Pinnacle Entertainment (PNKZV) 10-K 2 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_Entity_Information

Document Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 26, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Entity Central Index Key	356213
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Public Float			$1,477
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,244,891

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Gaming	$1,974,410	$1,327,266	$892,284
Food and beverage	118,397	78,857	53,474
Lodging	50,553	31,297	21,937
Retail, entertainment and other	67,183	50,416	35,141
Total revenues	2,210,543	1,487,836	1,002,836
Expenses and other costs:
Gaming	1,056,878	733,459	501,354
Food and beverage	110,349	69,756	47,110
Lodging	24,002	14,820	11,624
Retail, entertainment and other	27,031	23,303	19,852
General and administrative	421,399	287,381	181,175
Depreciation and amortization	241,062	148,456	82,689
Pre-opening, development and other costs	12,962	89,009	21,508
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	6,387	17,265	829
Total expenses and other costs	1,900,070	1,383,449	866,141
Operating income	310,473	104,387	136,695
Interest expense, net	-252,647	-169,812	-93,670
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-8,234	-30,830	-20,718
Loss from equity method investments	-165	-92,181	-30,780
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	49,427	-188,436	-8,473
Income tax (expense) benefit	-11,096	55,055	-4,764
Income (loss) from continuing operations	38,331	-133,381	-13,237
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	5,449	-122,540	-18,568
Net income (loss)	43,780	-255,921	-31,805
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-63	-51	0
Net income (loss)	$43,843	($255,870)	($31,805)
Net income (loss) per common share—basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.64	($2.27)	($0.22)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($2.09)	($0.30)
Net income (loss)—basic (in dollars per share)	$0.73	($4.36)	($0.52)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.62	($2.27)	($0.22)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (in dollars per share)	$0.09	($2.09)	($0.30)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.71	($4.36)	($0.52)
Number of shares - basic	59,666	58,707	61,258
Number of shares - diluted	61,606	58,707	61,258

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$43,780	($255,921)	($31,805)
Post-retirement benefit obligations	-258	381	73
Comprehensive income (loss)	43,522	-255,540	-31,732
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-63	-51	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$43,585	($255,489)	($31,732)

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$164,654	$191,938
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,963 and $5,178	28,424	33,569
Inventories	9,877	8,193
Income tax receivable, net	20,289	17,397
Prepaid expenses and other assets	27,102	20,871
Deferred income taxes	7,509	7,662
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	21,260	322,548
Total current assets	279,115	602,178
Restricted cash	5,667	11,592
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	3,017,009	3,036,515
Goodwill	919,282	919,282
Equity method investment	1,835	1,975
Intangible assets, net	529,269	500,084
Other assets, net	81,505	87,800
Total assets	4,833,682	5,159,426
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	57,632	69,036
Accrued interest	49,760	49,318
Accrued compensation	73,698	77,322
Accrued taxes	39,287	38,348
Other accrued liabilities	119,106	96,273
Current portion of long-term debt	11,006	16,006
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	413	26,103
Total current liabilities	350,902	372,406
Long-term debt less current portion	3,975,648	4,364,045
Other long-term liabilities	40,021	31,321
Deferred income taxes	177,729	166,484
Total liabilities	4,544,300	4,934,256
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
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	1,096,508	1,075,896
Accumulated deficit	-754,206	-798,049
Accumulated other comprehensive income	132	390
Treasury stock, at cost, 6,374,882 of treasury shares for both periods	-71,090	-71,090
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	277,979	213,704
Non-controlling interest	11,403	11,466
Total stockholders' equity	289,382	225,170
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,833,682	$5,159,426

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$4,963	$5,178
Preferred stock, par value	$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	$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

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Total Atributed to Parent	Non-Controlling Interest
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$519,392	$6,416	$1,043,358	($510,374)	$82	($20,090)	$519,392	$0
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		62,144,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	-31,805			-31,805			-31,805
Post-retirement benefit obligations	73		146		-73		73
Comprehensive income (loss)	-31,732
Share-based compensation	8,795		8,795				8,795
Common stock issuance and option exercises, shares		429,000
Common stock issuance and option exercises, value	1,662	42	1,620				1,662
Treasury stock repurchase, shares		-4,366,000
Treasury stock repurchase, value	-51,000					-51,000	-51,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	447,117	6,458	1,053,919	-542,179	9	-71,090	447,117	0
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		58,207,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	-255,921			-255,870			-255,870	-51
Post-retirement benefit obligations	381				381		381
Comprehensive income (loss)	-255,540
Distribution to minority owner	-911							-911
Non-controlling interest	12,428							12,428
Share-based compensation	11,978		11,978				11,978
Common stock issuance and option exercises, shares		991,000
Common stock issuance and option exercises, value	10,033	99	9,934				10,033
Tax benefit from stock option exercises	65		65				65
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	225,170	6,557	1,075,896	-798,049	390	-71,090	213,704	11,466
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013		59,198,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	43,780			43,843			43,843	-63
Post-retirement benefit obligations	-258				-258		-258
Comprehensive income (loss)	43,522
Share-based compensation	14,043		14,043				14,043
Common stock issuance and option exercises, shares		782,000
Common stock issuance and option exercises, value	6,647	78	6,569				6,647
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$289,382	$6,635	$1,096,508	($754,206)	$132	($71,090)	$277,979	$11,403
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		59,980,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$43,780	($255,921)	($31,805)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	241,062	160,997	115,804
Loss on disposal of assets	1,395	3,554	1,952
Loss from equity method investment	165	92,181	30,780
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	8,234	30,830	20,718
Reserve on uncollectible loan receivable	0	86	1,700
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	10,000	0
Impairment of buildings, vessels and equipment	4,691	144,726	0
Impairment of land	0	1,534	6,950
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	9,696	6,432	6,519
Share-based compensation expense	14,043	11,978	8,795
Change in income taxes	11,093	-51,627	848
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	2,099	-1,721	6,348
Prepaid expenses, inventories and other	-10,698	10,565	997
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	2,926	-2,547	17,300
Net cash provided by operating activities	328,486	161,067	186,906
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and land additions	-230,815	-292,623	-299,464
Payment for business combinations	0	-1,749,736	-4,300
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest	-25	-2,732	-24,408
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities	0	-5,853	-20,062
Proceeds from matured investments	0	4,428	12,757
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	441	1,148	4,295
Net proceeds from sale of discontinued operations held for sale	258,507	205,703	10,784
Purchase of intangible asset	-25,000	0	-1,057
Escrow and deposit refund	25,000	3,151	25,000
Restricted cash	5,925	656	413
Loans receivable	-817	-6,884	-6,037
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	33,216	-1,842,742	-302,079
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility	291,700	2,168,835	47,500
Repayments under credit facility	-692,987	-15,122	-103,500
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	850,000	646,750
Repayment of long-term debt	0	-1,190,313	-391,500
Proceeds from common stock options exercised	6,644	10,070	1,482
Payments on other secured and unsecured notes payable	0	0	-653
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	-51,000
Distribution to non-controlling interest minority owner	0	-911	0
Debt issuance and other financing costs	-980	-44,101	-12,408
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-395,623	1,778,458	136,671
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-33,921	96,783	21,498
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	198,575	101,792	80,294
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	164,654	198,575	101,792
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	242,507	141,199	82,831
Cash payments related to income taxes, net	118	2,629	3,474
Decrease in construction related deposits and liabilities	-24,899	-163	-1,340
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	25,000	0	0
Non-cash consideration for business combination	0	0	-300
Non-cash issuance of common stock	$881	$227	$180

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located 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. We view each of our operating properties as an operating segment with the exception of our two properties in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
	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
	River City	St. Louis, Missouri
	Belterra	Florence, Indiana
	Belterra Park	Cincinnati, Ohio
	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 and Horseshu	Jackpot, Nevada
	We have classified certain of our assets and liabilities as held for sale in our 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 for all periods presented. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in the Lumière Place Casino and Hotels. For further information, see Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.” Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have not been adjusted for discontinued operations.
	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. 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 resolution 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 (“IRS”), and completion of financing transactions for both Prop Co and Op Co.
	In November 2014, in connection with our plan to pursue a REIT transaction, our Board of Directors adopted a short-term REIT protection shareholder rights plan to prohibit ownership of 9.8% or more of its outstanding common stock in order to safeguard our ability to pursue a pro rata dividend in the proposed REIT 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.
	In December 2014, we filed a request for a private letter ruling with the IRS. The private letter ruling seeks guidance on various technical tax matters related to the proposed REIT transaction. 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.
	Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results for the periods reflect all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in the common stock of unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of 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 Consolidated Balance Sheets:
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
	As of December 31, 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 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
				(in millions)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8	$	21.7	$	—	$	18.5	$	3.2
	Promissory notes	$	12	$	16.8	$	—	$	16.8	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	3,986.60	$	4,029.90	$	—	$	4,029.90	$	—
	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 include 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 December 31, 2014.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $164.7 million and $191.9 million at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months and are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are valued using Level 1 inputs.
	Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable consist primarily of casino, hotel and other receivables. We extend casino credit to approved customers in states where it is permitted following investigations of creditworthiness. Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. We have estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.0 million and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, to reduce receivables to their carrying amount, which approximates fair value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based upon, among other things, collection experience, customer credit evaluations and the age of the receivables. Bad debt expense totaled $2.4 million, $2.2 million, and $3.8 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Inventories. Inventories, which consist primarily of food, beverage and retail items, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out and the weighted average methods.
	Restricted Cash. Long-term restricted cash of $5.7 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, consists primarily of indemnification trust deposits.
	Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment. Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost. Land includes land not currently being used in our operations that totaled $37.6 million and $39.2 million at December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Depreciation expense	$	220.3	$	139.1	$	82.5
We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense maintenance and repairs costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the dispositions of land, buildings, vessels or equipment are included in the determination of income. We depreciate our land improvements, buildings, vessels and equipment using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the related lease term, as follows:
	Years
Land improvements	5 to 20
Buildings and improvements	10 to 35
Vessels	10 to 25
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3 to 20
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 portions 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 3, “Long-Term Debt.”
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 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. If such conditions exist, we would compare the estimated fair value of the investment to its carrying value to determine if an impairment is indicated. In addition, we would determine if the impairment is other-than-temporary based on our assessment of all relevant factors, including consideration of our intent and ability to retain the investment. To estimate fair value, we would use a discounted cash flow analysis based on estimated future results of the investee and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses, trademarks and a racing license. 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. There were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012. During the third quarter of 2013, we determined there was an indication of impairment for our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license due to a decrease in forecasted financial performance resulting from new competition, and we recorded an impairment charge of $10.0 million. There were no impairments to other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2012. For further discussion, see Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million indefinite-lived intangible asset related to Belterra Park's video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. As of December 31, 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, which is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a total of $864.1 million of goodwill and $529.2 million of intangible assets related to our acquisitions of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”) and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC. In November 2013, we completed the sale of our equity interests in the entity developing the Ameristar Casino Lake Charles project, and as a result, we no longer hold a $29.8 million gaming license acquired through the Ameristar acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 7, “Investments and Acquisition Activities” and Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.”
Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts/Premiums. Debt issuance costs include costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt and are capitalized and amortized over the contractual term of the debt to interest expense. Debt issuance costs of the revolving credit facility are amortized on a straight-line basis, while all other debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs were $44.1 million and $54.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt discounts/premiums incurred in connection with the issuance of debt have been included as a component of the carrying value of debt and are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums included in interest expense was $9.7 million, $6.4 million, and $6.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
Self-Insurance Accruals. We are self-insured up to certain limits for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation and employee health coverage. Insurance claims and reserves include accruals of estimated settlements for known claims, legal costs related to settling such claims and accruals of actuarial estimates of incurred but not reported claims. At December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.4 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating these accruals, we consider historical loss experience and make judgments about the expected level of costs per claim. We believe the estimates of future liability are reasonable based upon our methodology; however, changes in health care costs, accident frequency and severity could materially affect the estimate for these liabilities.
Customer Loyalty Program. 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 December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had accrued $26.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing these benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under Ameristar customer loyalty program. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within a reasonable time period. We assess tax positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a "more likely than not" threshold, and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50.0% percent of being realized. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed each balance sheet date. Liabilities recorded as a result of this analysis are classified as current or long-term based on the timing of expected payment. See Note 4, “Income Taxes,” for additional information.
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. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed. Advance deposits on lodging are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer.
The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating total revenues. The estimated cost of providing such promotional allowances is primarily included in gaming expenses. Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Food and beverage	$	135.3	$	94.7	$	58.1
Lodging	61.1		49.3		28.1
Retail, entertainment and other	18.2		13.4		9.6
Total promotional allowances	$	214.6	$	157.4	$	95.8
The cost to provide such complimentary benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense	$	160.9	$	111.2	$	72.4
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 department expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Gaming taxes	$	557.3	$	378.6	$	261.8
Advertising Costs. We expense advertising costs the first time the advertising takes place. These costs are included in gaming expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, advertising costs associated with development projects are included in pre-opening, development and other costs until the project is completed. These costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Advertising costs	$	30.6	$	20.9	$	22.1
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; master planning and conceptual design fees; 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 general and administrative costs related to our projects. Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:
	For the year ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in millions)
Ameristar acquisition (1)	$	2.2	$	85.3	$	—
Belterra Park (2)	8.2		1.2		0.4
Other (3)	2.6		2.5		21.1
Total pre-opening, development and other costs	$	13	$	89	$	21.5
-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	Costs in 2014 include $1.7 million of costs in 2014 associated with our evaluation and plan to pursue a REIT spin-off transaction. The 2012 total includes costs incurred in connection with our L'Auberge Baton Rouge property, which opened in 2012.
Share-based Compensation. We measure the cost of awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The grant-date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, is amortized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. See Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans.”
Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share reflects the addition of potentially dilutive securities, which include in-the money stock options, restricted stock units and phantom stock units. We calculate the effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. A total of 1.6 million, 1.0 million, and 4.4 million out-of-money stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.
For the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a net loss 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 such years. Options and securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share were 1.7 million and 0.5 million, respectively.
Business Combinations. We allocate the business combination 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. We determined the fair value of identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships and trademarks, as well as any other significant tangible assets or liabilities, such as long-lived property. The fair value allocation methodology requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities primarily using discounted cash flows and replacement cost analysis. Provisional fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed may be retrospectively adjusted during the measurement period. The measurement period ends once we are able to determine we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date or once we determine that such information is unavailable. The measurement period does not extend beyond one year from the acquisition date. See Note 7, “Investment and Acquisition Activities,” for additional information.
Reclassifications. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or 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. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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. Given 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 consolidated financial statements.

Land_Buildings_Vessels_and_Equ

Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment	Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
	Impairment of long-lived assets: We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded impairment charges totaling $1.5 million related to a decline in value of some of our excess land.
	The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
	Land and land improvements	$	401.9		$	391.7
	Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,677.80			2,492.20
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	721.9			633.1
	Construction in progress	75.6			175.6
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross	3,877.20			3,692.60
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(860.2		)	(656.1		)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	3,017.00		$	3,036.50

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014
		Outstanding Principal				Unamortized (Discount) Premium				Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	$	606.6			$	—			$	606.6
	Term B-2 Loan due 2020	782.2				(21.1		)		761.1
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850				—				850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00				53.8				1,093.80
	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	3,953.90				32.7				3,986.60
	Less current maturities	(11.0		)		—				(11.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,942.90			$	32.7			$	3,975.60
		December 31, 2013
		Outstanding Principal				Unamortized (Discount) Premium				Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	$	493.6			$	—			$	493.6
	Term B-1 Loan due 2016	202				(7.7		)		$	194.3
	Term B-2 Loan 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: On August 13, 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 million of Tranche B-1 term loans and $1.1 billion in Tranche B-2 term loans and (ii) a $1.0 billion revolving credit commitment. As of December 31, 2014, we fully repaid the outstanding principal balance of our Tranche B-1 term loans, had approximately $782.2 million in outstanding principal Tranche B-1 term loan debt, and had approximately $606.6 million drawn under the revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $12.7 million committed under letters of credit. 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.
	The loans under the Credit Facility are due to be paid as follows: (i) the revolving credit loans are due and payable in full on August 13, 2018; and (ii) the Tranche B-2 term loans are subject to 0.25% quarterly principal amortization requirements and the remaining principal outstanding is due and payable in full on August 13, 2020; provided, that such date shall be accelerated to November 15, 2019, if any portion of the Company's 8.75% senior subordinated notes due 2020 are outstanding on November 19, 2019.
	The term loans bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus 2.75% or at a base rate plus 1.75% and in no event will LIBOR be less than 1.00%. The revolving credit facility bears interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% or at a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.75%, in either case based on our consolidated total leverage ratio, which in general is the ratio of consolidated total debt (less excess cash, as defined in the Credit Facility) to annualized adjusted EBITDA.
	The Credit Facility has, among other things, financial covenants and other affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2014, the Credit Facility requires compliance with the following ratios so long as there are outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility: (1) maximum consolidated total leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 7.50 to 1.00; (2) minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 2.00 to 1.00; and (3) maximum consolidated senior secured debt ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 3.00 to 1.00. In addition, the Credit Facility has covenants that limit the amount of senior unsecured debt we may incur to $3.5 billion, unless our maximum consolidated total leverage ratio is less than 6.00 to 1.00. The maximum consolidated total leverage ratio and maximum senior secured debt ratio are subject to change periodically for future fiscal quarters. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with each of these ratios, and compliance with these ratios does not have a material impact on our financial flexibility, including our ability to incur new indebtedness.
	The Credit Facility permits us, in the future, to increase the commitments under the revolving credit facility and to obtain term loan commitments, in each case from existing or new lenders that are willing to commit to such an increase, so long as we are in pro-forma compliance with the Credit Facility's financial and other covenants, including a consolidated senior secured debt ratio and a consolidated total leverage ratio.
	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”). 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 of each year. 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 of 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.
	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.
	The 6.375% Notes, 8.75% Notes, 7.75% Notes, and 7.50% Notes, become callable at a premium over their face amount on August 1, 2016, May 15, 2015, April 1, 2017, and April 15, 2015, respectively. Such premiums decline periodically as the notes progress toward their respective maturities. All of our notes are redeemable prior to such times at a price that reflects a yield to the first call that is equivalent to the applicable Treasury bond yield plus 0.5 percentage points.
	6.375% Notes Redeemable				8.75% Notes Redeemable				7.75% Notes Redeemable				7.50% Notes Redeemable
	On or after		At a % of		On or after		At a % of		On or after		At a % of		On or after	At a % of
	August 1,		par equal to		May 15,		par equal to		April 1,		par equal to		April 15,	par equal to
	2016		104.78%		2015		104.38%		2017		103.88%		2015	105.62%
	2017		103.19%		2016		102.92%		2018		102.58%		2016	103.75%
	2018		101.59%		2017		101.46%		2019		101.29%		2017	101.88%
	2019 and thereafter		100.00%		2018 and thereafter		100.00%		2020 and thereafter		100.00%		2018 and thereafter	100.00%
	Our indentures governing our senior and senior subordinated notes and our Credit Facility limit the amount of dividends we are permitted to pay.
	Interest expense, net, was as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Interest expense	$	255.9			$	173.5			$	114.8
	Interest income	(0.4		)		(0.4		)		(0.8		)
	Capitalized interest	(2.9		)		(3.3		)		(20.3		)
	Total interest expense, net	$	252.6			$	169.8			$	93.7
	Interest expense is capitalized on internally constructed assets at our overall weighted average cost of borrowing. During 2014, we capitalized interest on our Belterra Park re-development project and our Boomtown New Orleans hotel. Interest expense increased due to the additional debt incurred to fund our acquisition of Ameristar and other development projects. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized, were $242.5 million, $141.2 million, and $82.8 million, respectively.
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt was as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$	8.2			$	30.8			$	20.7
	During 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. For 2013, we recorded a $30.8 million loss related to the early redemption of our 8.625% Notes and the amendment and restatement of our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The loss included redemption premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs. For 2012, we recorded a $20.7 million loss related to the early redemption of our 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015. The loss included redemption premiums and the write-off of previously unamortized debt issuance costs and original issuance discount costs.
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt: As of December 31, 2014, annual maturities of secured and unsecured notes payable are as follows (amounts shown in millions):
Year ended December 31:
2015	$	11
2016	11
2017	11
2018	617.6
2019	11
Thereafter	3,292.30
Total	3,953.90
Less unamortized debt discounts	(21.1		)
Unamortized debt premium	53.8
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	3,986.60

