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	28.3		$	149.7		$	30.1		$	—		$	208.1
_______________________
(a)	As of September 30, 2014, the following material subsidiaries are identified as guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes: Belterra Resort Indiana, LLC; Boomtown, LLC; Casino Magic, LLC; Louisiana-I Gaming; PNK (Baton Rouge) Partnership; PNK (BOSSIER CITY), Inc.; PNK Development 7, LLC; PNK Development 8, LLC; PNK Development 9, LLC; PNK (LAKE CHARLES), L.L.C.; PNK (Ohio), LLC; PNK (Ohio) II, LLC; PNK (Ohio) III, LLC; PNK (River City), LLC; PNK (SAM), LLC; PNK (SAZ), LLC; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, Inc.; Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc.; Cactus Pete’s, Inc.; Ameristar East Chicago Holdings, LLC; Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC; and Ameristar Casino Springfield, LLC. In addition, certain other immaterial subsidiaries are also guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes.
(b)	Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $62.9 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2014 that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
		For the three months ended September 30,						For the nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Revenues:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	305.1		$	194.5		$	881.8		$	368.7
	South segment (a)	202.6			192.2			606.2			549.8
	West segment (a)	58.5			30.3			162.8			30.3
		566.2			417			1,650.80			948.8
	Corporate and other	2.2			1.9			5.4			4
	Total revenues	$	568.4		$	418.9		$	1,656.20		$	952.8
	Adjusted EBITDA (b):
	Midwest segment (a)	$	86.5		$	55.3		$	260.8		$	100.4
	South segment (a)	56.3			56.5			183			150.4
	West segment (a)	22.2			10.6			59.5			10.6
		165			122.4			503.3			261.4
	Corporate expenses and other (c)	(23.5		)	(19.8		)	(68.0		)	(31.2		)
	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)	$	141.5		$	102.6		$	435.3		$	230.2
	Other benefits (costs):
	Depreciation and amortization	(60.2		)	(39.5		)	(177.2		)	(85.2		)
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	(1.6		)	(63.1		)	(11.9		)	(87.9		)
	Non-cash share-based compensation expense	(1.4		)	(3.1		)	(10.1		)	(8.2		)
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(1.1		)	(12.1		)	(4.4		)	(14.3		)
	Interest expense, net	(62.5		)	(48.5		)	(191.3		)	(105.4		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			—			(92.2		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	—			(30.8		)	(8.2		)	(30.8		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(7.0		)	47.4			(8.1		)	51.8
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	7.7		$	(47.1	)	$	24.1		$	(142.0	)
		For the nine months ended
		September 30,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Capital expenditures:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	137.1		$	100.7
	South segment (a)	37.7			57.3
	West segment (a)	3.4			0.8
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	10.5			29.7
		$	188.7		$	188.5
	(a)	See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.
	(b)	We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
	(c)	Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Beginning in the 2013 third quarter, we changed the methodology used to allocate corporate expenses to our reportable segments.  Historically, we allocated direct and some indirect expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters to each property.  Expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters that were related to property operations, but not directly attributable to a specific property, were allocated, typically on a pro rata basis, to each property.  Only the remaining corporate expenses that were not related to an operating property were retained in the Corporate expense category. Under our new methodology, only corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property were allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are now allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. The change in methodology increases Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments with a corresponding increase in corporate expense, resulting in no impact to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 12, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Other Properties

Other Properties

Other Properties

Other Properties

Antidilutive securities

Antidilutive securities

Antidilutive securities

Antidilutive securities

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

Ameristar

Ameristar

Ameristar

Ameristar

Ameristar

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Ameristar

Belterra Park [Member]

Belterra Park [Member]

Belterra Park [Member]

Belterra Park [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Costs Associated With REIT Spin Off

$900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)

'

'

0

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

50,000,000

'

Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets

'

'

25,000,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

800,000

'

'

600,000

800,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Held-to-maturity Securities

14,800,000

'

14,800,000

'

14,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,100,000

30,100,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

26,700,000

26,700,000

'

'

3,400,000

3,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory Notes

11,500,000

'

11,500,000

'

9,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory Notes, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,500,000

16,500,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

18,500,000

16,484,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

3,993,300,000

'

3,993,300,000

'

4,380,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,112,897,000

565,000,000

493,618,000

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,066,800,000

4,511,900,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

4,066,800,000

4,511,900,000

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Land Not Used In Operations

35,700,000

'

35,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Land and land improvements

391,700,000

'

391,700,000

'

391,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

162,770,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Buildings, vessels and improvements

2,649,800,000

'

2,649,800,000

'

2,492,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,308,151,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

693,500,000

'

693,500,000

'

633,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

158,999,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Construction in Progress

118,500,000

'

118,500,000

'

175,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

153,815,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross

3,853,500,000

'

3,853,500,000

'

3,692,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: accumulated depreciation

-809,200,000

'

-809,200,000

'

-656,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Customer Loyalty Program Liability

26,300,000

'

26,300,000

'

18,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,800,000

'

'

'

