SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  ____________

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  April 17, 2000

                          PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                                                                 
        Delaware                           0-10619                        95-3667491
(State or Other Jurisdiction             (Commission                      (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)                        File Number)                  Identification No.)

330 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 1100, Glendale, California                     91203
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (818) 662-5900


Item 5.     Other Events.

     On April 17, 2000, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. issued a press release, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by
reference.

Item 7.     Exhibits.

     99.1  Press Release dated April 17, 2000.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                              PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Date:  April 17, 2000         By:  /s/ Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 -----------------------
                                 Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 Chief Financial Officer

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                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------

Exhibit  Description
- -------  -----------

99.1     Press Release dated April 17, 2000.



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