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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;16, 2009</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333- </B><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 3pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation or organization</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>95-3667491<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</B></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>3800 Howard Hughes Parkway <BR>
Las Vegas, Nevada<BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br>
<B>89169<BR>
(Zip Code)</B></TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>2008 AMENDED AND RESTATED PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.<BR>
DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN<BR>
(Full title of the plan)</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Elliot D. Hoops, Esq.<BR>
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.<BR>
3800 Howard Hughes Parkway<BR>
Las Vegas, NV 89169<BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
(702)&nbsp;784-7777<BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><I>Copy to:</I></B><BR>
<B>Ashok W. Mukhey, Esq.<BR>
Irell &#038; Manella LLP<BR>
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite&nbsp;900<BR>
Los Angeles, CA 90067<BR>
(310)&nbsp;277-1010</B></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">
<TR>
<TD>Large accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></TD>
<TD align="center">Accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center"><br>Non-accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
<TD align="right">Smaller reporting company&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 0pt" >
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>securities to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registered (1) (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>per share(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee(3)</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, $.10 par value</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">50,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">6.58</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$329,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">18.36</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>This Registration Statement (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) registers
an additional 50,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share, of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) that may be
issued or subject to awards under the 2008 Amended and Restated
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the
&#147;Plan&#148;). Pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 (File No.
333-86223) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August
31, 1999, the Registrant (then named Hollywood Park Inc.) initially
registered 275,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share,
for issuance or subject to awards under the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;), this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate number of additional shares as may result from
anti-dilution adjustments under the Plan and which may hereinafter be
offered or issued pursuant to the Plan to prevent dilution resulting
from adjustments to the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Registrant, or if the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Registrant are converted into or exchanged for, other securities or
property, as a result of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock
splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, mergers, split-ups,
reorganizations, consolidations and other capital adjustments.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;under the Securities
Act, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Registrant&#146;s Common Stock on March&nbsp;12, 2009, as quoted on The New York
Stock Exchange.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">






<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
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	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#005">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#006"><U>EXHIBIT INDEX</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v51797exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="v51797exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On August&nbsp;31, 1999, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-86223) (the &#147;Prior
Registration Statement&#148;) registering 275,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, for
issuance or subject to awards under the Amended and Restated Hollywood Park, Inc. Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan. At the Annual Meeting of the Company&#146;s Stockholders held on May&nbsp;20,
2008, the stockholders approved an amendment to such plan to increase by 50,000 the maximum number
of shares of the Company&#146;s Common Stock that may be issued or subject to awards under such plan.
Such plan was later amended to comply with Section&nbsp;409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and related regulations and guidance and is now named the 2008 Amended and Restated
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted under General Instruction E to Form S-8, this Registration Statement on Form S-8
is being filed solely to register pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 50,000
additional shares of the Company&#146;s Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, for issuance or subject
to awards under to the Plan. The contents of the Prior Registration Statement are incorporated by
reference herein to the extent not modified or superseded hereby or by any subsequently filed
document that is incorporated by reference herein or therein.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference. " -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) by
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), Commission File No.&nbsp;001-13641, are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(a)&nbsp;The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2008
(including, without limitation, information specifically incorporated into the Company&#146;s Form
10-K from the Company&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before April&nbsp;30, 2009 and
Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 thereto regarding gaming regulations);
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(b)&nbsp;All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act since December&nbsp;31, 2008 (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under
applicable SEC rules rather than filed); and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(c)&nbsp;The description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in its registration statement on
Form 8-A/A filed on August&nbsp;10, 2001, as amended by our current reports on Form 8-K filed on
January&nbsp;26, 2004 and May&nbsp;9, 2005 and including any other amendments or reports filed for the
purpose of updating such description (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished
under applicable SEC rules rather than filed).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company (other than any portion of such filings that
are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates
that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document
which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes
such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (&#147;DGCL&#148;) provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at its request in such capacity in another corporation, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 further authorizes a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person serving in such
capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to
the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. To the extent that
a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys&#146;
fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to include in its certificate of
incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i)&nbsp;for any
breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;174 of the DGCL, or (iv)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted by Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Article&nbsp;XII of the Company&#146;s Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that no director of the Company shall be
personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty by such director for corporate actions as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the
DGCL.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As permitted by Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL, the Company&#146;s Restated Bylaws provide that directors
and elected officers who are made, or are threatened to be made, parties to, or are involved in any
action, suit or proceeding will be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by
the DGCL against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. The Restated Bylaws of
the Company require it to advance expenses to its directors and elected officers, provided that, if
the DGCL so requires, they undertake to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined by
a court that they are not entitled to indemnification.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain of its officers that require
the Company to provide insurance on behalf of such officers. The Company maintains insurance
policies under which its directors and officers and the directors and officers of its subsidiaries
are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against expenses in
connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be
imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of
being or having been directors or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, as applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company entered into an Indemnification Trust Agreement (the &#147;Indemnification Trust
Agreement&#148;) on August&nbsp;16, 2005, to create an indemnification trust to provide a source for (i)
indemnification of and advancement of expenses to the Company&#146;s present and future directors and
certain executive officers arising from their activities as such and (ii)&nbsp;payments for the premiums
for directors and officers insurance purchased by the Company from time to time, in the event that
the Company does not or is not financially able to fulfill such obligations or make such payments.
At the time of creation, the Company irrevocably deposited $5.0&nbsp;million in the trust and pursuant
to its terms would be obligated in certain circumstances to contribute up to an additional $5.0
million. The beneficiaries&#146; representative will have the exclusive right to convey payment demands
from time to time on the trustee to direct payment to one or more of the beneficiaries. The term of
the trust expires on August&nbsp;16, 2015, at which time any remaining trust funds will be distributed
to the Company, except to the extent necessary to make full and adequate provision for claims made
prior to such expiration date or any threatened or anticipated claims.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as
amended, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.3 to the Company&#146;s
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on May&nbsp;9, 2005. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended, are hereby
incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on
Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;15, 2008. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">2008 Amended and Restated Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.48 to the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ending December&nbsp;31,
2008. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on January&nbsp;30, 2004.
(SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Legal Opinion of Irell &#038; Manella LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Irell &#038; Manella LLP (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature pages filed herewith)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in </TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the information set
forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148;
table in the effective registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration
Statement;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD><I>provided</I>, <I>however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="6%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">