'

Complimentary Revenues, Food and Beverage

35,200,000

28,100,000

102,100,000

61,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Complimentary Revenues, Lodging

15,400,000

14,900,000

46,600,000

29,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Complimentary Revenues, Other

4,900,000

3,700,000

13,000,000

9,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total promotional allowances

55,500,000

46,700,000

161,700,000

100,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense

42,100,000

31,800,000

119,400,000

72,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gaming taxes

142,100,000

105,300,000

416,400,000

244,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pre-opening, development and other costs

1,598,000

63,086,000

11,917,000

87,851,000

'

1,000,000

[1]

500,000

[1]

1,500,000

[1]

1,400,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-200,000

[2]

62,300,000

[2]

2,200,000

86,000,000

'

'

'

'

800,000

[3]

300,000

[3]

8,200,000

[3]

500,000

[3]

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.8

1.9

1.5

1.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

3,044,296,000

'

3,044,296,000

'

3,036,515,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,783,735,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued Payment to Acquire Intangible Assets

'

'

($25,000,000)

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,000,000

'

[1]

(3)Includes $0.9 million of cost associated with our evaluation of a REIT spin-off transaction.

[2]

(1)Amounts principally comprised of legal and advisory expenses, severance charges and other costs and expenses related to the financing and integration of the acquisition of Ameristar.

[3]

(2)Belterra Park opened on May 1, 2014.

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

Term loans [Domain]

Term Loan B1 [Domain]

Term loan B2 [Domain]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Term B1 due 2016 [Domain]

Term B2 due 2020 [Domain]

Term B2 due 2020 [Domain]

Senior Notes due 2021 [Domain]

Senior Notes due 2021 [Domain]

Senior Notes Due April 2021 [Member]

Senior Notes Due April 2021 [Member]

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2020

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2020

Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2020

Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]

Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]

Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Gross

$3,960,000,000

'

$3,960,000,000

'

$4,355,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

$564,900,000

$493,600,000

$202,000,000

$830,000,000

$1,094,500,000

$850,000,000

$850,000,000

$1,040,000,000

$1,040,000,000

'

$325,000,000

$325,000,000

'

$350,000,000

$350,000,000

$100,000

$100,000

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net

33,300,000

'

33,300,000

'

24,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

-7,700,000

-22,300,000

-26,000,000

0

0

55,600,000

58,600,000

'

0

0

'

0

0

0

0

'

Long-term Debt

3,993,300,000

'

3,993,300,000

'

4,380,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

565,000,000

493,618,000

194,300,000

807,700,000

1,068,500,000

850,000,000

850,000,000

1,095,550,000

1,098,500,000

'

325,000,000

325,000,000

'

350,000,000

350,000,000

100,000

100,000

'

Long Term Debt, Current Maturity, Outstanding Principal

-11,000,000

'

-11,000,000

'

-16,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Debt, Current Maturities, Unamortized Discount Premium

0

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Current Maturities

-11,006,000

'

-11,006,000

'

-16,006,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Outstanding Principal

3,949,000,000

'

3,949,000,000

'

4,339,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long Term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Unamortized Discount Premium

33,300,000

'

33,300,000

'

24,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt less current portion

3,982,253,000

'

3,982,253,000

'

4,364,045,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000,000

500,000,000

1,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line Of Credit, Revolving Credit Commitment

1,000,000,000

'

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of Credit, amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,040,000,000

'

'

325,000,000

'

'

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

6.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

'

'

7.75%

'

'

8.75%

'

'

'

8.63%

Premium Included In Recorded Fair Value Of Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

72,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of debt

'

'

'

'

'

835,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

318,000,000

'

'