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The composition of our income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, was as follows:
		Current				Deferred				Total
		(in millions)
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	U.S. Federal	$	3.7			$	(8.3	)		$	(4.6	)
	State	(1.7		)		(4.8		)		(6.5		)
		$	2			$	(13.1	)		$	(11.1	)
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Federal	$	—			$	53.8			$	53.8
	State	(3.3		)		4.6				1.3
		$	(3.3	)		$	58.4			$	55.1
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	U.S. Federal	$	—			$	(0.9	)		$	(0.9	)
	State	(4.0		)		0.1				(3.9		)
		$	(4.0	)		$	(0.8	)		$	(4.8	)
	The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate from continuing operations to the federal statutory tax rate of 35%:
		2014							2013						2012
		Percent			Amount				Percent			Amount			Percent		Amount
		(dollars in millions)
	Federal income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	35	%		$	(17.3	)		35	%		$	66		35	%	$	3
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits	(0.1	)%		0.1				3.4	%		6.5			(52.5	)%	(4.4		)
	Non-deductible expenses and other	5.1	%		(2.5		)		(0.9	)%		(1.8		)	(8.1	)%	(0.7		)
	Cancellation of stock options	—	%		—				—	%		—			(24.5	)%	(2.1		)
	Acquisition costs	1.1	%		(0.5		)		(5.4	)%		(10.2		)	—	%	—
	Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits	1.8	%		(0.9		)		(0.1	)%		(0.2		)	(1.4	)%	(0.1		)
	Credits	(4.8	)%		2.3				0.8	%		1.6			6.2	%	0.4
	Change in valuation allowance/reserve of deferred tax assets	(15.6	)%		7.7				(3.6	)%		(6.8		)	(10.9	)%	(0.9		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations	22.5	%		$	(11.1	)		29.2	%		$	55.1		(56.2	)%	$	(4.8	)
	The following table shows the allocation of income tax (expense) benefit between continuing operations, discontinued operations and equity:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	49.4			$	(188.5	)		$	(8.4	)
	Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to continuing operations	(11.1		)		55.1				(4.8		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	38.3				(133.4		)		(13.2		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	5.2				(123.8		)		(18.9		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to discontinued operations	0.3				1.2				0.3
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	5.5				(122.6		)		(18.6		)
	Net income (loss)	$	43.8			$	(255.9	)		$	(31.8	)
	At December 31, 2014, and 2013, the tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Deferred tax assets—current:
	Workers’ compensation insurance reserve	$	4.3			$	4.3
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	2.5				2.8
	Legal and merger costs	2.3				4.8
	Accruals, reserves and other	28.4				29.2
	Less valuation allowance	(17.9		)		(22.5		)
	Total deferred tax assets—current	19.6				18.6
	Deferred tax liabilities—current:
	Prepaid expenses	(7.8		)		(7.0		)
	Accruals, reserves and other	(4.3		)		(3.9		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities—current	(12.1		)		(10.9		)
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	7.5			$	7.7
	Deferred tax assets—non-current:
	Federal tax credit carry-forwards	$	34.1			$	31.2
	Federal net operating loss carry-forwards	214.5				188.1
	State net operating loss carry-forwards	36.6				29.6
	Capital loss carry-forwards	—				5.9
	Deferred compensation	2.6				2.6
	Pre-opening expenses capitalized for tax purposes	13.2				10.8
	ACDL investment write-down	38.5				38.5
Share-based compensation expense—book cost	10				8.8
Bond payable	23.2				27.7
Accruals, reserves and other	43.7				42
Less valuation allowance	(227.8		)		(237.7		)
Total deferred tax assets—non-current	188.6				147.5
Deferred tax liabilities—non-current:
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	(221.4		)		(187.2		)
Intangible assets	(144.9		)		(126.8		)
Total deferred tax liabilities—non-current	(366.3		)		(314.0		)
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	(177.7	)		$	(166.5	)
The following table summarizes the total deferred tax assets and total deferred tax liabilities provided in the previous table:
	December 31,
	2014				2013
	(in millions)
Total deferred tax assets	$	453.9			$	426.3
Less valuation allowances	(245.7		)		(260.2		)
Less total deferred tax liabilities	(378.4		)		(324.9		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(170.2	)		$	(158.8	)
In 2013, we recorded a tax benefit from the release of $58.4 million of our valuation allowance as a result of the consolidation of our deferred tax assets with the Ameristar deferred tax liability. As of December 31, 2014, we continue to provide a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets for all jurisdictions except for certain states that are more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, forecasts of future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. We have a cumulative U.S. pretax accounting loss for the years 2012 through 2014. Considering all available evidence both positive and negative, and in light of the cumulative losses in recent years, we determined that a full valuation allowance was appropriate.
As of December 31, 2014, our tax filings reflected available Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carry-forwards of $3.1 million, General Business Credit (“GBC”) carry-forwards of $20.6 million and Foreign Tax Credit (“FTC”) carry-forwards of $10.4 million. The FTC and GBC carry-forwards will begin to expire in 2020 through 2034, while the AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future regular tax liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, we had $632.9 million of federal net operating losses, which can be carried forward 20 years and will begin to expire in 2028. We also have $1.0 billion of state net operating loss carry-forwards, predominantly in Louisiana and Missouri, that expire on various dates. Our net operating loss carry-forwards include a $17.8 million excess tax benefit from stock option deductions, which have not been recognized for financial statement purposes. The excess tax benefit will be credited to additional paid-in capital when the net operating loss is utilized and reduces current-year income tax payable.
In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued final regulations on tangible depreciable property. The regulations establish requirements to determine when certain costs for acquisition production and improvement of tangible property may be immediately deducted, capitalized and deducted in the future. The regulations are effective for the first day of the taxable year that begins on or after January 1, 2014. The implication of these final regulations had no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
We file income tax returns in federal and state jurisdictions and are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2011 and state income tax examinations for tax years prior to 2000. In 2012, our federal tax return was examined by the IRS for tax years 2009 and 2010. The examination concluded in January 2013 with adjustments to certain timing items that resulted in an immaterial impact on our 2012 income tax expense. In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue commenced an income tax examination of the Company's Indiana income tax filings for the 2005 to 2007 period. We filed an appeal in June 2012 with the Indiana Tax Court to set aside the entire audit assessment. Our appeal is currently pending Court review. For further discussion, see Note 11, "Commitments and Contingencies."
As of December 31, 2014, we had $14.2 million of uncertain tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Authoritative guidance requires companies to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax positions for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. During 2014, we accrued approximately $0.3 million of interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. We had $2.2 million of cumulative interest accrued as of the end of December 31, 2014. No penalties were accrued for in any years.
The following table summarizes the activity related to uncertain tax benefits for 2014 and 2013, excluding any interest or penalties:
	2014				2013
	(in millions)
Balance as of January 1	$	35.7			$	9.4
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods	1.4				—
Gross increases - tax positions in current period	0.6				3.5
Gross decreases - tax positions in current period	—				(0.9		)
Acquisition	—				23.8
Statute of limitation expirations	—				(0.1		)
Balance as of December 31	$	37.7			$	35.7

Lease_Obligations

Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Leases Obligations	Lease Obligations
	We have certain long-term operating lease obligations, including corporate office space, land at various locations, water bottom leases in Louisiana, and office and gaming equipment. Minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (amounts are reflected in millions):
	Period:
	2015	$	12.5
	2016	12.1
	2017	10.8
	2018	10.5
	2019	10.1
	Thereafter	558.2
		$	614.2
	Total rent expense for these long-term lease obligations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, was $15.0 million, $13.1 million and $11.3 million, respectively.
	We lease the 232 acres underlying our L’Auberge Lake Charles property. The lease has an initial term of 10 years, which commenced in May 2005, with six renewal options of 10 years each. The annual base rent for the lease is approximately $1.1 million per year, which amount adjusts annually for changes in the consumer price index.
	We lease the 56 acres that our River City property occupies in St. Louis, Missouri. The lease has a term of 99 years, which commenced in September 2005. The annual rent for the lease is the greater of $4.0 million or 2.5% of annual adjusted gross receipts, as defined in the lease agreement.
	We lease approximately 148 of the 315 acres that our Belterra property occupies in southern Indiana. The lease period is 50 years total, including an initial five-year lease term with nine consecutive five-year automatic renewal periods. The current lease term is through September 2015 and has seven remaining renewal periods. The lease currently provides for minimum annual rental payments of approximately $1.4 million, plus 1.5% of gross gaming win (as defined in the lease agreement) in excess of $100 million. We also have the option to purchase the land on or after October 2020 for $30 million, subject to adjustments as defined in the lease agreement.
	We lease the Ameristar East Chicago site from the City of East Chicago under a ground lease that expires (after giving effect to our renewal options) in 2086.
	We lease corporate office space in Las Vegas, Nevada at various locations. Base rent for these locations ranges from $1.5 million per year to $1.9 million per year, subject to periodic base rate increases. The lease periods range from month-to-month to 10 years, subject to certain renewal options.
	We are a party to a number of cancellable slot participation and some table game participation arrangements at our various casinos that are customary for casino operations. The slot arrangements generally consist of either a fixed-rent agreement on a per-day basis or a percentage of each slot machine’s gaming revenue, generally payable at month-end. Slot and table game participation fees included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Slot and table game participation fees	$	27.8	$	20.7	$	16.4

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	Share-based Compensation: Our 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) allows us to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other performance awards to officers, employees and consultants. The 2005 Plan permits the issuance of up to approximately 9.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. There were approximately 0.6 million share-based awards available for grant under our 2005 plan as of December 31, 2014. Grants of stock options or stock appreciation rights are counted against the approximately 9.0 million share limit as one share for every one share granted. All other awards under the 2005 Plan are counted against the share limit as 1.4 shares for every one share granted. The 2005 Plan expires in April 2015.
	In addition, in 2008 and 2010, in order to recruit our executive officers, we granted options outside of the 2005 Plan for the purchase of 850,000 shares of common stock, all of which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2014. In connection with the acquisition of Ameristar, we granted new employees, who were former employees of Ameristar, options to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units. Pursuant to our Annual Incentive Plans, as adopted under the 2005 Plan, 25% of our executive officers' bonuses are payable in restricted stock units, and such executive officers may elect to receive an additional 25% of their bonus in restricted stock units.
	As of December 31, 2014, we have approximately 7.7 million share-based awards outstanding, including common stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units which are detailed below.
	Directors Deferred Compensation Plan: Any director may elect to receive phantom stock units in lieu of payment of an annual retainer and board fees under the Company's Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. Phantom stock units are fully expensed when granted. Each phantom stock unit is the economic equivalent of one share of our common stock. Units of phantom stock are payable in common stock following the director’s cessation of service as a director for any reason.
	Stock options: Options are granted at the current market price at the date of grant. The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options under the Stock Option Plans:
			Number of Stock Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
										(in years)		(in millions)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014		5,509,246			$	14.01
	Granted		939,780			$	23.45
	Exercised		(480,495	)		$	13.57
	Canceled / Forfeited		(399,903	)		$	20.51
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014		5,568,628			$	15.17			4.75		$	41.7
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		3,210,753			$	12.81			4.12		$	31.3
	Expected to vest at December 31, 2014		1,802,431			$	18.67			5.63		$	7.5
	The following information is provided for our stock options:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions, except grant date fair value)
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	9.04			$	10.63			$	5.06
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	5.4			$	9.2			$	0.5
	Net cash proceeds from exercise of stock options	$	6.6			$	10.1			$	1.5
	Unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to stock options granted totaled approximately $12.1 million at December 31, 2014 and the weighted average period over which the costs are expected to be recognized is approximately two years.
	Restricted stock units: The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units as of December 31, 2014:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014	629,518			$	20.11
	Granted	1,003,918			$	22.94
	Vested	(263,864	)		$	20.25
	Canceled / Forfeited	(156,639	)		$	22.78
	Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014	1,212,933			$	22.2
	Unamortized compensation costs not yet expensed related to non-vested shares totaled approximately $18.7 million at December 31, 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 as of December 31, 2014:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014	431.858			$	22.79
	Granted	123,283			$	26.5
	Canceled / Forfeited	(34,819	)		$	23.14
	Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014	520,322			$	23.64
	Compensation cost: We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the Monte Carlo simulation in order to calculate the compensation costs of employee share-based compensation. Such models require the use of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the option, the expected volatility of the underlying stock, and the expected dividend on the stock.
	In computing the share-based compensation, the following is a weighted average of the assumptions used:
			Risk- Free Interest Rate			Expected Life at Issuance (in years)		Expected Volatility			Expected Dividends
	Options granted in the following periods:
	2014		1.5	%		5.17		41.2	%		None
	2013		1.2	%		5.11		57	%		None
	2012		0.8	%		5.25		58	%		None
	The expected volatility was derived from an analysis of both the historic actual volatility of our common stock and the implied volatilities of traded options in our common stock. Future volatility may be substantially less or greater than the expected volatility. We do not currently pay dividends, and we do not anticipate that dividends will be paid within the average expected life of existing options. U.S. Treasury rates with similar maturities are used as the proxy for the risk-free rate. The expected life at issuance is based on our experience as to the average historical term of option grants that were exercised, canceled or forfeited. The total compensation costs recognized were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Share-based compensation expense	$	13.9			$	11.5			$	8.5
	The total fair value of share-based awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $12.8 million, $9.0 million, and $9.0 million, respectively.
	401(k) Plan: We maintain the Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 401(k) Investment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan is an employee benefit plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Participants of the 401(k) Plan may contribute up to 100% of pretax income, subject to the legal limitation ($17,500 for 2014). In addition, participants who are age 50 or older may make an additional contribution to the 401(k) Plan, commonly referred to as a “catch-up” contribution ($5,500 for 2014). We consider discretionary matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan, which vest ratably over four to five years, of a 50% discretionary match, up to 3% of eligible compensation. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan totaled $3.3 million, $2.4 million, and $1.5 million, respectively.
	Executive Deferred Compensation Plan: We maintain an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Executive Plan”), which allows certain highly compensated employees to defer, on a pre-tax basis, a portion of their annual base salary and bonus. Participation in the Executive Plan is limited. A participant is at all times fully vested in his or her contributions, as well as any attributable appreciation or depreciation thereof. We do not make matching contributions to the Executive Plan for the benefit of participating employees, and the payment of benefits under the plan is an unsecured obligation. The total obligation under the Executive Plan and the cash surrender value of insurance policies are as follow:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Total obligation under Executive Plan (a)	$	6.7			$	6.5
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies (b)	$	2.9			$	2.8
	(a)	Recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Recorded in “Other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Directors' Medical Plan: In February 2007, the Board of Directors approved a directors’ health and medical plan designed to provide health and medical insurance benefits comparable to those provided to corporate executives (the “Directors’ Medical Plan”). To the extent that a covered individual has other insurance or Medicare coverage, the benefits under the Company’s coverage would be supplemental to those otherwise provided. The Directors’ Medical Plan covers directors and their dependents while the director is in office and provides benefits for those directors who leave the board after age 70 and their dependents and for directors in office at the time of a change in control and their dependents for a period of 5 years. The benefit obligation is approximately $0.3 million and $0.3 million for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac

Investments and Acquisition Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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 were 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 was recorded as goodwill, of which $176.9 million is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recognized was 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 in goodwill, approximately $551.1 million was assigned to the Midwest segment, approximately $231.5 million was assigned to the South segment, and approximately $78.2 million was assigned to the West 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 8, “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
		$	524,200
	ACDL Investments: 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 investment in ACDL. During 2012, we recorded an initial impairment of approximately $25.0 million. 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 December 31, 2014, we have invested $2.0 million in Farmworks, a land re-vitalization project in downtown St. Louis, which is accounted for under the equity method and included in “Equity method investment” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our proportional share of Farmworks' losses totaled $0.2 million.
	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 of PRP was accounted for as a business combination. The purchase price for the equity of PRP 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 December 31, 2014, we held $12.0 million in promissory notes issued by RDC that are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. 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 December 31, 2014, we held, at amortized cost, $11.4 million in local government corporation bonds that were issued by RDC, a local government corporation of the City of Selma, Texas. These bonds have long-term contractual maturities and are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. We have both the intent and ability to hold these investments until the amortized cost is recovered.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	Discontinued operations for 2014, 2013 and 2012 consist primarily of our former Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels operation, our former Boomtown Reno operations, our former Atlantic City operations, and our former Ameristar Casino Lake Charles, LLC (“Ameristar Lake Charles”) development. We also have also classified certain excess land parcels as held for sale. A disposal group classified as held for sale shall be measured at the lower of its carrying amount or 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.”
	Lumiére 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 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. During 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in these subsidiaries for net cash consideration of $250.3 million. We expect no material ongoing financial impact from the Lumiére Place Casino and Hotels.
	Ameristar Casino Lake Charles: In July 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell all of the equity interests of our subsidiary, which was constructing the Ameristar Lake Charles development project. In November 2013, we closed the sale of the equity interests of our subsidiary. We have received approximately $209.8 million in cash consideration and $10.0 million in deferred consideration in the form of a note receivable from the buyer due in July 2016. The recovery of proceeds from escrow and adjustments to our cost to sell estimates resulted in the recognition of an approximate $2.3 million gain during 2014.
	Boomtown Reno: In June 2012, we closed the sale of the Boomtown Reno operations for total proceeds of approximately $12.9 million, resulting in a loss of $1.1 million. 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 December 31, 2014, we continue to hold approximately 783 acres of remaining excess land surrounding Boomtown Reno. During the third quarter of 2014, we entered into an 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 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 December 31, 2014, this option had not been exercised.
	Revenue, expense and net income (loss) for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	41	$	181.3		$	213.1
	Operating income (loss)	4.7		(123.5		)	(19.0		)
	Other non-operating income (loss), net	0.5		(0.3		)	0.1
	Income (loss) before income taxes	5.2		(123.8		)	(18.9		)
	Income tax benefit	0.3		1.2			0.3
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	5.5	$	(122.6	)	$	(18.6	)
	Net assets for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	11.8	$	275.3
	Other assets, net	9.4		47.2
	Total assets	$	21.2	$	322.5
	Liabilities:
	Total liabilities	0.4		26.1
	Net assets	$	20.8	$	296.4

