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):  January 23, 2001

                         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 January 23, 2001, 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 January 23, 2001.


                                   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:  January 24, 2001       By:  /s/ Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 -------------------------------
                                 Bruce C. Hinckley
                                 Chief Financial Officer


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

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

99.1     Press Release dated January 23, 2001.