341,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

62,800,000

49,700,000

194,300,000

108,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income

0

-200,000

-300,000

-400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized interest

-300,000

-1,000,000

-2,700,000

-2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense, net

62,498,000

48,500,000

191,290,000

105,420,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

$0

$30,830,000

$8,234,000

$30,830,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$30,830,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'
Income tax benefit (expense)	($6,975,000)	$47,378,000	($8,072,000)	$51,766,000
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	47.50%	50.10%	25.10%	26.70%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	'	'	$3,000,000	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share Based Awards, Cumulative Shares Issued	7,100,000	'	7,100,000	'
Share-based awards available for grant	900,000	'	900,000	'
Share-based compensation expense	$1,400,000	$3,100,000	$10,100,000	$8,200,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	6,400,000	8,500,000	6,352,000	8,488,000
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unamortized compensation costs	18,200,000	'	18,200,000	'
Unamortized compensation costs, period for recognition	'2 years	'	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$8.93	$10.53
Options Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	'	'	5,509,246	'
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	'	'	$14.01	'
Options granted, shares	'	'	894,180	'
Options granted, weighted average exercise price	'	'	$23.41	'
Options exercised, shares	'	'	-458,545	'
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price	'	'	$13.58	'
Options cancelled or forfeited, shares	'	'	-292,813	'
Options cancelled or forfeited, weighted average exercise price	'	'	$20.09	'
Options outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,652,068	'	5,652,068	'
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$15.22	'	$15.22	'
Options exercisable at September 30, 2014, shares	3,130,278	'	3,130,278	'
Options exercisable at September 30, 2014, weighted average exercise price	$12.77	'	$12.77	'
Expected to vest after September 30, 2014	1,898,726	'	1,898,726	'
Expected to Vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.55	'	$18.55	'
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unamortized compensation costs	$18,100,000	'	$18,100,000	'
Unamortized compensation costs, period for recognition	'2 years	'	'	'
Unvested Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	'	'	629,518	'
Unvested shares at January 1, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$20.11	'
Unvested shares granted	'	'	579,918	'
Unvested shares ganted, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$23.55	'
Unvested shares vested	'	'	-186,788	'
Unvested shares vested, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$19.45	'
Unvested shares cancelled/forfeited	'	'	-105,915	'
Unvested shares cancelled/forfeited, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$22.59	'
Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	916,733	'	916,733	'
Unvested shares at September 30, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value	$22.29	'	$22.29	'
Performance Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Unvested Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Unvested shares at January 1, 2014	'	'	431,858	'
Unvested shares at January 1, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$0	'
Unvested shares granted	'	'	123,283	'
Unvested shares ganted, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$26.50	'
Unvested shares cancelled/forfeited	'	'	34,819	'
Unvested shares cancelled/forfeited, Weighted-average grant date fair value	'	'	$23.14	'
Unvested shares at September 30, 2014	520,322	'	520,322	'
Unvested shares at September 30, 2014, Weighted-average grant date fair value	$23.64	'	$23.64	'

Writedowns_reserves_and_recove1

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Write Downs Reserves And Recoveries Net Abstract	'	'	'	'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	$1,135,000	$12,130,000	$4,359,000	$14,259,000
Losses associated with property lease abandonment charges	'	'	2,900,000	'
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	'	'	$0	$10,000,000

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac2

Investments and Acquisition Activities (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 12, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 12, 2013

ACDL [Member]

Farmworks

Midwest [Member]

Ameristar [Member]

Retama Partners

Retama Partners

South Segment [Member]

West [Member]

Ameristar [Member]

Ameristar [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment

'

'

'

$94,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition Costs Excluding Assumption Of Long Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000,000

Business Acquisition Transaction, Consideration for Equity Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

962,428,000

Repayments of Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

878,828,000

'

Current and other assets

260,496,000

602,178,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

152,165,000

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

3,044,296,000

3,036,515,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,783,735,000

Goodwill

919,282,000

919,282,000

'

'

'

551,100,000

860,800,000

'

'

231,500,000

78,200,000

'

860,805,000

Intangible Assets

534,515,000

500,084,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

524,200,000

Other non-current assets

81,858,000

87,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39,496,000

Total assets

4,848,114,000

5,159,426,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,360,401,000

Current liabilities

381,739,000

372,406,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

179,493,000

Deferred tax liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

218,646,000

Other long-term liabilities

40,107,000

31,321,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,109,000

Total liabilities

4,577,101,000

4,934,256,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,519,145,000

Business Acquisition, Net Assets Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,841,256,000

Land and land improvements

391,700,000

391,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

162,770,000

Buildings, vessels and improvements

2,649,800,000

2,492,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,308,151,000

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

693,500,000

633,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

158,999,000

Construction in Progress

118,500,000

175,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

153,815,000

Business Acquisition, Total Property and Equipment Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,783,735,000

Trade names

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

187,000,000

Gaming licenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

258,800,000

Player relationships

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

74,000,000

Favorable leasehold interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,400,000

Acquired Intangible Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

524,200,000

Long Term Purchase Commitment, Invested Amount

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.50%

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Acquired During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible Asset, Acquired During Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount

'

'

176,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Promissory Notes

11,500,000

9,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Held-to-maturity, Corporate Bonds

11,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

$3,993,300,000

$4,380,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,112,897,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Lumiere Place [Member]

Ameristar Lake Charles [Domain]

Ameristar Lake Charles [Domain]

Boomtown Reno [Member]

Boomtown Reno [Member]

Atlantic City [Member]

Springfield, Massachusetts [Domain]

acre

acre

acre

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of

'

$144,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Divestiture of Business, Purchase price, Net

'

'

'

'

'

252,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Divested from Deconsolidation

'

'

'

'

'

11,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Refund to Buyer from Divestiture of Business, Working Capital Adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

180,000,000

'

'

'

'

Proceed From Divestiture of Business, Retained Cash Deposit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,000,000

'

'

'

'

Proceed From Divestiture of Business, Additional Cash Consideration, Subsequent Release From Escrow

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800,000

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

Adjustment to Sale Estimate, Due to Recoveries, Gain Recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Acres Sold From Discontinued Operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27

'

'

'

Proceeds From Sale of Land, Discontinued Operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,500,000

'

'

'

Gain From Sale of Land, Discontinued Operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,400,000

'

'

'

Proceed From Divestiture of Business, Deferred Consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

Reno additional land for sale (acres)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40