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill. Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is subject to an annual assessment for impairment during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if there are indications of possible impairment. There were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. During 2013, we recorded $864.1 million of goodwill related to our acquisitions of Ameristar and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC.
	Other Intangible Assets. Other intangible assets consist of indefinite-lived intangible assets that include gaming licenses, trademarks and a racing license, and amortizing intangible assets, which include customer relationships and favorable leasehold interests. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization, but instead are reviewed annually for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
	During 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 December 31, 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.
	During 2013, we acquired $529.2 million of intangible other assets related to our acquisition of Ameristar and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC. In November 2013, we completed the sale of our equity interests in the entity developing the Ameristar Casino Lake Charles project, and as a result, we no longer hold a $29.8 million gaming license acquired through the Ameristar acquisition.
	There were no impairments to indefinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. During 2013, we determined there was an indication of impairment for our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license due to a decrease in forecasted financial performance resulting from new competition, and we recorded an impairment of $10.0 million. The fair value of the license was calculated using discounted cash flows using Level 3 inputs.
	The following tables set forth changes in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets:
		31-Dec-14
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Value				Cumulative Amortization				Cumulative Impairment Losses			Intangible Assets, Net
	Goodwill:	(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition	Indefinite		$	860.8			$	—			$	—		$	860.8
	Belterra Park	Indefinite		35.8				—				—			35.8
	Boomtown New Orleans	Indefinite		16.8				—				—			16.8
	Other	Indefinite		5.9				—				—			5.9
				919.3				—				—			919.3
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
	Gaming licenses	Indefinite		318.6				—				(31.1		)	287.5
	Trade names	Indefinite		187.2				—				—			187.2
	Racing license	Indefinite		5				—				—			5
				510.8				—				(31.1		)	479.7
	Amortizing Intangible Assets:
	Player relationships	5		75.1				(29.7		)		—			45.4
	Favorable leasehold interests	31		4.4				(0.2		)		—			4.2
				79.5				(29.9		)		—			49.6
	Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets			$	1,509.60			$	(29.9	)		$	(31.1	)	$	1,448.60
		31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Value				Cumulative Amortization				Cumulative Impairment Losses			Intangible Assets, Net
	Goodwill:	(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition	Indefinite		$	860.8			$	—			$	—		$	860.8
	Belterra Park	Indefinite		35.8				—				—			35.8
	Boomtown New Orleans	Indefinite		16.8				—				—			16.8
	Other	Indefinite		5.9				—				—			5.9
				919.3				—				—			919.3
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
	Gaming licenses	Indefinite		268.6				—				(31.1		)	237.5
	Trade names	Indefinite		187.2				—				—			187.2
	Racing license	Indefinite		5				—				—			5
				460.8				—				(31.1		)	429.7
	Amortizing Intangible Assets:
	Player relationships	6		75.1				(9.0		)		—			66.1
	Favorable leasehold interests	32		4.4				(0.1		)		—			4.3
				79.5				(9.1		)		—			70.4
	Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets			$	1,459.60			$	(9.1	)		$	(31.1	)	$	1,419.40
	Player relationships are being amortized on an accelerated basis over an approximate weighted average remaining useful life of 5 years. Favorable leasehold interests are being amortized on a straight-line basis over an approximate weighted average remaining useful life of 31 years.
	The aggregate amortization expense for indefinite-lived intangible assets was $20.8 million, $9.0 million, and $0.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Estimated future annual amortization is as follows:
		Player Relationships				Favorable Leasehold Interests				Total
		(in millions)
	Year ended December 31:
	2015	$	15.8			$	0.1			$	15.9
	2016	11.9				0.1				12
	2017	8.8				0.1				8.9
	2018	6.5				0.1				6.6
	2019	2.1				0.1				2.2
	Thereafter	0.3				3.7				4
	Total	$	45.4			$	4.2			$	49.6

Writedowns_reserves_and_recove

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Write Downs Reserves And Recoveries Net Abstract
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of the following:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net	$	3.5		$	2.8	$	(1.2	)
	Lease abandonment	3			—		—
	Reserve on loan receivable	—			0.1		1.7
	Impairment of long-lived assets	—			2.9		0.3
	Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	—			10		—
	Other	(0.1		)	1.5		—
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	$	6.4		$	17.3	$	0.8
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of $6.4 million in losses for the year ended December 31, 2014. The losses related to a $3.0 million lease abandonment charge from the consolidation of our Las Vegas headquarters and net losses of $3.5 million from the disposal or abandonment of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized net losses of $17.3 million. The losses were primarily a result of an impairment loss on our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license of $10.0 million, an impairment charge of $1.5 million related to a decline in value of some of our excess land, and losses of $2.8 million from disposals of slot and other equipment at our properties in the normal course of business.
	For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized net losses of $0.8 million. The losses were primarily a result of a $1.7 million reserve made against an outstanding loan receivable. This loss was offset by a net gain of $1.2 million on disposals of assets.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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.
	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 December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.4 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Indiana Tax Dispute: In 2008, the Indiana Department of Revenue (“IDR”) commenced an income tax examination of the Company's Indiana income tax filings for the 2005 to 2007 period. In February 2010, the Company received a notice of proposed adjustment from the field agent 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. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is still awaiting the issuance of the Indiana Tax Court's ruling on our Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.
	Other:  We are a party to a number of 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information
	Our subsidiaries (excluding subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 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:
											Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
		Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
		(in millions)
	Statements of Operations
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,974.40		$	—		$	—		$	1,974.40
	Food and beverage	—			118.4			—			—			118.4
	Lodging	—			50.6			—			—			50.6
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			67			—			—			67.1
		0.1			2,210.40			—			—			2,210.50
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			1,056.90			—			—			1,056.90
	Food and beverage	—			110.3			—			—			110.3
	Lodging	—			24			—			—			24
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			27			—			—			27
	General and administrative	96.2			324.9			0.3			—			421.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	4.3			8.3			0.3			—			12.9
	Depreciation and amortization	8.5			232.5			—			—			241
	Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	4.2			2.2			—			—			6.4
		113.2			1,786.10			0.6			—			1,900.00
	Operating income (loss)	(113.1		)	424.3			(0.6		)	—			310.5
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	292.5			—			—			(292.5		)	—
	Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(255.4		)	2.7			—			—			(252.7		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	—			—			—			(8.2		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(0.2		)	—			(0.2		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(84.2		)	427			(0.8		)	(292.5		)	49.4
	Management fee and inter-company interest	149.8			(149.8		)	—			—			—
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(21.8		)	10.7			—			—			(11.1		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	43.8			287.9			(0.8		)	(292.5		)	38.3
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			5.5			—			—			5.5
	Net income (loss)	$	43.8		$	293.4		$	(0.8	)	$	(292.5	)	$	43.8
											Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
		Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
		(in millions)
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,327.30		$	—		$	—		$	1,327.30
	Food and beverage	—			78.9			—			—			78.9
	Lodging	—			31.3			—			—			31.3
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			50.2			—			—			50.3
		0.1			1,487.70			—			—			1,487.80
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			733.5			—			—			733.5
	Food and beverage	—			69.8			—			—			69.8
	Lodging	—			14.8			—			—			14.8
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			23.3			—			—			23.3
	General and administrative	63.1			223.8			0.5			—			287.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	86.2			2.1			0.7			—			89
	Depreciation and amortization	6.5			142			—			—			148.5
	Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	1.1			14.5			1.6			—			17.2
		156.9			1,223.80			2.8			—			1,383.50
	Operating income (loss)	(156.8		)	263.9			(2.8		)	—			104.3
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(16.1		)	—			—			16.1			—
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(92.2		)	—			(92.2		)
	Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(177.4		)	7.7			—			—			(169.7		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(381.1		)	271.6			(95.0		)	16.1			(188.4		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	70.1			(70.1		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	55.1			—			—			—			55.1
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(255.9		)	201.5			(95.0		)	16.1			(133.3		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			(122.5		)	(0.1		)	—			(122.6		)
Net income (loss)	$	(255.9	)	$	79		$	(95.1	)	$	16.1		$	(255.9	)
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	892.3		$	—		$	—		$	892.3
Food and beverage	—			53.5			—			—			53.5
Lodging	—			21.9			—			—			21.9
Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			34.5			0.5			—			35.1
	0.1			1,002.20			0.5			—			1,002.80
Expenses:
Gaming	—			501.4			—			—			501.4
Food and beverage	—			47.1			—			—			47.1
Lodging	—			11.6			—			—			11.6
Retail, entertainment and other	—			19.1			0.7			—			19.8
General and administrative	26.7			153.9			0.6			—			181.2
Pre-opening, development and other costs	3.2			16.7			1.6			—			21.5
Depreciation and amortization	3.3			79.2			0.2			—			82.7
Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	0.3			(1.2		)	1.7			—			0.8
	33.5			827.8			4.8			—			866.1
Operating income (loss)	(33.4		)	174.4			(4.3		)	—			136.7
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	111.3			(0.1		)	—			(111.2		)	—
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(20.7		)	—			—			—			(20.7		)
Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(30.8		)	—			(30.8		)
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(114.4		)	12			8.7			—			(93.7		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(57.2		)	186.3			(26.4		)	(111.2		)	(8.5		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	30.1			(20.2		)	(8.4		)	(1.5		)	—
Income tax expense	(4.7		)	—			—			—			(4.7		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(31.8		)	166.1			(34.8		)	(112.7		)	(13.2		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			(20.0		)	(0.1		)	1.5			(18.6		)
Net income (loss)	$	(31.8	)	$	146.1		$	(34.9	)	$	(111.2	)	$	(31.8	)
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2014
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	$	73.4		$	184.5		$	23.3		$	(23.3	)	$	257.9
Property and equipment, net	34.3			2,977.20			5.4			—			3,016.90
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			524.3			5			—			529.3
Other non-current assets	60			4.6			24.4			—			89
Investment in subsidiaries	4,470.80			—			—			(4,470.8		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.6			17.7			—			—			21.3
Inter-company	—			352			—			(352.0		)	—
Total assets	$	4,642.10		$	4,976.30		$	61.4		$	(4,846.1	)	$	4,833.70
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	$	100.8		$	273.1		$	—		$	(23.3	)	$	350.6
Notes payable, long term	3,975.50			0.1			—			—			3,975.60
Other non-current liabilities	(63.0		)	280.6			—			—			217.6
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			0.4			—			—			0.4
Inter-company	350.8			—			1.2			(352.0		)	—
Total liabilities	4,364.10			554.2			1.2			(375.3		)	4,544.20
Total Pinnacle stockholders' equity	278			4,422.10			48.8			(4,470.8		)	278.1
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.4			—			11.4
Total equity	278			4,422.10			60.2			(4,470.8		)	289.5
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,642.10		$	4,976.30		$	61.4		$	(4,846.1	)	$	4,833.70
As of December 31, 2013
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	$	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, excluding discontinued operations	$	114.8		$	231.4		$	0.1		$	—		$	346.3
Notes payable, long term	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
Total Pinnacle stockholders' 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
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2014
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	119.3		$	234.4		$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	328.5
Capital expenditures and land additions	(12.0		)	(218.8		)	—			—			(230.8		)
Purchases of intangible assets	—			(25.0		)	—			—			(25.0		)
Escrow funds	—			25			—			—			25
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale	—			258.5			—			—			258.5
Restricted cash	5.9			—			—			—			5.9
Inter-company transfers of proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale and other	260.2			(258.1		)	(2.5		)	—			(0.4		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	254.1			(218.4		)	(2.5		)	—			33.2
Proceeds from credit facility	291.7			—			—			—			291.7
Repayments under credit facility	(693.0		)	—			—			—			(693.0		)
Other	5.7			—			—			—			5.7
Cash provided by financing activities	(395.6		)	—			—			—			(395.6		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(22.2		)	16			(27.7		)	—			(33.9		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28.6			142.3			27.7			—			198.6
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	6.4		$	158.3		$	—		$	—		$	164.7
For the year ended December 31, 2013
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,754.5	)	$	1,895.50		$	20.1		$	—		$	161.1
Capital expenditures and land additions	(5.8		)	(286.8		)	—			—			(292.6		)
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	4.4			—			(5.9		)	—			(1.5		)
Payments for business combinations, net	—			(1,749.7		)	—			—			(1,749.7		)
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale	—			205.7			—			—			205.7
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.9		)	—			(6.9		)
Other	0.5			4.1			(2.4		)	—			2.2
Cash used in investing activities	(0.9		)	(1,826.7		)	(15.2		)	—			(1,842.8		)
Proceeds from credit facility	2,168.80			—			—			—			2,168.80
Repayments under credit facility	(15.1		)	—			—			—			(15.1		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	850			—			—			—			850
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,190.3		)	—			—			—			(1,190.3		)
Other	(34.9		)	—			—			—			(34.9		)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,778.50			—			—			—			1,778.50
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23.1			68.8			4.9			—			96.8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5.5			73.5			22.8			—			101.8
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	28.6		$	142.3		$	27.7		$	—		$	198.6
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(140.0	)	$	277.7		$	49.2		$	—		$	186.9
Capital expenditures and land additions	(4.1		)	(294.8		)	(0.5		)	—			(299.4		)
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	(4.5		)	—			(15.6		)	—			(20.1		)
Refund from escrow deposit	—			25			—			—			25
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	—			10.8			—			—			10.8
Equity method investment	—			(0.3		)	(24.1		)	—			(24.4		)
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.0		)	—			(6.0		)
Other	0.1			7.1			4.8			—			12
Cash used in investing activities	(8.5		)	(252.2		)	(41.4		)	—			(302.1		)
Proceeds from credit facility	47.5			—			—			—			47.5
Repayments under credit facility	(103.5		)	—			—			—			(103.5		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	646.8			—			—			—			646.8
Repayment of long-term debt	(392.2		)	—			—			—			(392.2		)
Debt issuance and other financing costs	(12.4		)	—			—			—			(12.4		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(51.0		)	—			—			—			(51.0		)
Other	1.5			—			—			—			1.5
Cash provided by financing activities	136.7			—			—			—			136.7
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11.8		)	25.5			7.8			—			21.5
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17.3			48			15			—			80.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	5.5		$	73.5		$	22.8		$	—		$	101.8
(a)	As of December 31, 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 $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 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	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) for each segment 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 years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	1,185.20		$	650.9		$	367.3
	South segment (a)	801.9			748.1			634.9
	West segment (a)	216			82.9			—
		2,203.10			1,481.90			1,002.20
	Corporate and other (c)	7.4			6			0.6
	Total revenues	$	2,210.50		$	1,487.90		$	1,002.80
	Adjusted EBITDA (b):
	Midwest segment (a)	$	348.4		$	183.7		$	94.3
	South segment (a)	244.4			213.5			176.6
	West segment (a)	78.2			27.7			—
		671			424.9			270.9
	Corporate expenses and other (c)	(86.2		)	(54.3		)	(20.6		)
	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)	$	584.8		$	370.6		$	250.3
	Other benefits (costs):
	Depreciation and amortization	(241.1		)	(148.5		)	(82.7		)
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	(13.0		)	(89.0		)	(21.5		)
	Non-cash share-based compensation	(13.9		)	(11.5		)	(8.5		)
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(6.4		)	(17.3		)	(0.8		)
	Interest expense, net	(252.6		)	(169.8		)	(93.7		)
	Loss from equity method investment	(0.2		)	(92.2		)	(30.8		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	(30.8		)	(20.7		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(11.1		)	55.1			(4.8		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	38.3		$	(133.4	)	$	(13.2	)
	Capital expenditures
	Midwest segment (a)	$	158.2		$	139.4		$	37.1
	South segment (a)	51			77.8			249
	West segment (a)	7.7			1.7			—
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	13.9			73.7			13.4
		$	230.8		$	292.6		$	299.5
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	2,758.10		$	2,669.10
	South segment (a)	1,294.80			1,322.80
	West segment (a)	546.6			568.4
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	1,008.20			1,627.00
	Eliminations	(774.0		)	(1,027.9		)
		$	4,833.70		$	5,159.40
	(a) See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for a 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 and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. 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. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
		(in millions, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	554.3	$	568.3		$	555.2		$	532.8
	Operating income (a)	78.7		77.2			66.8			87.7
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	14.2		7.7			(2.3		)	18.7
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.4		4.8			—			0.3
	Net income (loss)	14.6		12.5			(2.3		)	19
	Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$	14.6	$	12.5		$	(2.3	)	$	19
	Per Share Data—Basic (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.24	$	0.13		$	(0.04	)	$	0.32
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.01		0.08			—			—
	Net income (loss)—basic	$	0.25	$	0.21		$	(0.04	)	$	0.32
	Per Share Data—Diluted (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.23	$	0.13		$	(0.04	)	$	0.31
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.01		0.08			—			—
	Net income (loss)—diluted	$	0.24	$	0.21		$	(0.04	)	$	0.31
		2013
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
		(in millions, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	535	$	418.9		$	267.3		$	266.6
	Operating income (loss) (a)	69.8		(15.2		)	17.9			31.9
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	8.6		(47.1		)	(7.1		)	(87.8		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	6.4		(133.3		)	2			2.4
	Net income (loss)	15		(180.4		)	(5.1		)	(85.4		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$	15	$	(180.4	)	$	(5.1	)	$	(85.4	)
	Per Share Data—Basic (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.15	$	(0.80	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(1.50	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.11		(2.27		)	0.03			0.04
	Net income (loss)—basic	$	0.26	$	(3.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(1.46	)
	Per Share Data—Diluted (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.14	$	(0.80	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(1.50	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.11		(2.27		)	0.03			0.04
	Net income (loss)—diluted	$	0.25	$	(3.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(1.46	)
	(a)	Among other items, the estimates inherent in the accounting process can impact quarterly comparability.
	(b)	Net income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods; accordingly, the sum of the quarters may not equal the full-year income (loss) per share.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
	For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
	(amounts in thousands)
		As of		2012					As of		2013					As of		2014					As of
	Description	1/1/12		Additions		Deductions			12/31/12		Additions		Deductions			12/31/13		Additions		Deductions			12/31/14
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	4,610	$	3,766	$	(1,068	)	$	7,308	$	2,190	$	(4,320	)	$	5,178	$	2,363	$	(2,578	)	$	4,963

