The number of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	penn_CollectiveBargainingAgreementNumberOfEmployeesCovered
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of collective bargaining agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_CollectiveBargainingAgreementTerm
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of the daily mutual handle.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerContributionAsPercentageOfDailyMutualHandle
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of net video lottery revenue up to a base.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerContributionAsPercentageOfNetVideoLotteryRevenueUpToBase
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of poker revenue after the base is met.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerContributionAsPercentageOfPokerRevenueAfterBaseIsMet
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the matching contribution for eligible employees as a percentage of table revenue after the base is met.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerContributionAsPercentageOfTableRevenueAfterBaseIsMet
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of plans for which matching contribution is made.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_DefinedContributionPlanNumberOfPlans
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_LaborAgreementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the term of Lease Term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_LeaseTerm
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the employer's matching contributions for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_NonqualifiedDeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_NonqualifiedDeferredCompensationPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of existing collective bargaining agreements in place.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_NumberOfCollectiveBargainingAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_ProfitSharingPlanAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the threshold number of employees for separate disclosure of the unions representing employees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	penn_ThresholdNumberOfEmployeesUnderAgreementForSeparateDisclosureOfUnions
Namespace Prefix:	penn_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of payment into the fund established for purposes of making future disbursements to the individual in accordance with the terms and understanding of the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum period the individual is required to perform services to be fully vested under the deferred compensation arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 710
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409961&loc=d3e20487-108367

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRequisiteServicePeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable within one year (or the operating cycle, if longer). Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 710
-SubTopic 10
-Section 30
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20028-108363

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 710
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409733&loc=d3e19512-108361

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationLiabilityCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 70
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170846&loc=d3e28014-114942

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage employer matches of the employee's percentage contribution matched.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfMatch
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollectiveBargainingArrangementAxis=penn_InternationalChapterOfHorseshoersAndAlliedEquineTradesLocal947Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollectiveBargainingArrangementAxis=penn_SeatuMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollectiveBargainingArrangementAxis=penn_HotelEmployeesAndRestaurantEmployeesUnionLocal1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CollectiveBargainingArrangementAxis=penn_UnitedAutoWorkersAndUnitedSteelWorkersCouncilMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=penn_MahoningValleyRaceCourseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=penn_OhioHorsemansBenevolentAndProtectiveAssociationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=penn_HollywoodGamingAtDaytonRacewayMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=penn_OhioHarnessHorsemensAssociationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=penn_TropicanaLasVegasHotelAndCasinoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis=us-gaap_NumberOfEmployeesTotalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnionizedEmployeesConcentrationRiskMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Commitments and Contingencies - Employee Benefit Plans and Labor Agreements (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 25, 2015 contract	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) plan employee	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Profit sharing plan under the provisions of Section 401(k)
Employer's discretionary match contribution up to a maximum of 6% of eligible employee compensation (as a percent)		50.00%
Maximum percentage of eligible employee compensation eligible for discretionary employer match contribution		6.00%
Matching contributions for the profit-sharing plan \| $		$ 5.3	$ 5.0	$ 4.7
Defined contribution plan, the Charles Town Races Future Service Retirement Plan
Matching contribution as a percentage of the daily mutual handle		0.25%
Matching contribution as a percentage of net video lottery revenue up to a base		1.00%
Matching contribution as a percentage of table revenue after the base is met		0.50%
Matching contribution as a percentage of poker revenue after the base is met		0.84%
Number of plans for which matching contribution is made \| plan		2
Contributions for the two plans at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races \| $		$ 2.8	2.9	3.0
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan
Vesting period for matching contribution by employer under the plan (in years)		5 years
Employer's matching contributions for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan \| $		$ 2.2	2.0	$ 1.9
Deferred compensation liability, which was included in other current liabilities \| $		$ 59.4	$ 52.7
International Chapter of Horseshoers and Allied Equine Trades Local 947
Labor Agreements
Term of collective bargaining agreements		3 years
SEATU
Labor Agreements
Number of employees covered under collective bargaining agreement \| employee		1,711
Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 1
Labor Agreements
Number of employees covered under collective bargaining agreement \| employee		176
United Auto Workers And United Steel Workers Council
Labor Agreements
Number of employees covered under collective bargaining agreement \| employee		1,361
Mahoning Valley Race Course \| Ohio Horsemans Benevolent And Protective Association
Labor Agreements
Agreement term		10 years
Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway \| Ohio Harness Horsemens Association
Labor Agreements
Agreement term		10 years
Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel And Casino
Labor Agreements
Number of existing collective bargaining agreements \| contract	7
Total Number of Employees \| Unionized Employees
Labor Agreements
Threshold number of employees under agreement for separate disclosure of unions \| employee		79