Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2011
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	PENN NATIONAL GAMING INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000921738
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,924,555
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Subsection 1

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