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Organization [Policy Text Block]	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, and we are a party to a management contract, for Retama Park Racetrack located 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. We view each of our operating properties as an operating segment with the exception of our two properties in Jackpot, Nevada, which we view as one operating segment. For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
	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
	River City	St. Louis, Missouri
	Belterra	Florence, Indiana
	Belterra Park	Cincinnati, Ohio
	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 and Horseshu	Jackpot, Nevada
	We have classified certain of our assets and liabilities as held for sale in our 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 for all periods presented. In April 2014, we completed the sale of the ownership interests in the Lumière Place Casino and Hotels. For further information, see Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.” Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have not been adjusted for discontinued operations.
	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. 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 resolution 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 (“IRS”), and completion of financing transactions for both Prop Co and Op Co.
	In November 2014, in connection with our plan to pursue a REIT transaction, our Board of Directors adopted a short-term REIT protection shareholder rights plan to prohibit ownership of 9.8% or more of its outstanding common stock in order to safeguard our ability to pursue a pro rata dividend in the proposed REIT 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.
	In December 2014, we filed a request for a private letter ruling with the IRS. The private letter ruling seeks guidance on various technical tax matters related to the proposed REIT transaction. 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.
Principles of Consolidation Policy	Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results for the periods reflect all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of operating results. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in the common stock of unconsolidated affiliates in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates Policy	Use of Estimates. The preparation of 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.
	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 include 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 December 31, 2014.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Policy	Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months and are stated at the lower of cost or market value and are valued using Level 1 inputs.
Accounts Receivable Policy	Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable consist primarily of casino, hotel and other receivables. We extend casino credit to approved customers in states where it is permitted following investigations of creditworthiness. Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. We have estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.0 million and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, to reduce receivables to their carrying amount, which approximates fair value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based upon, among other things, collection experience, customer credit evaluations and the age of the receivables.
Inventories Policy	Inventories. Inventories, which consist primarily of food, beverage and retail items, are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out and the weighted average methods.
Restricted Cash Policy	Restricted Cash. Long-term restricted cash of $5.7 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively, consists primarily of indemnification trust deposits.
Land, Building, Vessels and Equipment Policy	Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment. Land, buildings, vessels and equipment are stated at cost.
	We capitalize the costs of improvements that extend the life of the asset. We expense maintenance and repairs costs as incurred. Gains or losses on the dispositions of land, buildings, vessels or equipment are included in the determination of income. We depreciate our land improvements, buildings, vessels and equipment using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the related lease term, as follows:
		Years
	Land improvements	5 to 20
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 35
	Vessels	10 to 25
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3 to 20
	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 portions 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 3, “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 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. If such conditions exist, we would compare the estimated fair value of the investment to its carrying value to determine if an impairment is indicated. In addition, we would determine if the impairment is other-than-temporary based on our assessment of all relevant factors, including consideration of our intent and ability to retain the investment. To estimate fair value, we would use a discounted cash flow analysis based on estimated future results of the investee and market indicators of terminal year capitalization rates.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Policy	Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. Goodwill consists of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangible assets include gaming licenses, trademarks and a racing license. 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. There were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012. During the third quarter of 2013, we determined there was an indication of impairment for our Boomtown Bossier City gaming license due to a decrease in forecasted financial performance resulting from new competition, and we recorded an impairment charge of $10.0 million. There were no impairments to other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2012. For further discussion, see Note 9, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a $50.0 million indefinite-lived intangible asset related to Belterra Park's video lottery terminal (“VLT”) license. As of December 31, 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, which is included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a total of $864.1 million of goodwill and $529.2 million of intangible assets related to our acquisitions of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (“Ameristar”) and Pinnacle Retama Partners, LLC. In November 2013, we completed the sale of our equity interests in the entity developing the Ameristar Casino Lake Charles project, and as a result, we no longer hold a $29.8 million gaming license acquired through the Ameristar acquisition. For further discussion, see Note 7, “Investments and Acquisition Activities” and Note 8, “Discontinued Operations.”
Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts/Premiums Policy	Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts/Premiums. Debt issuance costs include costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt and are capitalized and amortized over the contractual term of the debt to interest expense. Debt issuance costs of the revolving credit facility are amortized on a straight-line basis, while all other debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs were $44.1 million and $54.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are included in “Other assets, net” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Debt discounts/premiums incurred in connection with the issuance of debt have been included as a component of the carrying value of debt and are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts/premiums included in interest expense was $9.7 million, $6.4 million, and $6.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
Self-Insurance Accruals Policy	Self-Insurance Accruals. We are self-insured up to certain limits for costs associated with general liability, workers’ compensation and employee health coverage. Insurance claims and reserves include accruals of estimated settlements for known claims, legal costs related to settling such claims and accruals of actuarial estimates of incurred but not reported claims. At December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had total self-insurance accruals of $24.4 million and $26.2 million, respectively, which are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating these accruals, we consider historical loss experience and make judgments about the expected level of costs per claim. We believe the estimates of future liability are reasonable based upon our methodology; however, changes in health care costs, accident frequency and severity could materially affect the estimate for these liabilities.
Customer Loyalty Program Policy	Customer Loyalty Program. 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 December 31, 2014, and 2013, we had accrued $26.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for the estimated cost of providing these benefits. As of December 31, 2013, we had accrued $12.8 million for the estimated cost of providing benefits under Ameristar customer loyalty program. Such amounts are included in “Other accrued liabilities” in our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income Taxes Policy	Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within a reasonable time period. We assess tax positions using a two-step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a "more likely than not" threshold, and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50.0% percent of being realized. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed each balance sheet date. Liabilities recorded as a result of this analysis are classified as current or long-term based on the timing of expected payment. See Note 4, “Income Taxes,” for additional information.
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. Cash discounts and other cash incentives to customers related to gaming play are recorded as a reduction to gaming revenue. Food and beverage, lodging, retail, entertainment, and other operating revenues are recognized as products are delivered or services are performed. Advance deposits on lodging are recorded as accrued liabilities until services are provided to the customer.
	The retail value of food and beverage, lodging and other services furnished to guests on a complimentary basis is included in revenues and then deducted as promotional allowances in calculating total 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. These gaming taxes are an assessment on our gaming revenues and are recorded as a gaming department expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Advertising Costs Policy	Advertising Costs. We expense advertising costs the first time the advertising takes place. These costs are included in gaming expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, advertising costs associated with development projects are included in pre-opening, development and other costs until the project is completed.
Pre-Opening, Development and Other Costs Policy	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; master planning and conceptual design fees; 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 general and administrative costs related to our projects.
Share-based Compensation Policy	Share-based Compensation. We measure the cost of awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The grant-date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, is amortized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. See Note 6, “Employee Benefit Plans.”
Earnings Per Share Policy	Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share reflects the addition of potentially dilutive securities, which include in-the money stock options, restricted stock units and phantom stock units. We calculate the effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. A total of 1.6 million, 1.0 million, and 4.4 million out-of-money stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, because including them would have been anti-dilutive.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012, we recorded a net loss 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 such years. Options and securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share were 1.7 million and 0.5 million, respectively.
Business Combinations Policy	Business Combinations. We allocate the business combination 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. We determined the fair value of identifiable intangible assets, such as customer relationships and trademarks, as well as any other significant tangible assets or liabilities, such as long-lived property. The fair value allocation methodology requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities assumed. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities primarily using discounted cash flows and replacement cost analysis. Provisional fair value measurements of acquired assets and liabilities assumed may be retrospectively adjusted during the measurement period. The measurement period ends once we are able to determine we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date or once we determine that such information is unavailable. The measurement period does not extend beyond one year from the acquisition date. See Note 7, “Investment and Acquisition Activities,” for additional information.
Reclassifications Policy	Reclassifications. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to classification in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or losses.
Recently Issued 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. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	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. Given 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 consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Properties within Reportable Segments [Table Text Block]	For financial reporting purposes, we aggregate our operating segments into the following reportable segments:
	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
	River City	St. Louis, Missouri
	Belterra	Florence, Indiana
	Belterra Park	Cincinnati, Ohio
	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 and Horseshu	Jackpot, Nevada
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring	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 Consolidated Balance Sheets:
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in millions)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.6	$	0.6	$	—	$	—
	As of December 31, 2013
	Liabilities:
	Deferred compensation	$	0.8	$	0.8	$	—	$	—
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring	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 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
				(in millions)
	As of December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	14.8	$	21.7	$	—	$	18.5	$	3.2
	Promissory notes	$	12	$	16.8	$	—	$	16.8	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	$	3,986.60	$	4,029.90	$	—	$	4,029.90	$	—
	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	$	—
Depreciation Expense
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Depreciation expense	$	220.3	$	139.1	$	82.5
Estimated Useful Lives	We depreciate our land improvements, buildings, vessels and equipment using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the related lease term, as follows:
		Years
	Land improvements	5 to 20
	Buildings and improvements	10 to 35
	Vessels	10 to 25
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3 to 20
Complimentary Revenues	Complimentary revenues that have been excluded from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Food and beverage	$	135.3	$	94.7	$	58.1
	Lodging	61.1		49.3		28.1
	Retail, entertainment and other	18.2		13.4		9.6
	Total promotional allowances	$	214.6	$	157.4	$	95.8
	The cost to provide such complimentary benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense	$	160.9	$	111.2	$	72.4
Gaming Taxes	These taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Gaming taxes	$	557.3	$	378.6	$	261.8
Advertising Costs	These costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Advertising costs	$	30.6	$	20.9	$	22.1
Pre-opening and Development Costs	Pre-opening, development and other costs are expensed as incurred and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, consist of the following:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition (1)	$	2.2	$	85.3	$	—
	Belterra Park (2)	8.2		1.2		0.4
	Other (3)	2.6		2.5		21.1
	Total pre-opening, development and other costs	$	13	$	89	$	21.5
	-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	Costs in 2014 include $1.7 million of costs in 2014 associated with our evaluation and plan to pursue a REIT spin-off transaction. The 2012 total includes costs incurred in connection with our L'Auberge Baton Rouge property, which opened in 2012.

Land_Buildings_Vessels_and_Equ1

Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment	The following table presents a summary of our land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
	Land and land improvements	$	401.9		$	391.7
	Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,677.80			2,492.20
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	721.9			633.1
	Construction in progress	75.6			175.6
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross	3,877.20			3,692.60
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(860.2		)	(656.1		)
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	$	3,017.00		$	3,036.50

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		December 31, 2014
		Outstanding Principal				Unamortized (Discount) Premium				Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	$	606.6			$	—			$	606.6
	Term B-2 Loan due 2020	782.2				(21.1		)		761.1
	6.375% Senior Notes due 2021	850				—				850
	7.50% Senior Notes due 2021	1,040.00				53.8				1,093.80
	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	3,953.90				32.7				3,986.60
	Less current maturities	(11.0		)		—				(11.0		)
	Total long-term debt	$	3,942.90			$	32.7			$	3,975.60
		December 31, 2013
		Outstanding Principal				Unamortized (Discount) Premium				Long-Term Debt, Net
		(in millions)
	Senior Secured Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility due 2018	$	493.6			$	—			$	493.6
	Term B-1 Loan due 2016	202				(7.7		)		$	194.3
	Term B-2 Loan 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
Schedule of Redeemable Notes	All of our notes are redeemable prior to such times at a price that reflects a yield to the first call that is equivalent to the applicable Treasury bond yield plus 0.5 percentage points.
	6.375% Notes Redeemable				8.75% Notes Redeemable				7.75% Notes Redeemable				7.50% Notes Redeemable
	On or after		At a % of		On or after		At a % of		On or after		At a % of		On or after	At a % of
	August 1,		par equal to		May 15,		par equal to		April 1,		par equal to		April 15,	par equal to
	2016		104.78%		2015		104.38%		2017		103.88%		2015	105.62%
	2017		103.19%		2016		102.92%		2018		102.58%		2016	103.75%
	2018		101.59%		2017		101.46%		2019		101.29%		2017	101.88%
	2019 and thereafter		100.00%		2018 and thereafter		100.00%		2020 and thereafter		100.00%		2018 and thereafter	100.00%
Schedule of Interest Expense Net of Capitalized Interest	Interest expense, net, was as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Interest expense	$	255.9			$	173.5			$	114.8
	Interest income	(0.4		)		(0.4		)		(0.8		)
	Capitalized interest	(2.9		)		(3.3		)		(20.3		)
	Total interest expense, net	$	252.6			$	169.8			$	93.7
Schedule of Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt	Loss on early extinguishment of debt was as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	$	8.2			$	30.8			$	20.7
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	As of December 31, 2014, annual maturities of secured and unsecured notes payable are as follows (amounts shown in millions):
	Year ended December 31:
	2015	$	11
	2016	11
	2017	11
	2018	617.6
	2019	11
	Thereafter	3,292.30
	Total	3,953.90
	Less unamortized debt discounts	(21.1		)
	Unamortized debt premium	53.8
	Long-term debt, including current portion	$	3,986.60

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit From Continuing Operations	The composition of our income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, was as follows:
		Current				Deferred				Total
		(in millions)
	Year ended December 31, 2014:
	U.S. Federal	$	3.7			$	(8.3	)		$	(4.6	)
	State	(1.7		)		(4.8		)		(6.5		)
		$	2			$	(13.1	)		$	(11.1	)
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Federal	$	—			$	53.8			$	53.8
	State	(3.3		)		4.6				1.3
		$	(3.3	)		$	58.4			$	55.1
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	U.S. Federal	$	—			$	(0.9	)		$	(0.9	)
	State	(4.0		)		0.1				(3.9		)
		$	(4.0	)		$	(0.8	)		$	(4.8	)
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate from continuing operations to the federal statutory tax rate of 35%:
		2014							2013						2012
		Percent			Amount				Percent			Amount			Percent		Amount
		(dollars in millions)
	Federal income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	35	%		$	(17.3	)		35	%		$	66		35	%	$	3
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits	(0.1	)%		0.1				3.4	%		6.5			(52.5	)%	(4.4		)
	Non-deductible expenses and other	5.1	%		(2.5		)		(0.9	)%		(1.8		)	(8.1	)%	(0.7		)
	Cancellation of stock options	—	%		—				—	%		—			(24.5	)%	(2.1		)
	Acquisition costs	1.1	%		(0.5		)		(5.4	)%		(10.2		)	—	%	—
	Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits	1.8	%		(0.9		)		(0.1	)%		(0.2		)	(1.4	)%	(0.1		)
	Credits	(4.8	)%		2.3				0.8	%		1.6			6.2	%	0.4
	Change in valuation allowance/reserve of deferred tax assets	(15.6	)%		7.7				(3.6	)%		(6.8		)	(10.9	)%	(0.9		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations	22.5	%		$	(11.1	)		29.2	%		$	55.1		(56.2	)%	$	(4.8	)
Allocation of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit Between Continuing Operations, Discontinued Operations and Equity	The following table shows the allocation of income tax (expense) benefit between continuing operations, discontinued operations and equity:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	49.4			$	(188.5	)		$	(8.4	)
	Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to continuing operations	(11.1		)		55.1				(4.8		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	38.3				(133.4		)		(13.2		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	5.2				(123.8		)		(18.9		)
	Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to discontinued operations	0.3				1.2				0.3
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	5.5				(122.6		)		(18.6		)
	Net income (loss)	$	43.8			$	(255.9	)		$	(31.8	)
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	At December 31, 2014, and 2013, the tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Deferred tax assets—current:
	Workers’ compensation insurance reserve	$	4.3			$	4.3
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	2.5				2.8
	Legal and merger costs	2.3				4.8
	Accruals, reserves and other	28.4				29.2
	Less valuation allowance	(17.9		)		(22.5		)
	Total deferred tax assets—current	19.6				18.6
	Deferred tax liabilities—current:
	Prepaid expenses	(7.8		)		(7.0		)
	Accruals, reserves and other	(4.3		)		(3.9		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities—current	(12.1		)		(10.9		)
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	7.5			$	7.7
	Deferred tax assets—non-current:
	Federal tax credit carry-forwards	$	34.1			$	31.2
	Federal net operating loss carry-forwards	214.5				188.1
	State net operating loss carry-forwards	36.6				29.6
	Capital loss carry-forwards	—				5.9
	Deferred compensation	2.6				2.6
	Pre-opening expenses capitalized for tax purposes	13.2				10.8
	ACDL investment write-down	38.5				38.5
	Share-based compensation expense—book cost	10				8.8
	Bond payable	23.2				27.7
	Accruals, reserves and other	43.7				42
	Less valuation allowance	(227.8		)		(237.7		)
	Total deferred tax assets—non-current	188.6				147.5
	Deferred tax liabilities—non-current:
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	(221.4		)		(187.2		)
	Intangible assets	(144.9		)		(126.8		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities—non-current	(366.3		)		(314.0		)
	Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	(177.7	)		$	(166.5	)
	The following table summarizes the total deferred tax assets and total deferred tax liabilities provided in the previous table:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	453.9			$	426.3
	Less valuation allowances	(245.7		)		(260.2		)
	Less total deferred tax liabilities	(378.4		)		(324.9		)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(170.2	)		$	(158.8	)
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table summarizes the activity related to uncertain tax benefits for 2014 and 2013, excluding any interest or penalties:
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Balance as of January 1	$	35.7			$	9.4
	Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods	1.4				—
	Gross increases - tax positions in current period	0.6				3.5
	Gross decreases - tax positions in current period	—				(0.9		)
	Acquisition	—				23.8
	Statute of limitation expirations	—				(0.1		)
	Balance as of December 31	$	37.7			$	35.7

Lease_Obligations_Tables

Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	Minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (amounts are reflected in millions):
	Period:
	2015	$	12.5
	2016	12.1
	2017	10.8
	2018	10.5
	2019	10.1
	Thereafter	558.2
		$	614.2
Schedule of Slot and Table Game Participation Expense	Slot and table game participation fees included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Slot and table game participation fees	$	27.8	$	20.7	$	16.4

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award	The following table summarizes information related to our common stock options under the Stock Option Plans:
			Number of Stock Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
										(in years)		(in millions)
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014		5,509,246			$	14.01
	Granted		939,780			$	23.45
	Exercised		(480,495	)		$	13.57
	Canceled / Forfeited		(399,903	)		$	20.51
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014		5,568,628			$	15.17			4.75		$	41.7
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2014		3,210,753			$	12.81			4.12		$	31.3
	Expected to vest at December 31, 2014		1,802,431			$	18.67			5.63		$	7.5
Schedule of Weighted-Average Value per Granted Option	The following information is provided for our stock options:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions, except grant date fair value)
	Weighted-average grant date fair value	$	9.04			$	10.63			$	5.06
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	5.4			$	9.2			$	0.5
	Net cash proceeds from exercise of stock options	$	6.6			$	10.1			$	1.5
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity	The following table summarizes information related to our restricted stock units as of December 31, 2014:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014	629,518			$	20.11
	Granted	1,003,918			$	22.94
	Vested	(263,864	)		$	20.25
	Canceled / Forfeited	(156,639	)		$	22.78
	Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014	1,212,933			$	22.2
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity	The following table summarizes information related to our performance stock units as of December 31, 2014:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value
	Non-vested shares at January 1, 2014	431.858			$	22.79
	Granted	123,283			$	26.5
	Canceled / Forfeited	(34,819	)		$	23.14
	Non-vested shares at December 31, 2014	520,322			$	23.64
Schedule of Weighted Average of Assumptions Used	In computing the share-based compensation, the following is a weighted average of the assumptions used:
			Risk- Free Interest Rate			Expected Life at Issuance (in years)		Expected Volatility			Expected Dividends
	Options granted in the following periods:
	2014		1.5	%		5.17		41.2	%		None
	2013		1.2	%		5.11		57	%		None
	2012		0.8	%		5.25		58	%		None
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	The total compensation costs recognized were as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
		(in millions)
	Share-based compensation expense	$	13.9			$	11.5			$	8.5
Schedule of Benefit Obligations	The total obligation under the Executive Plan and the cash surrender value of insurance policies are as follow:
		December 31,
		2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Total obligation under Executive Plan (a)	$	6.7			$	6.5
	Cash surrender value of insurance policies (b)	$	2.9			$	2.8
	(a)	Recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	(b)	Recorded in “Other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac1