Number of acres held from discontinued operation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

783

'

'

Proceeds from Sale of Property Held-for-sale

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,500,000

'

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

0

44,200,000

41,000,000

139,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating loss

4,900,000

-140,900,000

5,200,000

-131,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income tax benefit

-100,000

7,600,000

100,000

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment

11,800,000

'

11,800,000

'

275,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets, net

8,900,000

'

8,900,000

'

47,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

20,687,000

'

20,687,000

'

322,548,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale

277,000

'

277,000

'

26,103,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net assets

$20,400,000

'

$20,400,000

'

$296,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Boomtown New Orleans	River Downs	River Downs	Indiana Income Tax	Minimum	Maximum [Member]
			Room				Indiana Income Tax	Indiana Income Tax
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	'	'	'	'	'	'	'2005	'2007
Amended Guaranteed Maximum Price	'	'	'	'	$131	'	'	'
Guaranteed Maximum Construction Costs	'	'	14.2	20.1	'	'	'	'
Self Insurance Reserve	26.7	26.2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term Contract, Number of Guest Rooms	'	'	150	'	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Examination, Proposed Adjustment Excluding Interest and Penalties	'	'	'	'	'	$7.30	'	'

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ2

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions	'		'		'		'		'
Subsidiary reporting information, assets	$62,900,000		'		$62,900,000		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	503,620,000		371,624,000		1,477,041,000		847,650,000		'
Food and beverage	31,259,000		22,692,000		89,228,000		50,228,000		'
Lodging	14,485,000		9,677,000		39,077,000		20,509,000		'
Retail, entertainment and other	18,935,000		14,934,000		50,912,000		34,414,000		'
Revenues	568,299,000		418,927,000		1,656,258,000		952,801,000		'
Expenses and other costs:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	271,306,000		203,599,000		785,903,000		474,432,000		'
Food and beverage	29,648,000		19,858,000		82,559,000		43,807,000		'
Lodging	6,715,000		3,981,000		18,309,000		10,130,000		'
Retail, entertainment and other	9,184,000		7,416,000		20,448,000		16,744,000		'
Pre-opening, development and other costs	1,598,000		63,086,000		11,917,000		87,851,000		'
Depreciation and amortization	60,152,000		39,528,000		177,236,000		85,183,000		'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	1,135,000		12,130,000		4,359,000		14,259,000		'
Total expenses and other costs	491,107,000		434,117,000		1,424,515,000		918,164,000		'
Operating income	77,192,000		-15,190,000		231,743,000		34,637,000		'
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	0		0		0		0		'
Interest expense, net	-62,498,000		-48,500,000		-191,290,000		-105,420,000		'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		30,830,000		8,234,000		30,830,000		'
Loss from equity method investments	0		0		0		-92,181,000		'
Management fee and inter-company interest	0		0		0		0		'
Income tax (expense) benefit	6,975,000		-47,378,000		8,072,000		-51,766,000		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,719,000		-47,142,000		24,147,000		-142,028,000		'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	4,771,000		-133,275,000		5,096,000		-128,887,000		'
Net income (loss)	12,490,000		-180,417,000		29,243,000		-270,915,000		'
Balance Sheets	'		'		'		'		'
Current assets	239,800,000		'		239,800,000		'		279,600,000
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	3,044,296,000		'		3,044,296,000		'		3,036,515,000
Goodwill	919,282,000		'		919,282,000		'		919,282,000
Intangible assets, net	534,515,000		'		534,515,000		'		500,084,000
Other non-current assets	89,500,000		'		89,500,000		'		101,300,000
Investment in subsidiaries	0		'		0		'		0
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	20,687,000		'		20,687,000		'		322,548,000
Inter-company	0		'		0		'		0
Total assets	4,848,114,000		'		4,848,114,000		'		5,159,426,000
Current liabilities	381,400,000		'		381,400,000		'		346,300,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,982,253,000		'		3,982,253,000		'		4,364,045,000
Other non-current liabilities	213,100,000		'		213,100,000		'		197,800,000
Liabilities of dicontinued operations held for sale	277,000		'		277,000		'		26,103,000
Inter-company	0		'		0		'		'
Additional paid-in capital	1,092,418,000		'		1,092,418,000		'		1,075,896,000
Accumulated deficit	-768,754,000		'		-768,754,000		'		-798,049,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	259,599,000		'		259,599,000		'		213,704,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	11,414,000		'		11,414,000		'		11,466,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	271,013,000		'		271,013,000		'		225,170,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,848,114,000		'		4,848,114,000		'		5,159,426,000
Statements of Cash Flows	'		'		'		'		'
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		270,527,000		129,835,000		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		188,722,000		188,457,000		'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'		'		0		1,749,736,000		'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'		'		25,000,000		0		'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	'		'		258,507,000		29,246,000		'
Escrow refund	'		'		25,000,000		0		'
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	'		'		0		5,853,000		'
Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments	'		'		0		4,428,000		'
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	'		'		-5,925,000		0		'
