<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-15-015183.txt : 20151119
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-15-015183.hdr.sgml : 20151119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20151119184054
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-15-015183
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20151119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20151119
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20151119

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PENN NATIONAL GAMING INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000921738
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				232234473
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		825 BERKSHIRE BLVD STE 200
		STREET 2:		WYOMISSING PROFESSIONAL CENTER
		CITY:			WYOMISSING
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19610
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6103732400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		825 BERKSHIRE BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			WYOMISSING
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19610

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Snowden Jay A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001532579

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24206
		FILM NUMBER:		151244657

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		825 BERKSHIRE BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			WYOMISSING
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19610
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000921738</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PENN NATIONAL GAMING INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PENN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001532579</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Snowden Jay A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>825 BERKSHIRE BLVD, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WYOMISSING</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19610</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP-Chief Operating Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7650</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.83</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27949</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were purchased in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $15.80 to $15.86. The reporting person undertakes to provide to Penn National Gaming, Inc., any security holder of Penn National Gaming, Inc., or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each separate price within the ranges set forth in the footnote to this Form 4.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Christopher Rogers as attorney-in-fact for Jay A. Snowden</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-11-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
