8-K

UNITED STATES
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): August 26, 2009

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-13641	95-3667491
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada	89169
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 784-7777

N/A

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On August 26, 2009, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. issued a press release regarding a ruling by the Missouri Gaming Commission. A copy of this press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, that is being furnished under this Item 7.01 shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.
 

Exhibit No.	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press release dated August 26, 2009, issued by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

SIGNATURE

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.
	(Registrant)
Date: August 26, 2009	By:	/s/ Christopher K. Plant
		Christopher K. Plant
		Vice President-Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press release dated August 26, 2009, issued by Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

 

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
NYSE: PNK

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
At the Company — (702) 784-7777:
Chris Plant or Lewis Fanger — Investor Relations
Pauline Yoshihashi — Media

PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT RESPONDS TO REGULATORS’ RULING
ON ADMIRAL RIVERBOAT IN ST. LOUIS

LAS VEGAS, August 26, 2009 — Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: PNK) announced today that the Missouri Gaming Commission did not approve Pinnacle’s plans to replace the Admiral riverboat at its current location on Laclede’s Landing in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and ruled that the repair, replacement or relocation of the existing vessel would require a new gaming license.

“We are obviously disappointed with the Commission’s decision today that they will not permit us to replace the Admiral in order to solve the July 2010 certification issue,” said Jack Godfrey, Pinnacle’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “We do not believe this decision is supported by law and we are studying our legal remedies.”

About Pinnacle Entertainment

Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates casinos in Nevada, Louisiana, Indiana, Missouri and Argentina. The Company has a second casino development project under construction in the St. Louis area, to be called River City, the opening of which is dependent upon final approval by the Missouri Gaming Commission. Pinnacle is also developing a second casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to be called Sugarcane Bay, and a casino resort in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Additionally, Pinnacle owns a casino site at the heart of the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

All statements included in this press release, other than historical information or statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could significantly affect future results. Accordingly, Pinnacle Entertainment cautions that the forward-looking statements contained herein are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to:(a) the risk that the Company may not be able to retain the gaming license for the President Casino in Missouri; and (b) other risks, including those as may be detailed from time to time in Pinnacle Entertainment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For more information on the potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results and business, review the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K.