Cash used in investing activities	'		'		75,471,000		-1,919,132,000		'
Proceeds from credit facility	'		'		217,600,000		1,651,702,000		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'		'		0		850,000,000		'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'		'		0		567,462,000		'
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	6,400,000		8,500,000		6,352,000		8,488,000		'
Cash provided by financing activities	'		'		-389,584,000		1,895,622,000		'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'		'		-43,586,000		106,325,000		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	'		'		198,575,000		101,792,000		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	154,989,000		208,117,000		154,989,000		208,117,000		'
Total Attributable to Parent Company	'		'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0		0		0		0		'
Food and beverage	0		0		0		0		'
Lodging	0		0		0		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	100,000		0		100,000		100,000		'
Revenues	100,000		0		100,000		100,000		'
Expenses and other costs:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0		0		0		0		'
Food and beverage	0		0		0		0		'
Lodging	0		0		0		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	0		0		0		0		'
General and administrative and other	24,100,000		22,300,000		75,400,000		37,600,000		'
Pre-opening, development and other costs	700,000		62,300,000		3,300,000		86,100,000		'
Depreciation and amortization	1,300,000		1,200,000		4,900,000		3,800,000		'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	0		0		3,000,000		1,100,000		'
Total expenses and other costs	26,100,000		85,800,000		86,600,000		128,600,000		'
Operating income	-26,000,000		-85,800,000		-86,500,000		-128,500,000		'
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	69,700,000		-86,800,000		210,800,000		-86,000,000		'
Interest expense, net	-62,700,000		-51,200,000		193,900,000		109,400,000		'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		-30,800,000		8,200,000		30,800,000		'
Loss from equity method investments	'		'		'		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	-19,000,000		-254,600,000		-77,800,000		-354,700,000		'
Management fee and inter-company interest	38,500,000		26,800,000		-115,100,000		-32,000,000		'
Income tax (expense) benefit	7,000,000		-47,400,000		-8,100,000		51,800,000		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	12,500,000		-180,400,000		29,200,000		-270,900,000		'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0		0		0		0		'
Net income (loss)	12,500,000		-180,400,000		29,200,000		-270,900,000		'
Balance Sheets	'		'		'		'		'
Current assets	37,500,000		'		37,500,000		'		66,800,000
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	38,400,000		'		38,400,000		'		47,700,000
Goodwill	0		'		0		'		0
Intangible assets, net	0		'		0		'		0
Other non-current assets	60,900,000		'		60,900,000		'		72,600,000
Investment in subsidiaries	4,389,800,000		'		4,389,800,000		'		4,508,300,000
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3,500,000		'		3,500,000		'		3,400,000
Inter-company	0		'		0		'		0
Total assets	4,530,100,000		'		4,530,100,000		'		4,698,800,000
Current liabilities	83,100,000		'		83,100,000		'		114,800,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,982,200,000		'		3,982,200,000		'		4,363,900,000
Other non-current liabilities	-75,300,000		'		-75,300,000		'		-48,100,000
Liabilities of dicontinued operations held for sale	0		'		0		'		0
Inter-company	280,500,000		'		280,500,000		'		54,500,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	259,600,000		'		259,600,000		'		213,700,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		'		0		'		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	259,600,000		'		259,600,000		'		'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,530,100,000		'		4,530,100,000		'		4,698,800,000
Statements of Cash Flows	'		'		'		'		'
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		111,300,000		-1,873,500,000		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		-9,800,000		-3,700,000		'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'		'		'		0		'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'		'		0		'		'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	'		'		0		0		'
Escrow refund	'		'		0		'		'
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	'		'		'		4,400,000		'
Loans receivable, net	'		'		'		0		'
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	'		'		5,900,000		'		'
Other Investing Activities	'		'		258,200,000		0		'
Cash used in investing activities	'		'		254,300,000		700,000		'
Proceeds from credit facility	'		'		217,600,000		1,651,700,000		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'		'		'		850,000,000		'
Repayments under Credit Facility	'		'		-146,300,000		-5,100,000		'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'		'		-466,500,000		-567,500,000		'
Other Financing Activities	'		'		5,600,000		-33,500,000		'
Cash provided by financing activities	'		'		-389,600,000		1,895,600,000		'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'		22,800,000		-24,000,000		'		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	'		28,300,000		28,600,000		5,500,000		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	4,600,000		'		4,600,000		'		'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	503,600,000	[1]	371,600,000	[1]	1,477,000,000		847,700,000		'
Food and beverage	31,300,000	[1]	22,700,000	[1]	89,200,000		50,200,000		'
Lodging	14,500,000	[1]	9,700,000	[1]	39,100,000		20,500,000		'
Retail, entertainment and other	18,800,000	[1]	14,900,000	[1]	50,800,000		34,300,000		'
Revenues	568,200,000	[1]	418,900,000	[1]	1,656,100,000		952,700,000		'
Expenses and other costs:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	271,300,000	[1]	203,600,000	[1]	785,900,000		474,400,000		'