Investments and Acquisition Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	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	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	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 8, “Discontinued Operations,” for further detail.
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	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
		$	524,200

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Discontinued Operations	Revenue, expense and net income (loss) for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014		2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues	$	41	$	181.3		$	213.1
	Operating income (loss)	4.7		(123.5		)	(19.0		)
	Other non-operating income (loss), net	0.5		(0.3		)	0.1
	Income (loss) before income taxes	5.2		(123.8		)	(18.9		)
	Income tax benefit	0.3		1.2			0.3
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	5.5	$	(122.6	)	$	(18.6	)
Net Assets for Entities and Operations Included in Discontinued Operations	Net assets for entities and operations included in discontinued operations are summarized as follows:
		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$	11.8	$	275.3
	Other assets, net	9.4		47.2
	Total assets	$	21.2	$	322.5
	Liabilities:
	Total liabilities	0.4		26.1
	Net assets	$	20.8	$	296.4

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The following tables set forth changes in the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets:
		31-Dec-14
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Value				Cumulative Amortization				Cumulative Impairment Losses			Intangible Assets, Net
	Goodwill:	(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition	Indefinite		$	860.8			$	—			$	—		$	860.8
	Belterra Park	Indefinite		35.8				—				—			35.8
	Boomtown New Orleans	Indefinite		16.8				—				—			16.8
	Other	Indefinite		5.9				—				—			5.9
				919.3				—				—			919.3
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
	Gaming licenses	Indefinite		318.6				—				(31.1		)	287.5
	Trade names	Indefinite		187.2				—				—			187.2
	Racing license	Indefinite		5				—				—			5
				510.8				—				(31.1		)	479.7
	Amortizing Intangible Assets:
	Player relationships	5		75.1				(29.7		)		—			45.4
	Favorable leasehold interests	31		4.4				(0.2		)		—			4.2
				79.5				(29.9		)		—			49.6
	Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets			$	1,509.60			$	(29.9	)		$	(31.1	)	$	1,448.60
		31-Dec-13
		Weighted Average Remaining Useful Life (years)		Gross Carrying Value				Cumulative Amortization				Cumulative Impairment Losses			Intangible Assets, Net
	Goodwill:	(in millions)
	Ameristar acquisition	Indefinite		$	860.8			$	—			$	—		$	860.8
	Belterra Park	Indefinite		35.8				—				—			35.8
	Boomtown New Orleans	Indefinite		16.8				—				—			16.8
	Other	Indefinite		5.9				—				—			5.9
				919.3				—				—			919.3
	Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets:
	Gaming licenses	Indefinite		268.6				—				(31.1		)	237.5
	Trade names	Indefinite		187.2				—				—			187.2
	Racing license	Indefinite		5				—				—			5
				460.8				—				(31.1		)	429.7
	Amortizing Intangible Assets:
	Player relationships	6		75.1				(9.0		)		—			66.1
	Favorable leasehold interests	32		4.4				(0.1		)		—			4.3
				79.5				(9.1		)		—			70.4
	Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets			$	1,459.60			$	(9.1	)		$	(31.1	)	$	1,419.40
Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	Estimated future annual amortization is as follows:
		Player Relationships				Favorable Leasehold Interests				Total
		(in millions)
	Year ended December 31:
	2015	$	15.8			$	0.1			$	15.9
	2016	11.9				0.1				12
	2017	8.8				0.1				8.9
	2018	6.5				0.1				6.6
	2019	2.1				0.1				2.2
	Thereafter	0.3				3.7				4
	Total	$	45.4			$	4.2			$	49.6

Writedowns_reserves_and_recove1

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Write Downs Reserves And Recoveries Net Abstract
Schedule of Write Downs Reserves And Recoveries Net	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net, consist of the following:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
		(in millions)
	Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net	$	3.5		$	2.8	$	(1.2	)
	Lease abandonment	3			—		—
	Reserve on loan receivable	—			0.1		1.7
	Impairment of long-lived assets	—			2.9		0.3
	Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	—			10		—
	Other	(0.1		)	1.5		—
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	$	6.4		$	17.3	$	0.8

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ1

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	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:
											Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
		Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
		(in millions)
	Statements of Operations
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,974.40		$	—		$	—		$	1,974.40
	Food and beverage	—			118.4			—			—			118.4
	Lodging	—			50.6			—			—			50.6
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			67			—			—			67.1
		0.1			2,210.40			—			—			2,210.50
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			1,056.90			—			—			1,056.90
	Food and beverage	—			110.3			—			—			110.3
	Lodging	—			24			—			—			24
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			27			—			—			27
	General and administrative	96.2			324.9			0.3			—			421.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	4.3			8.3			0.3			—			12.9
	Depreciation and amortization	8.5			232.5			—			—			241
	Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	4.2			2.2			—			—			6.4
		113.2			1,786.10			0.6			—			1,900.00
	Operating income (loss)	(113.1		)	424.3			(0.6		)	—			310.5
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	292.5			—			—			(292.5		)	—
	Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(255.4		)	2.7			—			—			(252.7		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	—			—			—			(8.2		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(0.2		)	—			(0.2		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(84.2		)	427			(0.8		)	(292.5		)	49.4
	Management fee and inter-company interest	149.8			(149.8		)	—			—			—
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(21.8		)	10.7			—			—			(11.1		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	43.8			287.9			(0.8		)	(292.5		)	38.3
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			5.5			—			—			5.5
	Net income (loss)	$	43.8		$	293.4		$	(0.8	)	$	(292.5	)	$	43.8
											Consolidating			Pinnacle
		Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
		Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
		Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
		(in millions)
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	Revenues:
	Gaming	$	—		$	1,327.30		$	—		$	—		$	1,327.30
	Food and beverage	—			78.9			—			—			78.9
	Lodging	—			31.3			—			—			31.3
	Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			50.2			—			—			50.3
		0.1			1,487.70			—			—			1,487.80
	Expenses:
	Gaming	—			733.5			—			—			733.5
	Food and beverage	—			69.8			—			—			69.8
	Lodging	—			14.8			—			—			14.8
	Retail, entertainment and other	—			23.3			—			—			23.3
	General and administrative	63.1			223.8			0.5			—			287.4
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	86.2			2.1			0.7			—			89
	Depreciation and amortization	6.5			142			—			—			148.5
	Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	1.1			14.5			1.6			—			17.2
		156.9			1,223.80			2.8			—			1,383.50
	Operating income (loss)	(156.8		)	263.9			(2.8		)	—			104.3
	Equity earnings of subsidiaries	(16.1		)	—			—			16.1			—
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(30.8		)	—			—			—			(30.8		)
	Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(92.2		)	—			(92.2		)
	Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(177.4		)	7.7			—			—			(169.7		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(381.1		)	271.6			(95.0		)	16.1			(188.4		)
	Management fee and inter-company interest	70.1			(70.1		)	—			—			—
Income tax benefit	55.1			—			—			—			55.1
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(255.9		)	201.5			(95.0		)	16.1			(133.3		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			(122.5		)	(0.1		)	—			(122.6		)
Net income (loss)	$	(255.9	)	$	79		$	(95.1	)	$	16.1		$	(255.9	)
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Revenues:
Gaming	$	—		$	892.3		$	—		$	—		$	892.3
Food and beverage	—			53.5			—			—			53.5
Lodging	—			21.9			—			—			21.9
Retail, entertainment and other	0.1			34.5			0.5			—			35.1
	0.1			1,002.20			0.5			—			1,002.80
Expenses:
Gaming	—			501.4			—			—			501.4
Food and beverage	—			47.1			—			—			47.1
Lodging	—			11.6			—			—			11.6
Retail, entertainment and other	—			19.1			0.7			—			19.8
General and administrative	26.7			153.9			0.6			—			181.2
Pre-opening, development and other costs	3.2			16.7			1.6			—			21.5
Depreciation and amortization	3.3			79.2			0.2			—			82.7
Write downs, reserves, recoveries, net	0.3			(1.2		)	1.7			—			0.8
	33.5			827.8			4.8			—			866.1
Operating income (loss)	(33.4		)	174.4			(4.3		)	—			136.7
Equity earnings of subsidiaries	111.3			(0.1		)	—			(111.2		)	—
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(20.7		)	—			—			—			(20.7		)
Loss from equity method investment	—			—			(30.8		)	—			(30.8		)
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net	(114.4		)	12			8.7			—			(93.7		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes	(57.2		)	186.3			(26.4		)	(111.2		)	(8.5		)
Management fee and inter-company interest	30.1			(20.2		)	(8.4		)	(1.5		)	—
Income tax expense	(4.7		)	—			—			—			(4.7		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(31.8		)	166.1			(34.8		)	(112.7		)	(13.2		)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			(20.0		)	(0.1		)	1.5			(18.6		)
Net income (loss)	$	(31.8	)	$	146.1		$	(34.9	)	$	(111.2	)	$	(31.8	)
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2014
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	$	73.4		$	184.5		$	23.3		$	(23.3	)	$	257.9
Property and equipment, net	34.3			2,977.20			5.4			—			3,016.90
Goodwill	—			916			3.3			—			919.3
Intangible assets, net	—			524.3			5			—			529.3
Other non-current assets	60			4.6			24.4			—			89
Investment in subsidiaries	4,470.80			—			—			(4,470.8		)	—
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3.6			17.7			—			—			21.3
Inter-company	—			352			—			(352.0		)	—
Total assets	$	4,642.10		$	4,976.30		$	61.4		$	(4,846.1	)	$	4,833.70
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	$	100.8		$	273.1		$	—		$	(23.3	)	$	350.6
Notes payable, long term	3,975.50			0.1			—			—			3,975.60
Other non-current liabilities	(63.0		)	280.6			—			—			217.6
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale	—			0.4			—			—			0.4
Inter-company	350.8			—			1.2			(352.0		)	—
Total liabilities	4,364.10			554.2			1.2			(375.3		)	4,544.20
Total Pinnacle stockholders' equity	278			4,422.10			48.8			(4,470.8		)	278.1
Non-controlling interest	—			—			11.4			—			11.4
Total equity	278			4,422.10			60.2			(4,470.8		)	289.5
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,642.10		$	4,976.30		$	61.4		$	(4,846.1	)	$	4,833.70
As of December 31, 2013
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	$	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, excluding discontinued operations	$	114.8		$	231.4		$	0.1		$	—		$	346.3
Notes payable, long term	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
Total Pinnacle stockholders' 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
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2014
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	119.3		$	234.4		$	(25.2	)	$	—		$	328.5
Capital expenditures and land additions	(12.0		)	(218.8		)	—			—			(230.8		)
Purchases of intangible assets	—			(25.0		)	—			—			(25.0		)
Escrow funds	—			25			—			—			25
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale	—			258.5			—			—			258.5
Restricted cash	5.9			—			—			—			5.9
Inter-company transfers of proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale and other	260.2			(258.1		)	(2.5		)	—			(0.4		)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	254.1			(218.4		)	(2.5		)	—			33.2
Proceeds from credit facility	291.7			—			—			—			291.7
Repayments under credit facility	(693.0		)	—			—			—			(693.0		)
Other	5.7			—			—			—			5.7
Cash provided by financing activities	(395.6		)	—			—			—			(395.6		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(22.2		)	16			(27.7		)	—			(33.9		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28.6			142.3			27.7			—			198.6
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	6.4		$	158.3		$	—		$	—		$	164.7
For the year ended December 31, 2013
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(1,754.5	)	$	1,895.50		$	20.1		$	—		$	161.1
Capital expenditures and land additions	(5.8		)	(286.8		)	—			—			(292.6		)
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	4.4			—			(5.9		)	—			(1.5		)
Payments for business combinations, net	—			(1,749.7		)	—			—			(1,749.7		)
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations held for sale	—			205.7			—			—			205.7
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.9		)	—			(6.9		)
Other	0.5			4.1			(2.4		)	—			2.2
Cash used in investing activities	(0.9		)	(1,826.7		)	(15.2		)	—			(1,842.8		)
Proceeds from credit facility	2,168.80			—			—			—			2,168.80
Repayments under credit facility	(15.1		)	—			—			—			(15.1		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	850			—			—			—			850
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,190.3		)	—			—			—			(1,190.3		)
Other	(34.9		)	—			—			—			(34.9		)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,778.50			—			—			—			1,778.50
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	23.1			68.8			4.9			—			96.8
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5.5			73.5			22.8			—			101.8
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	28.6		$	142.3		$	27.7		$	—		$	198.6
										Consolidating			Pinnacle
	Pinnacle			100% Owned			Non-			and			Entertainment,
	Entertainment,			Guarantor			Guarantor			Eliminating			Inc.
	Inc.			Subsidiaries(a)			Subsidiaries(b)			Entries			Consolidated
	(in millions)
For the year ended December 31, 2012
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(140.0	)	$	277.7		$	49.2		$	—		$	186.9
Capital expenditures and land additions	(4.1		)	(294.8		)	(0.5		)	—			(299.4		)
Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	(4.5		)	—			(15.6		)	—			(20.1		)
Refund from escrow deposit	—			25			—			—			25
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	—			10.8			—			—			10.8
Equity method investment	—			(0.3		)	(24.1		)	—			(24.4		)
Loans receivable, net	—			—			(6.0		)	—			(6.0		)
Other	0.1			7.1			4.8			—			12
Cash used in investing activities	(8.5		)	(252.2		)	(41.4		)	—			(302.1		)
Proceeds from credit facility	47.5			—			—			—			47.5
Repayments under credit facility	(103.5		)	—			—			—			(103.5		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	646.8			—			—			—			646.8
Repayment of long-term debt	(392.2		)	—			—			—			(392.2		)
Debt issuance and other financing costs	(12.4		)	—			—			—			(12.4		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(51.0		)	—			—			—			(51.0		)
Other	1.5			—			—			—			1.5
Cash provided by financing activities	136.7			—			—			—			136.7
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(11.8		)	25.5			7.8			—			21.5
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17.3			48			15			—			80.3
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	5.5		$	73.5		$	22.8		$	—		$	101.8
(a)	As of December 31, 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 $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 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)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information	The following table highlights our Adjusted EBITDA for each segment and reconciles Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Income (loss) from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
		For the year ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
		(in millions)
	Revenues:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	1,185.20		$	650.9		$	367.3
	South segment (a)	801.9			748.1			634.9
	West segment (a)	216			82.9			—
		2,203.10			1,481.90			1,002.20
	Corporate and other (c)	7.4			6			0.6
	Total revenues	$	2,210.50		$	1,487.90		$	1,002.80
	Adjusted EBITDA (b):
	Midwest segment (a)	$	348.4		$	183.7		$	94.3
	South segment (a)	244.4			213.5			176.6
	West segment (a)	78.2			27.7			—
		671			424.9			270.9
	Corporate expenses and other (c)	(86.2		)	(54.3		)	(20.6		)
	Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (b)	$	584.8		$	370.6		$	250.3
	Other benefits (costs):
	Depreciation and amortization	(241.1		)	(148.5		)	(82.7		)
	Pre-opening, development and other costs	(13.0		)	(89.0		)	(21.5		)
	Non-cash share-based compensation	(13.9		)	(11.5		)	(8.5		)
	Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(6.4		)	(17.3		)	(0.8		)
	Interest expense, net	(252.6		)	(169.8		)	(93.7		)
	Loss from equity method investment	(0.2		)	(92.2		)	(30.8		)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8.2		)	(30.8		)	(20.7		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	(11.1		)	55.1			(4.8		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	38.3		$	(133.4	)	$	(13.2	)
	Capital expenditures
	Midwest segment (a)	$	158.2		$	139.4		$	37.1
	South segment (a)	51			77.8			249
	West segment (a)	7.7			1.7			—
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	13.9			73.7			13.4
		$	230.8		$	292.6		$	299.5
		December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Midwest segment (a)	$	2,758.10		$	2,669.10
	South segment (a)	1,294.80			1,322.80
	West segment (a)	546.6			568.4
	Corporate and other, including development projects and discontinued operations	1,008.20			1,627.00
	Eliminations	(774.0		)	(1,027.9		)
		$	4,833.70		$	5,159.40
	(a) See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for a 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 and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. 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. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
		(in millions, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	554.3	$	568.3		$	555.2		$	532.8
	Operating income (a)	78.7		77.2			66.8			87.7
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	14.2		7.7			(2.3		)	18.7
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.4		4.8			—			0.3
	Net income (loss)	14.6		12.5			(2.3		)	19
	Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$	14.6	$	12.5		$	(2.3	)	$	19
	Per Share Data—Basic (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.24	$	0.13		$	(0.04	)	$	0.32
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.01		0.08			—			—
	Net income (loss)—basic	$	0.25	$	0.21		$	(0.04	)	$	0.32
	Per Share Data—Diluted (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.23	$	0.13		$	(0.04	)	$	0.31
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.01		0.08			—			—
	Net income (loss)—diluted	$	0.24	$	0.21		$	(0.04	)	$	0.31
		2013
		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,
		(in millions, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	535	$	418.9		$	267.3		$	266.6
	Operating income (loss) (a)	69.8		(15.2		)	17.9			31.9
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	8.6		(47.1		)	(7.1		)	(87.8		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	6.4		(133.3		)	2			2.4
	Net income (loss)	15		(180.4		)	(5.1		)	(85.4		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$	15	$	(180.4	)	$	(5.1	)	$	(85.4	)
	Per Share Data—Basic (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.15	$	(0.80	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(1.50	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.11		(2.27		)	0.03			0.04
	Net income (loss)—basic	$	0.26	$	(3.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(1.46	)
	Per Share Data—Diluted (b)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.14	$	(0.80	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(1.50	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0.11		(2.27		)	0.03			0.04
	Net income (loss)—diluted	$	0.25	$	(3.07	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(1.46	)
	(a)	Among other items, the estimates inherent in the accounting process can impact quarterly comparability.
	(b)	Net income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods; accordingly, the sum of the quarters may not equal the full-year income (loss) per share.

