-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000907242-04-000024.txt : 20041217
<SEC-HEADER>0000907242-04-000024.hdr.sgml : 20041217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041217190733
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000907242-04-000024
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041021
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000907242
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MISCELLANEOUS AMUSEMENT & RECREATION [7990]
		IRS NUMBER:				880300760
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1175 W MOANA LANE
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89509
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7758253355

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1175 W MOANA LANE
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89509

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARAHI JOHN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000937318

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22088
		FILM NUMBER:		041212576

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC
		STREET 2:		1175 MOANO LANE SUITE 200
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89509
		BUSINESS PHONE:		702-825-7705

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		MONARCH CASINO & RESORT INC
		STREET 2:		1175 MOANA LANE SUITE 200
		CITY:			RENO
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89509
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000907242</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MONARCH CASINO &amp; RESORT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>mcri</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000937318</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FARAHI JOHN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MONARCH CASINO &amp; RESORT INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1175 MOANA LANE SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RENO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89509</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1436300</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option / Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>23.37</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On October 21, 2004, Mr. Farahi was granted an option pursuant to the company's 1993 Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, to purchase 100,000 shares of the company's common stock at $23.37 per share.  The option will vest as follows: 33,333 shares on October 21, 2005; 33,333 shares on October 21, 2006; 33,334 shares on October 21, 2007.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John Farahi</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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