The high end of the range of percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

Name:	penn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateHighEndOfRange
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The low end of the range of percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateLowEndOfRange
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureByProjectLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

The acreage of a racetrack which is a joint venture of the entity.

+ Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureInterestByAcerage
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The acreage of a planned development of a racetrack in which the entity has an option to purchase related to a joint venture.

+ Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureInterestOptionToPurchaseByAcerage
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the entity's ownership interest in a joint venture.

+ Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureOwnershipInterestPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the size of the dog racing and simulcasting facility of a joint venture, in terms of square feet.

+ Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureSquareFootage
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the entity's ownership interest in a joint venture that is under an agreement of sale.

+ Details

Name:	penn_JointVentureUnderAgreementOfSaleOwnershipInterestPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The payment to the joint venture towards capital expenditure and other operating expenses.

+ Details

Name:	penn_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOtherOperatingExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The proportionate share of interest in a joint venture.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	penn
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Increase for additional borrowings on the debt instrument during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph f

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the amount of gain (loss) arising from the disposal of an equity method investment.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Investment In and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified						3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Apr. 08, 2011 Sam Houston Race Park in Houston	Apr. 08, 2011 Valley Race Park in Harlingen	Apr. 08, 2011 Planned racetrack in Laredo	Jun. 30, 2011 Freehold Raceway	Apr. 08, 2011 Texas Racing Commission	Jun. 30, 2011 Kansas Entertainment	Jun. 30, 2011 Kansas Entertainment	Sep. 30, 2011 Maryland RE & R LLC	Jun. 30, 2011 Maryland RE & R LLC	Jun. 16, 2011 Maryland RE & R LLC	Jun. 30, 2011 Maxxam	Jun. 30, 2011 Maxxam Senior financing	Jun. 30, 2011 Maxxam Subordinated financing
Business ventures
Ownership interest in joint venture (as a percent)				50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%		49.00%		50.00%
Size of race park (in acres)	323	80
Size of property for a planned development of racetrack (in acres)			135
Size of dog racing and simulcasting facility (in square feet)		91,000
Loan provided to joint venture to cover development costs											$ 375.0
Basis points added to reference rate, low end of range (as a percent)												8.00%	5.00%
Basis points added to reference rate, high end of range (as a percent)												9.00%	6.00%
Variable rate basis												LIBOR	LIBOR
Proportionate share in joint venture							155.0
Funding for capital expenditure and other operating expenses						11.2	21.4
Ownership interest in joint venture under agreement of sale (as a percent)										49.00%
Gain on sale of joint venture interest								$ 20