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 29, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013
	property
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of casinos owned and operated	15
Cash and cash equivalents	$164,654,000	$191,938,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	4,963,000	5,178,000
Restricted cash	5,667,000	11,592,000
Goodwill impairment loss	0	0	0
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	10,000,000	0
Goodwill, Gross	919,300,000	919,300,000
Purchase of intangible asset	-25,000,000	0	-1,057,000
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	25,000,000	0	0
Goodwill		864,100,000
Intangible assets		529,200,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	44,100,000	54,100,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	9,700,000	6,400,000	6,500,000
Self insurance accruals	24,400,000	26,200,000
Customer loyalty program liability	26,600,000	18,900,000
Estimated costs of providing benefits under Ameristar customer loyalty program		12,800,000
Threshold for uncertain tax positions	50.00%
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	51,000,000
Retama Partners
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Goodwill				3,300,000
Intangible assets				5,000,000
Belterra Park
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	35,800,000	35,800,000
Intangible assets-gaming license	50,000,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Bad debt expense	2,363,000	2,190,000	3,766,000
Boomtown Bossier City
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets		10,000,000			10,000,000
Belterra Park
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Purchase of intangible asset	-25,000,000
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	25,000,000
Ameristar Lake Charles
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets-gaming license						$29,800,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS
Held-to-maturity Securities	$14,800,000	$14,800,000
Promissory Notes	12,000,000	9,500,000
Liabilities:
Debt	3,986,600,000	4,380,100,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	600,000	800,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	600,000	800,000
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	0	0
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	0	0
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring
ASSETS
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,700,000	30,100,000
Promissory Notes, Fair Value Disclosure	16,800,000	16,500,000
Liabilities:
Long-term Debt, Fair Value Disclosure	4,029,900,000	4,511,900,000
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
ASSETS
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Promissory Notes, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities:
Long-term Debt, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
ASSETS
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,500,000	26,700,000
Promissory Notes, Fair Value Disclosure	16,800,000	16,500,000
Liabilities:
Long-term Debt, Fair Value Disclosure	4,029,900,000	4,511,900,000
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
ASSETS
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3,200,000	3,400,000
Promissory Notes, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities:
Long-term Debt, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Land not used in operations	$37.60	$39.20
Depreciation expense	$220.30	$139.10	$82.50
Minimum | Land Improvements
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	5 years
Minimum | Buildings and Improvements
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	10 years
Minimum | Vessels
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	10 years
Minimum | Furniture, Fxtures and Equipment
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum | Land Improvements
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	20 years
Maximum | Buildings and Improvements
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	35 years
Maximum | Vessels
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	25 years
Maximum | Furniture, Fxtures and Equipment
Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment
Estimated useful life	20 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition, Gaming Taxes and Advertising Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Food and beverage	$135.30	$94.70	$58.10
Lodging	61.1	49.3	28.1
Retail, entertainment and other	18.2	13.4	9.6
Total promotional allowances	214.6	157.4	95.8
Promotional allowance costs included in gaming expense	160.9	111.2	72.4
Gaming taxes	557.3	378.6	261.8
Advertising costs	$30.60	$20.90	$22.10

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Pre-opening and Development Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pre-opening and Development Costs
Pre-opening and development costs	$12,962	$89,009	$21,508
Ameristar Acquisition
Pre-opening and Development Costs
Pre-opening and development costs	2,200	85,300	0
Belterra Park
Pre-opening and Development Costs
Pre-opening and development costs	8,200	1,200	400
Other
Pre-opening and Development Costs
Pre-opening and development costs	2,600	2,500	21,100
REIT costs [Member]
Pre-opening and Development Costs
Pre-opening and development costs	$1,700

Summary_of_Signitifcant_Accoun

Summary of Signitifcant Accounting Policies - Earnings per Share (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Options and securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share		1.7	0.5
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Options and securities not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share	1.6	1	4.4

Land_Buildings_Vessels_and_Equ2

Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment - Summary of Land, Buildings, Vessels and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
Land and land improvements	$401,900,000	$391,700,000
Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,677,800,000	2,492,200,000
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	721,900,000	633,100,000
Construction in progress	75,600,000	175,600,000
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, gross	3,877,200,000	3,692,600,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	860,200,000	656,100,000
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	3,017,009,000	3,036,515,000
Asset impairment charges	0	1,534,000	6,950,000
L'Auberge Lake Charles
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment:
Asset impairment charges		$1,500,000

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-10
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	$3,953,900,000	$4,355,200,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	32,700,000	24,900,000
Debt	3,986,600,000	4,380,100,000
Current portion of long-term debt	-11,006,000	-16,006,000
Long-term debt, noncurrent	3,942,900,000	4,339,200,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,975,648,000	4,364,045,000
Line of Credit
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	606,600,000	493,600,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	0	0
Debt	606,618,000	493,600,000
Term B1 due 2016
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross		202,000,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium		-7,700,000
Debt		194,300,000
Term B2 due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	782,200,000	1,094,500,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	-21,100,000	-26,000,000
Debt	761,100,000	1,068,500,000
Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	850,000,000	850,000,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	0	0
Debt	850,000,000	850,000,000
Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,040,000,000	1,040,000,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	53,800,000	58,600,000
Debt	1,093,800,000	1,098,500,000
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	325,000,000	325,000,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	0	0
Debt	325,000,000	325,000,000
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	350,000,000	350,000,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	0	0
Debt	350,000,000	350,000,000	350,000,000
Other
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt, Gross	100,000	100,000
Unamortized (Discount) Premium	0	0
Debt	$100,000	$100,000

LongTerm_Debt_Amended_and_Rest

Long-Term Debt - Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013	31-May-10
Long-term Debt
Revolving credit commitment			$1,000,000,000
Debt	3,986,600,000	4,380,100,000
Term Loan
Long-term Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			1,600,000,000
Term B1 due 2016
Long-term Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity			500,000,000
Debt		194,300,000
Term B2 due 2020
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Spread on Base Rate Loan			1.75%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Floor on Eurodollar Loan and Base Rate Loan			1.00%
Maximum borrowing capacity			1,100,000,000
Debt	761,100,000	1,068,500,000
Stated percentage			0.25%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Spread on LIBOR Loan			2.75%
Revolving Credit Facility
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Spread on LIBOR Loan (Minimum in Range)			1.75%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Spread on Base Rate Loan (Maximum in Range)			1.75%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Spread on LIBOR Loan (Maximum in Range)			2.75%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Margin on Base Rate Loan (Minimum in Range)			0.75%
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Debt	350,000,000	350,000,000		350,000,000
Debt instrument, stated percentage				8.75%
Line of Credit
Long-term Debt
Debt	606,618,000	493,600,000
Covenant maximum consolidated total leverage	7.5
Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio	2
Maximum consolidated senior secured debt ratio	3
Maximum senior unsecured debt allowed	3,500,000,000
Maximum consolidated ratio allowed for increase in unsecured borrowings	6
Letter of Credit
Long-term Debt
Line of credit	$12,700,000

LongTerm_Debt_Senior_Notes_Det

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-10	Mar. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2009
Long-term Debt
Early redemption premium	50.00%
Interest Paid, Net	$242,507,000	$141,199,000	$82,831,000
Debt	3,986,600,000	4,380,100,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	-8,234,000	-30,830,000	-20,718,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	0	850,000,000	646,750,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	3,953,900,000	4,355,200,000
Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				6.38%
Debt	850,000,000	850,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt				835,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	850,000,000	850,000,000
8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					8.75%
Debt	350,000,000	350,000,000			350,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt					341,500,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	350,000,000	350,000,000
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			7.50%
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		-30,800,000
Senior Notes Due 2017
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							8.63%
Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%
Debt	1,093,800,000	1,098,500,000
Premium Included In Recorded Fair Value Of Senior Notes	72,800,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,040,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,040,000,000	1,040,000,000
7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						7.75%
Debt	325,000,000	325,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						325,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt						318,300,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$325,000,000	$325,000,000
Credit Spread Option
Long-term Debt
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
On or after August 1 2016 | Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	104.78%
On or after August 1 2017 | Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	103.19%
On Or After August 1 2018 | Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	101.59%
On or after August 1 2019 and thereafter | Senior Notes Due 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	100.00%
On or after May 15 2015 | 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	104.38%
On or after May 15 2016 | 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	102.92%
On or after May 15 2017 | 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	101.46%
On or after May 15 2018 and thereafter | 8.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	100.00%
On or after April 1 2017 | 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	103.88%
On or after April 1 2018 | 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	102.58%
On or after April 1 2019 | 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	101.29%
On or after April 1 2020 and thereafter | 7.75% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2022
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	100.00%
On Or After April 15 2015 | Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	105.63%
On Or After April 15 2016 | Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	103.75%
On Or After April 15 2017 | Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	101.88%
On Or After April 15 2018 and thereafter | Senior Notes Due April 2021
Long-term Debt
Long-term Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percent of Face Amount	100.00%

LongTerm_Debt_Interest_Expense

Long-Term Debt - Interest Expense and Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Interest expense	$255,900,000	$173,500,000	$114,800,000
Interest income	-400,000	-400,000	-800,000
Capitalized interest	-2,900,000	-3,300,000	-20,300,000
Interest Expense	252,647,000	169,812,000	93,670,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-8,234,000	-30,830,000	-20,718,000
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	-8,200,000
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			7.50%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		($30,800,000)

LongTerm_Debt_Credit_Facility_

Long-Term Debt - Credit Facility and Term Loan (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt
Current portion of long-term debt	$11,006	$16,006

LongTerm_Debt_Annual_Maturitie

Long-Term Debt - Annual Maturities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]
2015	$11
2016	11
2017	11
2018	617.6
2019	11
Thereafter	3,292.30
Total	3,953.90
Less unamortized debt discounts	-21.1
Unamortized debt premium	53.8
Debt	$3,986.60	$4,380.10

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current Federal Tax (Expense) Benefit	$3,700,000	$0	$0
Current State and Local Tax (Expense) Benefit	-1,700,000	-3,300,000	-4,000,000
Current Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	2,000,000	-3,300,000	-4,000,000
Deferred Federal Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	-8,300,000	53,800,000	-900,000
Deferred State and Local Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	-4,800,000	4,600,000	100,000
Deferred Income Tax (Expense) Benefit	-13,100,000	58,400,000	-800,000
Federal Income Tax (Expense) Benefit, Continuing Operations	-4,600,000	53,800,000	-900,000
State and Local Income Tax (Expense) Benefit, Continuing Operations	-6,500,000	1,300,000	-3,900,000
Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations	($11,096,000)	$55,055,000	($4,764,000)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Effective Income Tax Rate (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate, percent	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Federal income tax (expense) benefit at the statutory rate	($17,300,000)	$66,000,000	$3,000,000
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits, percent	-0.10%	3.40%	-52.50%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits	100,000	6,500,000	-4,400,000
Non-deductible expenses and other, percent	5.10%	-0.90%	-8.10%
Non-deductible expenses and other	-2,500,000	-1,800,000	-700,000
Cancellation of stock options, percent	0.00%	0.00%	-24.50%
Cancellation of stock options	0	0	-2,100,000
Acquisition costs, percent	1.10%	-5.40%	0.00%
Acquisition costs	-500,000	-10,200,000	0
Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, percent	1.80%	-0.10%	-1.40%
Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits	-900,000	-200,000	-100,000
Credits, percent	-4.80%	0.80%	6.20%
Credits	2,300,000	1,600,000	400,000
Change in valuation allowance/reserve of deferred tax assets, percent	-15.60%	-3.60%	-10.90%
Change in valuation allowance/reserve of deferred tax assets	7,700,000	-6,800,000	-900,000
Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations, percent	22.50%	29.20%	-56.20%
Income tax (expense) benefit from continuing operations	$11,096,000	($55,055,000)	$4,764,000

Income_Taxes_Allocation_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Allocation of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									$49,400,000	($188,500,000)	($8,400,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to continuing operations									-11,100,000	55,100,000	-4,800,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations									38,300,000	-133,400,000	-13,200,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes									5,200,000	-123,800,000	-18,900,000
Income tax (expense) benefit allocated to discontinued operations									300,000	1,200,000	300,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	400,000	4,800,000	0	300,000	6,400,000	-133,300,000	2,000,000	2,400,000	5,449,000	-122,540,000	-18,568,000
Net income (loss)	$14,600,000	$12,500,000	($2,300,000)	$19,000,000	$15,000,000	($180,400,000)	($5,100,000)	($85,400,000)	$43,780,000	($255,921,000)	($31,805,000)

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Workers’ compensation insurance reserve	$4.30	$4.30
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2.5	2.8
Legal and merger costs	2.3	4.8
Accruals, reserves and other	28.4	29.2
Less valuation allowance	-17.9	-22.5
Total deferred tax assets—current	19.6	18.6
Prepaid expenses	-7.8	-7
Accruals, reserves and other	-4.3	-3.9
Total deferred tax liabilities—current	-12.1	-10.9
Net current deferred tax asset	7.5	7.7
Federal tax credit carry-forwards	34.1	31.2
Federal net operating loss carry-forwards	214.5	188.1
State net operating loss carry-forwards	36.6	29.6
Capital loss carry-forwards	0	5.9
Deferred compensation	2.6	2.6
Pre-opening expenses capitalized for tax purposes	13.2	10.8
ACDL investment write-down	38.5	38.5
Share-based compensation expense—book cost	10	8.8
Bond payable	23.2	27.7
Accruals, reserves and other	43.7	42
Less valuation allowance	-227.8	-237.7
Total deferred tax assets—non-current	188.6	147.5
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net	-221.4	-187.2
Intangible assets	-144.9	-126.8
Total deferred tax liabilities—non-current	-366.3	-314
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	-177.7	-166.5
Total deferred tax assets	453.9	426.3
Less valuation allowances	-245.7	-260.2
Less total deferred tax liabilities	-378.4	-324.9
Net deferred tax liabilities	($170.20)	($158.80)

Income_Taxes_Uncertain_Tax_Pos

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance as of January 1	$35.70	$9.40
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods	1.4	0
Gross increases - tax positions in current period	0.6	3.5
Gross decreases - tax positions in current period	0	-0.9
Acquisition	0	23.8
Statute of limitation expirations	0	-0.1
Balance as of December 31	$37.70	$35.70

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Release of valuation allowance		$58.40
Alternative minimum tax	3.1
General business credit	20.6
Foreign tax credit	10.4
Excess tax benefits from stock options not yet recognized	17.8
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	14.2
Interest related to unrecognized tax benefits	0.3
Cumulative interest accrued	2.2
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	632.9
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$1,009

Lease_Obligations_Operating_Le

Lease Obligations - Operating Lease Minimum Payments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$12.50
2016	12.1
2017	10.8
2018	10.5
2019	10.1
Thereafter	558.2
Total minimum payments due	$614.20

Lease_Obligations_Additional_I

Lease Obligations - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets
Rent expense	$15,000,000	$13,100,000	$11,300,000
Slot and table game participation expenses	27,800,000	20,700,000	16,400,000
L Auberge du Lac [Member]
Operating Leased Assets
Rent expense	1,100,000
Area committed to lease	232
Number of renewal options	6
Term of lease agreement	10 years
Renewal period	10 years
River City Casino
Operating Leased Assets
Term of lease agreement	99 years
Future annual minimum rent amount	4,000,000
Future annual minimum rent, percentage of annual adjusted gross receipts	2.50%
Belterra Casino Resort
Operating Leased Assets
Number of renewal options	9
Term of lease agreement	50 years
Initial lease term	5 years
Renewal period	5 years
Remaining renewal periods	7
Minimum rental expense	1,400,000
Percentage of gross gaming wins in lease agreement	1.50%
Excess amount of minimum annual rental payments	100,000,000
Option to purchase property	30,000,000
Corporate Office Space
Operating Leased Assets
Term of lease agreement	10 years
River City Casino
Operating Leased Assets
Area committed to lease	56
Belterra Casino Resort
Operating Leased Assets
Area committed to lease	148
Total Area in Lease	315
Minimum | Corporate Office Space
Operating Leased Assets
Rent expense	1,500,000
Maximum | Corporate Office Space
Operating Leased Assets
Rent expense	$1,900,000
Corporate Office Space
Operating Leased Assets
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	10 years
L'Auberge Lake Charles [Member]
Operating Leased Assets
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract		10 years
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	10 years
River City [Member]
Operating Leased Assets
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	99 years
Belterra [Member]
Operating Leased Assets
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract		50 years
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Shareba

Employee Benefit Plans - Share-based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Effective weight against limit per grant	1.4
Percentage of Bonuses payable in Restricted Stocks	25.00%
Share-based awards issued	7,700,000
Share-based awards available for grant	600,000
Equity and Perfomance Incentive Plan 2005
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Maximum amount of issued shares	9,000,000
Individual Arrangements
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Common stock shares outstanding	850,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Stock_O

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Options (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Non-vested Stock
Options - Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Unamortized compensation costs	$18.70
Unamortized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition	2 years
Individual Arrangements
Options Outstanding (in shares):
Options granted, shares	850,000
Stock Options
Options Outstanding (in shares):
Options outstanding at January 1, 2014	5,509,246
Options granted, shares	939,780
Options exercised, shares	-480,495
Options canceled or forfeited, shares	-399,903
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014	5,568,628	5,509,246
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 9 months
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	41.7
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	$14.01
Options granted, weighted average exercise price	$23.45
Options exercised, weighted average exercise price	$13.57
Options canceled or forfeited, weighted average exercise price	$20.51
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$15.17	$14.01
Options Vested and Expected to Vest [Abstract]
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2014, shares	1,802,431
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2014, weighted average exercise price	$18.67
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2014, weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	5 years 7 months 17 days
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2014, aggregate intrinsic value	7.5
Options - Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014, shares	3,210,753
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014, weighted average exercise price	$12.81
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014, weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	4 years 1 month 13 days
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014, aggregate intrinsic value	31.3
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$9.04	$10.63	$5.06
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	5.4	9.2	0.5
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options	6.6	10.1	1.5
Unamortized compensation costs	$12.10
Unamortized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition	2 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Nonvest

Employee Benefit Plans - Non-vested Shares (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares at January 1, 2014	431,858
Nonvested shares granted (shares)	123,283
Nonvested shares cancelled (shares)	-34,819
Nonvested shares at December 31, 2014	520,322
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Nonvested shares at January 1, 2014 (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$22.79
Nonvested shares ganted (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$26.50
Nonvested shares cancelled (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$23.14
Nonvested shares at December 31, 2014 (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$23.64
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Unamortized compensation costs	$12.10
Unamortized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition	2 years
Non-vested Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Nonvested shares at January 1, 2014	629,518
Nonvested shares granted (shares)	1,003,918
Nonvested shares vested (shares)	-263,864
Nonvested shares cancelled (shares)	-156,639
Nonvested shares at December 31, 2014	1,212,933
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Nonvested shares at January 1, 2014 (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$20.11
Nonvested shares ganted (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$22.94
Nonvested shares granted (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$20.25
Nonvested shares cancelled (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$22.78
Nonvested shares at December 31, 2014 (Weighted-avereage grant date fair value)	$22.20
Unamortized compensation costs	$18.70
Unamortized compensation costs, weighted average period of recognition	2 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Fair_Va