Food and beverage	29,600,000	[1]	19,900,000	[1]	82,600,000		43,800,000		'
Lodging	6,700,000	[1]	4,000,000	[1]	18,300,000		10,100,000		'
Retail, entertainment and other	9,200,000	[1]	7,400,000	[1]	20,400,000		16,700,000		'
General and administrative and other	87,200,000	[1]	62,100,000	[1]	248,200,000		147,800,000		'
Pre-opening, development and other costs	800,000	[1]	600,000	[1]	8,300,000		1,400,000		'
Depreciation and amortization	58,900,000	[1]	38,300,000	[1]	172,400,000		81,400,000		'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	1,100,000	[1]	10,300,000	[1]	1,300,000		11,600,000		'
Total expenses and other costs	464,800,000	[1]	346,200,000	[1]	1,337,400,000		787,200,000		'
Operating income	103,400,000	[1]	72,700,000	[1]	318,700,000		165,500,000		'
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	0	[1]	0	[1]	0		0		'
Interest expense, net	200,000	[1]	2,700,000	[1]	-2,600,000		-4,000,000		'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		0	[1]	0		0		'
Loss from equity method investments	'		'		'		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	103,600,000	[1]	75,400,000	[1]	321,300,000		169,500,000		'
Management fee and inter-company interest	-38,500,000	[1]	-26,800,000	[1]	115,100,000		32,000,000		'
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	[1]	0	[1]	0		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	65,100,000	[1]	48,600,000	[1]	206,200,000		137,500,000		'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	4,800,000	[1]	-133,300,000	[1]	5,200,000		-128,900,000		'
Net income (loss)	69,900,000	[1]	-84,700,000	[1]	211,400,000		8,600,000		'
Balance Sheets	'		'		'		'		'
Current assets	178,200,000	[1]	'		178,200,000	[1]	'		185,100,000	[1]
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	3,000,300,000	[1]	'		3,000,300,000	[1]	'		2,983,100,000	[1]
Goodwill	916,000,000		'		916,000,000		'		916,000,000
Intangible assets, net	529,500,000		'		529,500,000		'		495,100,000
Other non-current assets	4,400,000	[1]	'		4,400,000	[1]	'		6,600,000	[1]
Investment in subsidiaries	0	[1]	'		0	[1]	'		0	[1]
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	17,200,000	[1]	'		17,200,000	[1]	'		318,800,000	[1]
Inter-company	281,700,000	[1]	'		281,700,000	[1]	'		55,700,000	[1]
Total assets	4,927,300,000	[1]	'		4,927,300,000	[1]	'		4,960,400,000	[1]
Current liabilities	298,000,000	[1]	'		298,000,000	[1]	'		231,400,000	[1]
Long-term debt less current portion	100,000	[1]	'		100,000	[1]	'		100,000	[1]
Other non-current liabilities	288,400,000	[1]	'		288,400,000	[1]	'		245,900,000	[1]
Liabilities of dicontinued operations held for sale	300,000		'		300,000		'		26,100,000	[1]
Inter-company	0	[1]	'		0	[1]	'		0	[1]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	4,340,500,000	[1]	'		4,340,500,000	[1]	'		4,456,900,000	[1]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	[1]	'		0	[1]	'		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	4,340,500,000	[1]	'		4,340,500,000	[1]	'		'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,927,300,000	[1]	'		4,927,300,000	[1]	'		4,960,400,000	[1]
Statements of Cash Flows	'		'		'		'		'
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		163,100,000	[1]	1,981,500,000	[1]	'
Capital expenditures	'		'		-178,900,000		-184,800,000		'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'		'		'		-1,749,700,000		'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'		'		-25,000,000		'		'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	'		'		258,500,000		29,200,000		'
Escrow refund	'		'		25,000,000		'		'
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	'		'		'		0		'
Loans receivable, net	'		'		'		0		'
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	'		'		0		'		'
Other Investing Activities	'		'		-258,800,000		0		'
Cash used in investing activities	'		'		-179,200,000	[1]	-1,905,300,000	[1]	'
Proceeds from credit facility	'		'		0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'		'		'		0	[1]	'
Repayments under Credit Facility	'		'		0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'		'		0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Other Financing Activities	'		'		0		0		'
Cash provided by financing activities	'		'		0	[1]	0	[1]	'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'		76,200,000	[1]	-16,100,000	[1]	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	'		149,700,000	[1]	142,300,000	[1]	73,500,000	[1]	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	126,200,000	[1]	'		126,200,000	[1]	'		'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Food and beverage	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Lodging	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Revenues	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Expenses and other costs:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Food and beverage	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Lodging	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
General and administrative and other	100,000	[2]	100,000	[2]	200,000		400,000		'
Pre-opening, development and other costs	100,000	[2]	200,000	[2]	300,000		400,000		'
Depreciation and amortization	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	0	[2]	1,800,000	[2]	0		1,600,000		'
Total expenses and other costs	200,000	[2]	2,100,000	[2]	500,000		2,400,000		'
Operating income	-200,000	[2]	-2,100,000	[2]	-500,000		-2,400,000		'
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Interest expense, net	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		0	[2]	0		0		'
Loss from equity method investments	'		'		'		-92,200,000		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	-200,000	[2]	-2,100,000	[2]	-500,000		-94,600,000		'
Management fee and inter-company interest	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	[2]	0	[2]	0		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-200,000	[2]	-2,100,000	[2]	-500,000		-94,600,000		'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	[2]	0	[2]	-100,000		0		'