Employee Benefit Plans - Fair Value Assumptions & Compensation Cost (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$13,900,000	$11,500,000	$8,500,000
Options Granted [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.50%	1.20%	0.80%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term, Simplified Method	P5Y2M1D	P5Y1M10D	P5Y3M
Expected volatility	41.20%	57.00%	58.00%
Expected dividends	$0	$0	$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_401k_Pl

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k) Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percent of maximum contribution of pretax income per employee	100.00%
Amount of maximum contribution per employee	$17,500
Defined contribution, threshold age	50 years
Amount of maximum catch-up contribution	5,500
Amount of matching contributions	$3,300,000	$2,400,000	$1,500,000
Minimum | Employee Plan 401K [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of discretionary match	50.00%
Maximum | Employee Plan 401K [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum percentage of eligible contribution	3.00%
Employee Plan 401K [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, 401(k) Vesting Period, Minimum	4 years
Defined Benefit Plan, 401(k) Vesting Period, Maximum	5 years

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Other_B

Employee Benefit Plans - Other Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Benefit Plans Table Text Block
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$12.80		$9		$9
Executive Plan
Benefit Plans Table Text Block
Total obligation	6.7	[1]	6.5	[1]
Cash surrender of insurance policies	2.9	[2]	2.8	[2]
Directors’ Medical Plan
Benefit Plans Table Text Block
Threshold age	70 years
Directors' Medical Plan, Plan Period	5 years
Total obligation	$0.30		$0.30
[1]	Recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]	Recorded in “Other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac2

Investments and Acquisition Activities - Allocation of the Purchase Price to the Tangible and Intangible Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 13, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	($165,000)	($92,181,000)	($30,780,000)
Current and other assets	279,115,000	602,178,000
Property and equipment	3,017,009,000	3,036,515,000
Goodwill	919,282,000	919,282,000
Intangible assets	529,269,000	500,084,000
Other non-current assets	81,505,000	87,800,000
Total assets	4,833,682,000	5,159,426,000
Current liabilities	350,902,000	372,406,000
Deferred tax liabilities	170,200,000	158,800,000
Other long-term liabilities	40,021,000	31,321,000
Debt	3,986,600,000	4,380,100,000
Total liabilities	4,544,300,000	4,934,256,000
Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current and other assets				152,165,000
Property and equipment				1,783,735,000
Goodwill	860,800,000			860,805,000
Intangible assets				524,200,000
Other non-current assets				39,496,000
Total assets				3,360,401,000
Current liabilities				179,493,000
Deferred tax liabilities				218,646,000
Other long-term liabilities				8,109,000
Debt				1,112,897,000
Total liabilities				1,519,145,000
Net assets acquired				$1,841,256,000

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac3

Investments and Acquisition Activities - Acquired Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Land and land improvements	$401,900	$391,700
Buildings, vessels and improvements	2,677,800	2,492,200
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	721,900	633,100
Construction in progress	75,600	175,600
Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Land and land improvements			162,770
Buildings, vessels and improvements			1,308,151
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			158,999
Construction in progress			153,815	[1]
Total property and equipment acquired			$1,783,735
[1]	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 8, “Discontinued Operations,” for further detail.

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac4

Investments and Acquisition Activities - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) (Ameristar Acquisition, USD $)	Aug. 13, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Trade names	$187,000
Gaming licenses	258,800
Player relationships	74,000
Favorable leasehold interests	4,400
Acquired definite-lived intangible assets	$524,200

Investments_and_Acquisition_Ac5

Investments and Acquisition Activities - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 13, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business acquisition, goodwill						$176,900,000
Goodwill	919,282,000				919,282,000
Goodwill acquired	864,100,000
Intangible assets	529,200,000
Promissory Notes	9,500,000				12,000,000
Corporate Bonds					11,400,000
ACDL
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impairments	94,000,000	25,000,000
Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Purchase price of Ameristar						1,800,000,000
Consideration for Ameristar equity						962,428,000
Repayment of Ameristar debt			878,828,000
Net assets acquired						1,841,256,000
Goodwill					860,800,000	860,805,000
Midwest | Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill						551,100,000
South Segment | Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill						231,500,000
West | Ameristar Acquisition
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill						78,200,000
Retama Partners
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired				75.50%
Goodwill acquired				3,300,000
Intangible assets				5,000,000
Farmworks
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Long-term purchase commitment, amount					$2,000,000

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Lumiere Place
Additional Disclosures
Impairment charge		$144.60
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses	250.3
Ameristar Lake Charles
Additional Disclosures
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses			209.8
Proceeds from divestiture of business deferred consideration			10
Adjustment to sale estimate due to recoveries gain recognized	2.3
Boomtown Reno
Additional Disclosures
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses					12.9
Potential proceeds from sale of additional interest					1.1
Number of acres sold from discontinued operations	27
Proceeds for sale of land discontinued operations				3.5
Gain from sale of land discontinued operations				2.4
Number of acres held from discontinued operation	783
Atlantic City
Additional Disclosures
Proceeds from sale of property held-for-sale						$29.50
Springfield, Massachusetts
Additional Disclosures
Number of acres held from discontinued operation	40

Discontinued_Operations_Summar

Discontinued Operations - Summary of Revenue, Expense and Net Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Revenues									$41,000,000	$181,300,000	$213,100,000
Operating income (loss)									4,700,000	-123,500,000	-19,000,000
Other non-operating income (loss), net									500,000	-300,000	100,000
Income (loss) before income taxes									5,200,000	-123,800,000	-18,900,000
Income tax benefit									-300,000	-1,200,000	-300,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$400,000	$4,800,000	$0	$300,000	$6,400,000	($133,300,000)	$2,000,000	$2,400,000	$5,449,000	($122,540,000)	($18,568,000)

Discontinued_Operations_Summar1

Discontinued Operations - Summary of Net Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Land, buildings, vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	$11,800,000	$275,300,000
Other assets, net	9,400,000	47,200,000
Total assets	21,260,000	322,548,000
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	413,000	26,103,000
Net assets	$20,800,000	$296,400,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 13, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Value	$919,300,000	$919,300,000
Goodwill, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net	919,282,000	919,282,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	510,800,000	460,800,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	-31,100,000	-31,100,000
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Gross Carrying Value	479,700,000	429,700,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	79,500,000	79,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Amortization	-29,900,000	-9,100,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	49,600,000	70,400,000
Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Gross	1,509,600,000	1,459,600,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	-31,100,000	-31,100,000
Total Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net	1,448,600,000	1,419,400,000
Ameristar Acquisition
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Value	860,800,000	860,800,000
Goodwill, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net		860,800,000
Belterra Park
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Value	35,800,000	35,800,000
Goodwill, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net	35,800,000	35,800,000
Boomtown New Orleans
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Value	16,800,000	16,800,000
Goodwill, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net	16,800,000	16,800,000
Other Business Entities
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross Carrying Value	5,900,000	5,900,000
Goodwill, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net	5,900,000	5,900,000
Gaming License
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	318,600,000	268,600,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	-31,100,000	-31,100,000
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Gross Carrying Value	287,500,000	237,500,000
Trade Name
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	187,200,000	187,200,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	0	0
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Gross Carrying Value	187,200,000	187,200,000
Racing license
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	0	0
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill), Gross Carrying Value	5,000,000	5,000,000
Player Relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization expense, useful life	5 years	6 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	75,100,000	75,100,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Amortization	-29,700,000	-9,000,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	45,400,000	66,100,000
Favorable Leasehold Interests
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization expense, useful life	31 years	32 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	4,400,000	4,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Amortization	-200,000	-100,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Cumulative Impairment Losses	0	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	4,200,000	4,300,000
Ameristar [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, Net	$860,800,000		$860,805,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization of Leasehold Interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	$919.30	919.3
2015	15.9
2016	12
2017	8.9
2018	6.6
2019	2.2
Thereafter	4
Total amortization expenses	49.6
Player Relationships
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense, useful life	5 years	6 years
2015	15.8
2016	11.9
2017	8.8
2018	6.5
2019	2.1
Thereafter	0.3
Total amortization expenses	45.4
Favorable Leasehold Interests
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense, useful life	31 years	32 years
2015	0.1
2016	0.1
2017	0.1
2018	0.1
2019	0.1
Thereafter	3.7
Total amortization expenses	$4.20

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure - Additional Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss	$0	$0	$0
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	31,100,000	31,100,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	510,800,000	460,800,000
Goodwill		864,100,000
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	25,000,000	0	1,057,000
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	25,000,000	0	0
Intangible assets		529,200,000
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	10,000,000	0
Amortization of Intangible Assets	20,800,000	9,000,000	100,000
Belterra Park
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets-gaming license	50,000,000
Ameristar Acquisition
Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets-gaming license		29,800,000
Belterra Park
Goodwill [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	25,000,000
Increase in accrued liabilities associated with recognized intangible asset	25,000,000
Boomtown Bossier City
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets		10,000,000		10,000,000
Favorable Leasehold Interests
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	31 years	32 years
Player Relationships
Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years	6 years
Gaming License
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	31,100,000	31,100,000
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	318,600,000	268,600,000
Trade Name
Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets (excluding goodwill), impaired, accumulated impairment	0	0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	$187,200,000	$187,200,000

Writedowns_reserves_and_recove2

Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries [Line Items]
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net	$3,514,000	$2,800,000	($1,157,000)
Lease abandonment	3,034,000	0	0
Reserve on loan receivable	0	100,000	1,700,000
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	2,900,000	300,000
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	10,000,000	0
Other	-100,000	1,500,000	0
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	6,387,000	17,265,000	829,000
Impairment of land	0	1,534,000	6,950,000
L'Auberge Lake Charles
Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries [Line Items]
Impairment of land		1,500,000
Boomtown Bossier City
Write-downs, Reserves and Recoveries [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets		$10,000,000		$10,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Purchase Commitment
Self insurance accruals	$24.40	$26.20
Belterra Park
Long-term Purchase Commitment
Total guaranteed maximum price				20.1
Amended guaranteed maximum price			$131

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Income Tax Examination (Details) (Indiana Income Tax, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2010
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income tax examination proposed adjustment excluding interest and penalties		$7.30
Minimum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Year under examination	2005
Maximum
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Year under examination	2007

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ2

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Cash and other assets	$61.40

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ3

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Gaming																	$1,974,410,000		$1,327,266,000		$892,284,000
Food and beverage																	118,397,000		78,857,000		53,474,000
Lodging																	50,553,000		31,297,000		21,937,000
Retail, entertainment and other																	67,183,000		50,416,000		35,141,000
Total revenues	554,300,000		568,300,000		555,200,000		532,800,000		535,000,000		418,900,000		267,300,000		266,600,000		2,210,543,000		1,487,836,000		1,002,836,000
Expenses:
Gaming																	1,056,878,000		733,459,000		501,354,000
Food and beverage																	110,349,000		69,756,000		47,110,000
Lodging																	24,002,000		14,820,000		11,624,000
Retail, entertainment and other																	27,031,000		23,303,000		19,852,000
General and administrative																	421,399,000		287,381,000		181,175,000
Pre-opening, development and other costs																	12,962,000		89,009,000		21,508,000
Depreciation and amortization																	241,062,000		148,456,000		82,689,000
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net																	6,387,000		17,265,000		829,000
Total expenses and other costs																	1,900,070,000		1,383,449,000		866,141,000
Operating income	78,700,000	[1]	77,200,000	[1]	66,800,000	[1]	87,700,000	[1]	69,800,000	[1]	-15,200,000	[1]	17,900,000	[1]	31,900,000	[1]	310,473,000		104,387,000		136,695,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	-8,234,000		-30,830,000		-20,718,000
Loss from equity method investments																	-165,000		-92,181,000		-30,780,000
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	-252,647,000		-169,812,000		-93,670,000
Income tax benefit (expense)																	-11,096,000		55,055,000		-4,764,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	14,200,000		7,700,000		-2,300,000		18,700,000		8,600,000		-47,100,000		-7,100,000		-87,800,000		38,331,000		-133,381,000		-13,237,000
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	400,000		4,800,000		0		300,000		6,400,000		-133,300,000		2,000,000		2,400,000		5,449,000		-122,540,000		-18,568,000
Net income (loss)	14,600,000		12,500,000		-2,300,000		19,000,000		15,000,000		-180,400,000		-5,100,000		-85,400,000		43,843,000		-255,870,000		-31,805,000
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Revenues:
Gaming																	0		0		0
Food and beverage																	0		0		0
Lodging																	0		0		0
Retail, entertainment and other																	100,000		100,000		100,000
Total revenues																	100,000		100,000		100,000
Expenses:
Gaming																	0		0		0
Food and beverage																	0		0		0
Lodging																	0		0		0
Retail, entertainment and other																	0		0		0
General and administrative																	96,200,000		63,100,000		26,700,000
Pre-opening, development and other costs																	4,300,000		86,200,000		3,200,000
Depreciation and amortization																	8,500,000		6,500,000		3,300,000
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net																	4,200,000		1,100,000		300,000
Total expenses and other costs																	113,200,000		156,900,000		33,500,000
Operating income																	-113,100,000		-156,800,000		-33,400,000
Equity earnings of subsidiaries																	292,500,000		-16,100,000		111,300,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	-8,200,000		-30,800,000		-20,700,000
Loss from equity method investments																	0		0		0
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	-255,400,000		-177,400,000		-114,400,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes																	-84,200,000		-381,100,000		-57,200,000
Management fee and inter-company interest																	149,800,000		70,100,000		30,100,000
Income tax benefit (expense)																	-21,800,000		55,100,000		-4,700,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations																	43,800,000		-255,900,000		-31,800,000
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	0		0		0
Net income (loss)																	43,800,000		-255,900,000		-31,800,000
100% Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Gaming																	1,974,400,000	[2]	1,327,300,000	[2]	892,300,000	[2]
Food and beverage																	118,400,000	[2]	78,900,000	[2]	53,500,000	[2]
Lodging																	50,600,000	[2]	31,300,000	[2]	21,900,000	[2]
Retail, entertainment and other																	67,000,000	[2]	50,200,000	[2]	34,500,000	[2]
Total revenues																	2,210,400,000	[2]	1,487,700,000	[2]	1,002,200,000	[2]
Expenses:
Gaming																	1,056,900,000	[2]	733,500,000	[2]	501,400,000	[2]
Food and beverage																	110,300,000	[2]	69,800,000	[2]	47,100,000	[2]
Lodging																	24,000,000	[2]	14,800,000	[2]	11,600,000	[2]
Retail, entertainment and other																	27,000,000	[2]	23,300,000	[2]	19,100,000	[2]
General and administrative																	324,900,000	[2]	223,800,000	[2]	153,900,000	[2]
Pre-opening, development and other costs																	8,300,000	[2]	2,100,000	[2]	16,700,000	[2]
Depreciation and amortization																	232,500,000	[2]	142,000,000	[2]	79,200,000	[2]
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net																	2,200,000	[2]	14,500,000	[2]	-1,200,000	[2]
Total expenses and other costs																	1,786,100,000	[2]	1,223,800,000	[2]	827,800,000	[2]
Operating income																	424,300,000	[2]	263,900,000	[2]	174,400,000	[2]
Equity earnings of subsidiaries																	0	[2]	0	[2]	-100,000	[2]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Loss from equity method investments																	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	2,700,000	[2]	7,700,000	[2]	12,000,000	[2]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes																	427,000,000	[2]	271,600,000	[2]	186,300,000	[2]
Management fee and inter-company interest																	-149,800,000	[2]	-70,100,000	[2]	-20,200,000	[2]
Income tax benefit (expense)																	10,700,000	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Income (loss) from continuing operations																	287,900,000	[2]	201,500,000	[2]	166,100,000	[2]
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	5,500,000	[2]	-122,500,000	[2]	-20,000,000	[2]
Net income (loss)																	293,400,000	[2]	79,000,000	[2]	146,100,000	[2]
100% Owned Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenues:
Gaming																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Food and beverage																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Lodging																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Retail, entertainment and other																	0	[3]	0	[3]	500,000	[3]
Total revenues																	0	[3]	0	[3]	500,000	[3]
Expenses:
Gaming																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Food and beverage																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Lodging																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Retail, entertainment and other																	0	[3]	0	[3]	700,000	[3]
General and administrative																	300,000	[3]	500,000	[3]	600,000	[3]
Pre-opening, development and other costs																	300,000	[3]	700,000	[3]	1,600,000	[3]
Depreciation and amortization																	0	[3]	0	[3]	200,000	[3]
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net																	0	[3]	1,600,000	[3]	1,700,000	[3]
Total expenses and other costs																	600,000	[3]	2,800,000	[3]	4,800,000	[3]
Operating income																	-600,000	[3]	-2,800,000	[3]	-4,300,000	[3]
Equity earnings of subsidiaries																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Loss from equity method investments																	-200,000	[3]	-92,200,000	[3]	-30,800,000	[3]
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	0	[3]	0	[3]	8,700,000	[3]
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes																	-800,000	[3]	-95,000,000	[3]	-26,400,000	[3]
Management fee and inter-company interest																	0	[3]	0	[3]	-8,400,000	[3]
Income tax benefit (expense)																	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Income (loss) from continuing operations																	-800,000	[3]	-95,000,000	[3]	-34,800,000	[3]
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	0	[3]	-100,000	[3]	-100,000	[3]
Net income (loss)																	-800,000	[3]	-95,100,000	[3]	-34,900,000	[3]
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
Total revenues																	0		0		0
Expenses:
Gaming																	0		0		0
Food and beverage																	0		0		0
Lodging																	0		0		0
Retail, entertainment and other																	0		0		0
General and administrative																	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																	-292,500,000		16,100,000		-111,200,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	0		0		0
Loss from equity method investments																	0		0		0
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	0		0		0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes																	-292,500,000		16,100,000		-111,200,000
Management fee and inter-company interest																	0		0		-1,500,000
Income tax benefit (expense)																	0		0		0
Income (loss) from continuing operations																	-292,500,000		16,100,000		-112,700,000
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	0		0		1,500,000
Net income (loss)																	-292,500,000		16,100,000		-111,200,000
Consolidated Entities
Revenues:
Gaming																	1,974,400,000		1,327,300,000		892,300,000
Food and beverage																	118,400,000		78,900,000		53,500,000
Lodging																	50,600,000		31,300,000		21,900,000
Retail, entertainment and other																	67,100,000		50,300,000		35,100,000
Total revenues																	2,210,500,000		1,487,800,000		1,002,800,000
Expenses:
Gaming																	1,056,900,000		733,500,000		501,400,000
Food and beverage																	110,300,000		69,800,000		47,100,000
Lodging																	24,000,000		14,800,000		11,600,000
Retail, entertainment and other																	27,000,000		23,300,000		19,800,000
General and administrative																	421,400,000		287,400,000		181,200,000
Pre-opening, development and other costs																	12,900,000		89,000,000		21,500,000
Depreciation and amortization																	241,000,000		148,500,000		82,700,000
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net																	6,400,000		17,200,000		800,000
Total expenses and other costs																	1,900,000,000		1,383,500,000		866,100,000
Operating income																	310,500,000		104,300,000		136,700,000
Equity earnings of subsidiaries																	0		0		0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt																	-8,200,000		-30,800,000		-20,700,000
Loss from equity method investments																	-200,000		-92,200,000		-30,800,000
Interest (expense) and non-operating income, net																	-252,700,000		-169,700,000		-93,700,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations before inter-company activity and income taxes																	49,400,000		-188,400,000		-8,500,000
Management fee and inter-company interest																	0		0		0
Income tax benefit (expense)																	-11,100,000		55,100,000		-4,700,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations																	38,300,000		-133,300,000		-13,200,000
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes																	5,500,000		-122,600,000		-18,600,000
Net income (loss)																	$43,800,000		($255,900,000)		($31,800,000)
[1]	Among other items, the estimates inherent in the accounting process can impact quarterly comparability.
[2]	As of December 31, 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.
[3]	Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 2014, that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ4

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information - Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Property and equipment	$3,017,009,000		$3,036,515,000
Goodwill	919,282,000		919,282,000
Intangible assets	529,269,000		500,084,000
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	21,260,000		322,548,000
Total assets	4,833,682,000		5,159,426,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,975,648,000		4,364,045,000
Total liabilities	413,000		26,103,000
Total liabilities	4,544,300,000		4,934,256,000
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	277,979,000		213,704,000
Non-controlling interest	11,403,000		11,466,000
Total stockholders' equity	289,382,000		225,170,000		447,117,000	519,392,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,833,682,000		5,159,426,000
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
ASSETS
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	73,400,000		66,800,000
Property and equipment	34,300,000		47,700,000
Goodwill	0		0
Intangible assets	0		0
Other non-current assets	60,000,000		72,600,000
Investment in subsidiaries	4,470,800,000		4,508,300,000
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	3,600,000		3,400,000
Inter-company	0		0
Total assets	4,642,100,000		4,698,800,000
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	100,800,000		114,800,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,975,500,000		4,363,900,000
Other non-current liabilities	-63,000,000		-48,100,000
Total liabilities	0		0
Inter-company	350,800,000		54,500,000
Total liabilities	4,364,100,000		4,485,100,000
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	278,000,000		213,700,000
Non-controlling interest	0		0
Total stockholders' equity	278,000,000		213,700,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,642,100,000		4,698,800,000
100% Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	184,500,000	[1]	185,100,000	[1]
Property and equipment	2,977,200,000	[1]	2,983,100,000	[1]
Goodwill	916,000,000	[1]	916,000,000	[1]
Intangible assets	524,300,000	[1]	495,100,000	[1]
Other non-current assets	4,600,000	[1]	6,600,000	[1]
Investment in subsidiaries	0	[1]	0	[1]
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	17,700,000	[1]	318,800,000	[1]
Inter-company	352,000,000	[1]	55,700,000	[1]
Total assets	4,976,300,000	[1]	4,960,400,000	[1]
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	273,100,000	[1]	231,400,000	[1]
Long-term debt less current portion	100,000	[1]	100,000	[1]
Other non-current liabilities	280,600,000	[1]	245,900,000	[1]
Total liabilities	400,000	[1]	26,100,000	[1]
Inter-company	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total liabilities	554,200,000	[1]	503,500,000	[1]
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	4,422,100,000	[1]	4,456,900,000	[1]
Non-controlling interest	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	4,422,100,000	[1]	4,456,900,000	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,976,300,000	[1]	4,960,400,000	[1]
100% Owned Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
ASSETS
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	23,300,000	[2]	27,700,000	[2]
Property and equipment	5,400,000	[2]	5,700,000	[2]
Goodwill	3,300,000	[2]	3,300,000	[2]
Intangible assets	5,000,000	[2]	5,000,000	[2]
Other non-current assets	24,400,000	[2]	22,100,000	[2]
Investment in subsidiaries	0	[2]	0	[2]
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	0	[2]	1,200,000	[2]
Inter-company	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total assets	61,400,000	[2]	65,000,000	[2]
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	0	[2]	100,000	[2]
Long-term debt less current portion	0	[2]	0	[2]
Other non-current liabilities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Total liabilities	0	[2]	0	[2]
Inter-company	1,200,000	[2]	1,200,000	[2]
Total liabilities	1,200,000	[2]	1,300,000	[2]
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	48,800,000	[2]	52,200,000	[2]
Non-controlling interest	11,400,000	[2]	11,500,000	[2]
Total stockholders' equity	60,200,000	[2]	63,700,000	[2]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	61,400,000	[2]	65,000,000	[2]
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries
ASSETS
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	-23,300,000		0
Property and equipment	0		0
Goodwill	0		0
Intangible assets	0		0
Other non-current assets	0		0
Investment in subsidiaries	-4,470,800,000		-4,508,300,000
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	0		-800,000
Inter-company	-352,000,000		-55,700,000
Total assets	-4,846,100,000		-4,564,800,000
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	-23,300,000		0
Long-term debt less current portion	0		0
Other non-current liabilities	0		0
Total liabilities	0		0
Inter-company	-352,000,000		-55,700,000
Total liabilities	-375,300,000		-55,700,000
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	-4,470,800,000		-4,509,100,000
Non-controlling interest	0		0
Total stockholders' equity	-4,470,800,000		-4,509,100,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	-4,846,100,000		-4,564,800,000
Consolidated Entities
ASSETS
Current assets, excluding discontinued operations	257,900,000		279,600,000
Property and equipment	3,016,900,000		3,036,500,000
Goodwill	919,300,000		919,300,000
Intangible assets	529,300,000		500,100,000
Other non-current assets	89,000,000		101,300,000
Investment in subsidiaries	0		0
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale	21,300,000		322,600,000
Inter-company	0		0
Total assets	4,833,700,000		5,159,400,000
Current liabilities, excluding discontinued operations	350,600,000		346,300,000
Long-term debt less current portion	3,975,600,000		4,364,000,000
Other non-current liabilities	217,600,000		197,800,000
Total liabilities	400,000		26,100,000
Inter-company	0		0
Total liabilities	4,544,200,000		4,934,200,000
Total Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. stockholders' equity	278,100,000		213,700,000
Non-controlling interest	11,400,000		11,500,000
Total stockholders' equity	289,500,000		225,200,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,833,700,000		$5,159,400,000
[1]	As of December 31, 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]	Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 2014, that include a subsidiary that owns a majority interest in the licensee of Retama Park Racetrack and certain other subsidiaries.

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ5

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$328,486,000		$161,067,000		$186,906,000
Capital expenditures and land additions	-230,815,000		-292,623,000		-299,464,000
Purchases of intangible assets	-25,000,000		0		-1,057,000
Escrow funds	25,000,000		3,151,000		25,000,000
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	258,507,000		205,703,000		10,784,000
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net	0		-5,853,000		-20,062,000
Payment for business combinations	0		-1,749,736,000		-4,300,000
Restricted cash	5,925,000		656,000		413,000
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest	-25,000		-2,732,000		-24,408,000
Loans receivable, net	-817,000		-6,884,000		-6,037,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	33,216,000		-1,842,742,000		-302,079,000
Proceeds from credit facility	291,700,000		2,168,835,000		47,500,000
Repayments under credit facility	-692,987,000		-15,122,000		-103,500,000
Repayment of long-term debt	0		-1,190,313,000		-391,500,000
Debt issuance and other financing costs	-980,000		-44,101,000		-12,408,000
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		-51,000,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-395,623,000		1,778,458,000		136,671,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-33,921,000		96,783,000		21,498,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	198,575,000		101,792,000		80,294,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	164,654,000		198,575,000		101,792,000
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	119,300,000		-1,754,500,000		-140,000,000
Capital expenditures and land additions	-12,000,000		-5,800,000		-4,100,000
Purchases of intangible assets	0
Escrow funds	0
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	0		0		0
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net			4,400,000		-4,500,000
Payment for business combinations			0
Proceeds from escrow deposit					0
Restricted cash	5,900,000
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest					0
Loans receivable, net			0		0
Other	260,200,000		500,000		100,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	254,100,000		-900,000		-8,500,000
Proceeds from credit facility	291,700,000		2,168,800,000		47,500,000
Repayments under credit facility	-693,000,000		-15,100,000		-103,500,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			850,000,000		646,800,000
Repayment of long-term debt			-1,190,300,000		-392,200,000
Debt issuance and other financing costs					-12,400,000
Purchase of treasury stock					-51,000,000
Other	5,700,000		-34,900,000		1,500,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-395,600,000		1,778,500,000		136,700,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-22,200,000		23,100,000		-11,800,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28,600,000		5,500,000		17,300,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	6,400,000		28,600,000		5,500,000
100% Owned Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	234,400,000	[1]	1,895,500,000	[1]	277,700,000	[1]
Capital expenditures and land additions	-218,800,000	[1]	-286,800,000	[1]	-294,800,000	[1]
Purchases of intangible assets	-25,000,000	[1]
Escrow funds	25,000,000	[1]
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	258,500,000	[1]	205,700,000	[1]	10,800,000	[1]
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net			0	[1]	0	[1]
Payment for business combinations			-1,749,700,000	[1]
Proceeds from escrow deposit					25,000,000	[1]
Restricted cash	0
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest					-300,000	[1]
Loans receivable, net			0	[1]	0	[1]
Other	-258,100,000	[1]	4,100,000	[1]	7,100,000	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-218,400,000	[1]	-1,826,700,000	[1]	-252,200,000	[1]
Proceeds from credit facility	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Repayments under credit facility	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	[1]	0	[1]
Repayment of long-term debt			0	[1]	0	[1]
Debt issuance and other financing costs					0	[1]
Purchase of treasury stock					0	[1]
Other	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,000,000	[1]	68,800,000	[1]	25,500,000	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	142,300,000	[1]	73,500,000	[1]	48,000,000	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	158,300,000	[1]	142,300,000	[1]	73,500,000	[1]
100% Owned Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-25,200,000	[2]	20,100,000	[2]	49,200,000	[2]
Capital expenditures and land additions	0	[2]	0	[2]	-500,000	[2]
Purchases of intangible assets	0
Escrow funds	0
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net			-5,900,000	[2]	-15,600,000	[2]
Payment for business combinations			0	[2]
Proceeds from escrow deposit					0	[2]
Restricted cash	0
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest					-24,100,000	[2]
Loans receivable, net			-6,900,000	[2]	-6,000,000	[2]
Other	-2,500,000	[2]	-2,400,000	[2]	4,800,000	[2]
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-2,500,000	[2]	-15,200,000	[2]	-41,400,000	[2]
Proceeds from credit facility	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Repayments under credit facility	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0	[2]	0	[2]
Repayment of long-term debt			0	[2]	0	[2]
Debt issuance and other financing costs					0	[2]
Purchase of treasury stock					0	[2]
Other	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-27,700,000	[2]	4,900,000	[2]	7,800,000	[2]
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	27,700,000	[2]	22,800,000	[2]	15,000,000	[2]
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0	[2]	27,700,000	[2]	22,800,000	[2]
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0		0		0
Capital expenditures and land additions	0		0		0
Purchases of intangible assets	0
Escrow funds	0
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	0		0		0
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net			0		0
Payment for business combinations			0
Proceeds from escrow deposit					0
Restricted cash	0
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest					0
Loans receivable, net			0		0
Other	0		0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0		0		0
Proceeds from credit facility	0		0		0
Repayments under credit facility	0		0		0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			0		0
Repayment of long-term debt			0		0
Debt issuance and other financing costs					0
Purchase of treasury stock					0
Other	0		0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0		0		0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0		0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0		0		0
Consolidated Entities
Condensed Financial Statements
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	328,500,000		161,100,000		186,900,000
Capital expenditures and land additions	-230,800,000		-292,600,000		-299,400,000
Purchases of intangible assets	-25,000,000
Escrow funds	25,000,000
Net proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	258,500,000		205,700,000		10,800,000
Purchases of held-to-maturity debt securities, net			-1,500,000		-20,100,000
Payment for business combinations			-1,749,700,000
Proceeds from escrow deposit					25,000,000
Restricted cash	5,900,000
Equity method investment, inclusive of capitalized interest					-24,400,000
Loans receivable, net			-6,900,000		-6,000,000
Other	-400,000		2,200,000		12,000,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	33,200,000		-1,842,800,000		-302,100,000
Proceeds from credit facility	291,700,000		2,168,800,000		47,500,000
Repayments under credit facility	-693,000,000		-15,100,000		-103,500,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			850,000,000		646,800,000
Repayment of long-term debt			-1,190,300,000		-392,200,000
Debt issuance and other financing costs					-12,400,000
Purchase of treasury stock					-51,000,000
Other	5,700,000		-34,900,000		1,500,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-395,600,000		1,778,500,000		136,700,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-33,900,000		96,800,000		21,500,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	198,600,000		101,800,000		80,300,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$164,700,000		$198,600,000		$101,800,000
[1]	As of December 31, 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]	Guarantor subsidiaries of our senior and senior subordinated notes exclude subsidiaries with approximately $61.4 million in cash and other assets as of December 31, 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										12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$554,300,000		$568,300,000	$555,200,000	$532,800,000	$535,000,000		$418,900,000	$267,300,000	$266,600,000	$2,210,543,000		$1,487,836,000		$1,002,836,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											584,800,000	[1]	370,600,000	[1]	250,300,000	[1]
Other benefits (costs):
Depreciation and amortization											-241,100,000		-148,500,000		-82,700,000
Pre-opening, development and other costs											-12,962,000		-89,009,000		-21,508,000
Non-cash share-based compensation											-13,900,000		-11,500,000		-8,500,000
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net											-6,387,000		-17,265,000		-829,000
Interest expense, net											-252,647,000		-169,812,000		-93,670,000
Loss from equity method investments											-165,000		-92,181,000		-30,780,000
Loss on early extinguishment of debt											-8,234,000		-30,830,000		-20,718,000
Income tax benefit (expense)											-11,096,000		55,055,000		-4,764,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	14,200,000		7,700,000	-2,300,000	18,700,000	8,600,000		-47,100,000	-7,100,000	-87,800,000	38,331,000		-133,381,000		-13,237,000
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures											230,815,000		292,623,000		299,464,000
Assets:
Assets	4,833,682,000					5,159,426,000					4,833,682,000		5,159,426,000
Midwest segment
Revenues:
Revenues											1,185,200,000	[2]	650,900,000	[2]	367,300,000	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											348,400,000	[1],[2]	183,700,000	[1],[2]	94,300,000	[1],[2]
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures											158,200,000	[2]	139,400,000	[2]	37,100,000	[2]
Assets:
Assets	2,758,100,000	[2]				2,669,100,000	[2]				2,758,100,000	[2]	2,669,100,000	[2]
South segment
Revenues:
Revenues											801,900,000	[2]	748,100,000	[2]	634,900,000	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											244,400,000	[1],[2]	213,500,000	[1],[2]	176,600,000	[1],[2]
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures											51,000,000	[2]	77,800,000	[2]	249,000,000	[2]
Assets:
Assets	1,294,800,000	[2]				1,322,800,000	[2]				1,294,800,000	[2]	1,322,800,000	[2]
West segment
Revenues:
Revenues											216,000,000	[2]	82,900,000	[2]	0	[2]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											78,200,000	[1],[2]	27,700,000	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures											7,700,000	[2]	1,700,000	[2]	0	[2]
Assets:
Assets	546,600,000	[2]				568,400,000	[2]				546,600,000	[2]	568,400,000	[2]
Operating segments
Revenues:
Revenues											2,203,100,000		1,481,900,000		1,002,200,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											671,000,000	[1]	424,900,000	[1]	270,900,000	[1]
Corporate and other
Revenues:
Revenues											7,400,000	[3]	6,000,000	[3]	600,000	[3]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA											-86,200,000	[1],[3]	-54,300,000	[1],[3]	-20,600,000	[1],[3]
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures											13,900,000		73,700,000		13,400,000
Assets:
Assets	1,008,200,000					1,627,000,000					1,008,200,000		1,627,000,000
Intersegment Eliminations
Assets:
Assets	($774,000,000)					($1,027,900,000)					($774,000,000)		($1,027,900,000)
[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 earlyextinguishment 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]	See Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," for a listing of properties included in each segment.
[3]	Corporate and other includes revenues from Retama Park Racetrack (which we manage) and the Heartland Poker Tour. 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. Other includes expenses relating to the management of Retama Park Racetrack and the operation of Heartland Poker Tour.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$554,300		$568,300		$555,200		$532,800		$535,000		$418,900		$267,300		$266,600		$2,210,543	$1,487,836	$1,002,836
Operating income (loss)	78,700	[1]	77,200	[1]	66,800	[1]	87,700	[1]	69,800	[1]	-15,200	[1]	17,900	[1]	31,900	[1]	310,473	104,387	136,695
Income (loss) from continuing operations	14,200		7,700		-2,300		18,700		8,600		-47,100		-7,100		-87,800		38,331	-133,381	-13,237
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	400		4,800		0		300		6,400		-133,300		2,000		2,400		5,449	-122,540	-18,568
Net income (loss)	14,600		12,500		-2,300		19,000		15,000		-180,400		-5,100		-85,400		43,780	-255,921	-31,805
Net income (loss) attributable to Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.	$14,600		$12,500		($2,300)		$19,000		$15,000		($180,400)		($5,100)		($85,400)		$43,843	($255,870)	($31,805)
Per Share Data - Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.24	[2]	$0.13	[2]	($0.04)	[2]	$0.32	[2]	$0.15	[2]	($0.80)	[2]	($0.12)	[2]	($1.50)	[2]	$0.64	($2.27)	($0.22)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (in dollars per share)	$0.01	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0	[2]	$0	[2]	$0.11	[2]	($2.27)	[2]	$0.03	[2]	$0.04	[2]	$0.09	($2.09)	($0.30)
Net income (loss)—basic (in dollars per share)	$0.25	[2]	$0.21	[2]	($0.04)	[2]	$0.32	[2]	$0.26	[2]	($3.07)	[2]	($0.09)	[2]	($1.46)	[2]	$0.73	($4.36)	($0.52)
Per Share Data - Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.23	[2]	$0.13	[2]	($0.04)	[2]	$0.31	[2]	$0.14	[2]	($0.80)	[2]	($0.12)	[2]	($1.50)	[2]	$0.62	($2.27)	($0.22)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (in dollars per share)	$0.01	[2]	$0.08	[2]	$0	[2]	$0	[2]	$0.11	[2]	($2.27)	[2]	$0.03	[2]	$0.04	[2]	$0.09	($2.09)	($0.30)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.24	[2]	$0.21	[2]	($0.04)	[2]	$0.31	[2]	$0.25	[2]	($3.07)	[2]	($0.09)	[2]	($1.46)	[2]	$0.71	($4.36)	($0.52)
[1]	Among other items, the estimates inherent in the accounting process can impact quarterly comparability.
[2]	Net income (loss) per share calculations for each quarter is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods; accordingly, the sum of the quarters may not equal the full-year income (loss) per share.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$5,178	$7,308	$4,610
Additions	2,363	2,190	3,766
Deductions	-2,578	-4,320	-1,068
Ending balance	$4,963	$5,178	$7,308