Net income (loss)	-200,000	[2]	-2,100,000	[2]	-600,000		-94,600,000		'
Balance Sheets	'		'		'		'		'
Current assets	24,100,000	[2]	'		24,100,000	[2]	'		27,700,000	[2]
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	5,600,000	[2]	'		5,600,000	[2]	'		5,700,000	[2]
Goodwill	3,300,000		'		3,300,000		'		3,300,000
Intangible assets, net	5,000,000		'		5,000,000		'		5,000,000
Other non-current assets	24,200,000	[2]	'		24,200,000	[2]	'		22,100,000	[2]
Investment in subsidiaries	0	[2]	'		0	[2]	'		0	[2]
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	700,000	[2]	'		700,000	[2]	'		1,200,000	[2]
Inter-company	0	[2]	'		0	[2]	'		0	[2]
Total assets	62,900,000	[2]	'		62,900,000	[2]	'		65,000,000	[2]
Current liabilities	300,000	[2]	'		300,000	[2]	'		100,000	[2]
Long-term debt less current portion	0	[2]	'		0	[2]	'		0	[2]
Other non-current liabilities	0	[2]	'		0	[2]	'		0	[2]
Liabilities of dicontinued operations held for sale	0		'		0		'		0	[2]
Inter-company	1,200,000	[2]	'		1,200,000	[2]	'		1,200,000	[2]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	50,000,000	[2]	'		50,000,000	[2]	'		52,200,000	[2]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	11,400,000		'		11,400,000		'		11,500,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	61,400,000		'		61,400,000		'		'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	62,900,000	[2]	'		62,900,000	[2]	'		65,000,000	[2]
Statements of Cash Flows	'		'		'		'		'
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		-3,900,000	[2]	21,800,000	[2]	'
Capital expenditures	'		'		0		0		'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'		'		'		0		'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'		'		0		'		'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	'		'		0		0		'
Escrow refund	'		'		0		'		'
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	'		'		'		-5,800,000		'
Loans receivable, net	'		'		'		-6,300,000		'
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	'		'		0		'		'
Other Investing Activities	'		'		400,000		-2,400,000		'
Cash used in investing activities	'		'		400,000	[2]	-14,500,000	[2]	'
Proceeds from credit facility	'		'		0	[2]	0	[2]	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'		'		'		0	[2]	'
Repayments under Credit Facility	'		'		0	[2]	0	[2]	'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'		'		0	[2]	0	[2]	'
Other Financing Activities	'		'		0		0		'
Cash provided by financing activities	'		'		0	[2]	0	[2]	'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'		7,300,000	[2]	-3,500,000	[2]	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	'		30,100,000	[2]	27,700,000	[2]	22,800,000	[2]	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	24,200,000	[2]	'		24,200,000	[2]	'		'
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries	'		'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0		0		'		0		'
Food and beverage	0		0		'		0		'
Lodging	0		0		'		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	0		0		'		0		'
Revenues	0		0		'		0		'
Expenses and other costs:	'		'		'		'		'
Gaming	0		0		'		0		'
Food and beverage	0		0		'		0		'
Lodging	0		0		'		0		'
Retail, entertainment and other	0		0		'		0		'
General and administrative and other	0		0		'		0		'
Pre-opening, development and other costs	0		0		'		0		'
Depreciation and amortization	0		0		'		0		'
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	0		0		'		0		'
Total expenses and other costs	0		0		'		0		'
Operating income	0		0		'		0		'
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	-69,700,000		86,800,000		-210,800,000		86,000,000		'
Interest expense, net	0		0		'		0		'
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	'		0		'		0		'
Loss from equity method investments	'		'		'		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	-69,700,000		86,800,000		-210,800,000		86,000,000		'
Management fee and inter-company interest	0		0		'		0		'
Income tax (expense) benefit	0		0		'		0		'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-69,700,000		86,800,000		-210,800,000		86,000,000		'
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0		0		'		0		'
Net income (loss)	-69,700,000		86,800,000		-210,800,000		86,000,000		'
Balance Sheets	'		'		'		'		'
Current assets	0		'		0		'		0
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	0		'		0		'		0
Goodwill	0		'		0		'		0
Intangible assets, net	0		'		0		'		0
Other non-current assets	0		'		0		'		0
Investment in subsidiaries	-4,389,800,000		'		-4,389,800,000		'		-4,508,300,000
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	-700,000		'		-700,000		'		-800,000
Inter-company	-281,700,000		'		-281,700,000		'		-55,700,000
Total assets	-4,672,200,000		'		-4,672,200,000		'		-4,564,800,000
Current liabilities	0		'		0		'		0
Long-term debt less current portion	0		'		0		'		0
Other non-current liabilities	0		'		0		'		0
Liabilities of dicontinued operations held for sale	0		'		0		'		0
Inter-company	-281,700,000		'		-281,700,000		'		-55,700,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	-4,390,500,000		'		-4,390,500,000		'		-4,509,100,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0		'		0		'		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-4,390,500,000		'		-4,390,500,000		'		'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	-4,672,200,000		'		-4,672,200,000		'		-4,564,800,000
Statements of Cash Flows	'		'		'		'		'
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'		'		0		0		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		0		0		'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'		'		'		0		'
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'		'		0		'		'
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	'		'		0		0		'
Escrow refund	'		'		0		'		'
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	'		'		'		0		'
Loans receivable, net	'		'		'		0		'
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	'		'		0		'		'
Other Investing Activities	'		'		0		0		'
Cash used in investing activities	'		'		0		0		'
Proceeds from credit facility	'		'		0		0		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	'		'		'		0		'
Repayments under Credit Facility	'		'		0		0		'
Repayments of Long-term Debt	'		'		0		0		'
Other Financing Activities	'		'		0		0		'
Cash provided by financing activities	'		'		0		0		'
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	'		0		0		'		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	'		0		0		0		'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$0		'		$0		'		'
[1]	(a)As of September 30, 2014, the following material subsidiaries are identified as guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes: Belterra Resort Indiana, LLC; Boomtown, LLC; Casino Magic, LLC; Louisiana-I Gaming; PNK (Baton Rouge) Partnership; PNK (BOSSIER CITY), Inc.; PNK Development 7, LLC; PNK Development 8, LLC; PNK Development 9, LLC; PNK (LAKE CHARLES), L.L.C.; PNK (Ohio), LLC; PNK (Ohio) II, LLC; PNK (Ohio) III, LLC; PNK (River City), LLC; PNK (SAM), LLC; PNK (SAZ), LLC; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs, Inc.; Ameristar Casino St. Charles, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Kansas City, Inc.; Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc.; Cactus Pete’s, Inc.; Ameristar East Chicago Holdings, LLC; Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC; and Ameristar Casino Springfield, LLC. In addition, certain other immaterial subsidiaries are also guarantors of our senior and senior subordinated notes.
[2]	(b)Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $62.9 million in cash and other assets as of September 30, 2014 that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	$568,299,000		$418,927,000		$1,656,258,000		$952,801,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	141,500,000	[1]	102,600,000	[1]	435,300,000		230,200,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Depreciation and amortization	-60,152,000		-39,528,000		-177,236,000		-85,183,000
Pre-opening and development costs	-1,598,000		-63,086,000		-11,917,000		-87,851,000
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	-1,400,000		-3,100,000		-10,100,000		-8,200,000
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	-1,135,000		-12,130,000		-4,359,000		-14,259,000
Interest expense, net	-62,498,000		-48,500,000		-191,290,000		-105,420,000
Loss from equity method investments	0		0		0		-92,181,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		-30,830,000		-8,234,000		-30,830,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	-6,975,000		47,378,000		-8,072,000		51,766,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	7,719,000		-47,142,000		24,147,000		-142,028,000
Capital expenditures	'		'		188,722,000		188,457,000
Midwest [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	305,100,000	[2]	194,500,000	[2]	881,800,000	[2]	368,700,000	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	86,500,000	[2]	55,300,000	[2]	260,800,000	[2]	100,400,000	[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		137,100,000		100,700,000
South Segment [Domain]	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	202,600,000		192,200,000		606,200,000		549,800,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	56,300,000		56,500,000		183,000,000		150,400,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		37,700,000		57,300,000
West [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	58,500,000		30,300,000		162,800,000		30,300,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	22,200,000		10,600,000		59,500,000		10,600,000
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		3,400,000	[2]	800,000	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	566,200,000		417,000,000		1,650,800,000		948,800,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	165,000,000		122,400,000		503,300,000		261,400,000
Corporate and Other	'		'		'		'
Revenues:	'		'		'		'
Revenues	2,200,000		1,900,000		5,400,000		4,000,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted EBITDA	-23,500,000	[3]	-19,800,000	[3]	-68,000,000	[1]	-31,200,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	'		'		$10,500,000		$29,700,000
[1]	We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening, development and other costs, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening, development and other costs separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.
[2]	(a)See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for listing of properties included in each segment.
[3]	Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Beginning in the 2013 third quarter, we changed the methodology used to allocate corporate expenses to our reportable segments. Historically, we allocated direct and some indirect expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters to each property. Expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters that were related to property operations, but not directly attributable to a specific property, were allocated, typically on a pro rata basis, to each property. Only the remaining corporate expenses that were not related to an operating property were retained in the Corporate expense category. Under our new methodology, only corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property were allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are now allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. The change in methodology increases Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments with a corresponding increase in corporate expense, resulting in no impact to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Limitation on Percentage of Common Stock Ownership, Real Estate Investment Trust Company, Spin Off	9.80%