</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada,
on this 16<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day
of March, 2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.<BR>
(Registrant)<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Stephen H. Capp
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Stephen H. Capp, Executive Vice President and</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">
Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Daniel R. Lee, Stephen H. Capp, and John A. Godfrey, and each of them, his
attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration Statement,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Daniel R. Lee
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Daniel R. Lee
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and<br>&nbsp;Chief
Executive Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen H. Capp
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen H. Capp
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Vice President and<br>&nbsp;Chief
Financial Officer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen C. Comer
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen C. Comer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John V. Giovenco
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John V. Giovenco
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard J. Goeglein
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Richard J. Goeglein
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Ellis Landau
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ellis Landau
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Bruce A. Leslie
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Bruce A. Leslie
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James L. Martineau
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James L. Martineau
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael Ornest
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael Ornest
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Lynn P. Reitnouer
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lynn P. Reitnouer
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">March&nbsp;16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "<U>EXHIBIT INDEX</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as
amended, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.3 to the Company&#146;s
Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on May&nbsp;9, 2005. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended, are hereby
incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on
Form&nbsp;8-K filed on December&nbsp;15, 2008. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">2008 Amended and Restated Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.48 to the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ending December&nbsp;31,
2008. (SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed on January&nbsp;30, 2004.
(SEC File No.&nbsp;001-13641)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-0px">5.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Legal Opinion of Irell &#038; Manella LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Irell &#038; Manella LLP (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on signature pages filed herewith)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

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<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
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<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization
95-3667491
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
Las Vegas, Nevada
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
89169
(Zip Code)
2008 AMENDED AND RESTATED PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
DIRECTORS DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Elliot D. Hoops, Esq.
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(Name and address of agent for service)
(702) 784-7777
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Ashok W. Mukhey, Esq.
Irell & Manella LLP
1800 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 277-1010
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
maximum
maximum
Title of
Amount to be
offering price
aggregate
Amount of
securities to be registered
registered (1) (2)
per share(3)
offering price(3)
registration fee(3)
Common Stock, $.10 par value
50,000
$
6.58
$329,000
$
18.36
(1)
This Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") registers
an additional 50,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share, of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the "Registrant") that may be
issued or subject to awards under the 2008 Amended and Restated
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the
"Plan"). Pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 (File No.
333-86223) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August
31, 1999, the Registrant (then named Hollywood Park Inc.) initially
registered 275,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share,
for issuance or subject to awards under the Plan.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers an
indeterminate number of additional shares as may result from
anti-dilution adjustments under the Plan and which may hereinafter be
offered or issued pursuant to the Plan to prevent dilution resulting
from adjustments to the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Registrant, or if the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the
Registrant are converted into or exchanged for, other securities or
property, as a result of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock
splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, mergers, split-ups,
reorganizations, consolidations and other capital adjustments.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities
Act, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Registrant's Common Stock on March 12, 2009, as quoted on The New York
Stock Exchange.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1
EX-23.2
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On August 31, 1999, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company") filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-86223) (the "Prior
Registration Statement") registering 275,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, for
issuance or subject to awards under the Amended and Restated Hollywood Park, Inc. Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan. At the Annual Meeting of the Company's Stockholders held on May 20,
2008, the stockholders approved an amendment to such plan to increase by 50,000 the maximum number
of shares of the Company's Common Stock that may be issued or subject to awards under such plan.
Such plan was later amended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and related regulations and guidance and is now named the 2008 Amended and Restated
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan").
As permitted under General Instruction E to Form S-8, this Registration Statement on Form S-8
is being filed solely to register pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 50,000
additional shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, for issuance or subject
to awards under to the Plan. The contents of the Prior Registration Statement are incorporated by
reference herein to the extent not modified or superseded hereby or by any subsequently filed
document that is incorporated by reference herein or therein.
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company"), pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), Commission File No. 001-13641, are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement:
(a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
(including, without limitation, information specifically incorporated into the Company's Form
10-K from the Company's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed on or before April 30, 2009 and
Exhibit 99.1 thereto regarding gaming regulations);
(b) All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act since December 31, 2008 (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished under
applicable SEC rules rather than filed); and
(c) The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in its registration statement on
Form 8-A/A filed on August 10, 2001, as amended by our current reports on Form 8-K filed on
January 26, 2004 and May 9, 2005 and including any other amendments or reports filed for the
purpose of updating such description (other than any portion of such filings that are furnished
under applicable SEC rules rather than filed).
All documents subsequently filed by the Company (other than any portion of such filings that
are furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates
that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document
which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes
such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was
serving at its request in such capacity in another corporation, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 145 further authorizes a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person serving in such
capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to
the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. To the extent that
a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys'
fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to include in its certificate of
incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
Table of Contents
As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Article XII of the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that no director of the Company shall be
personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty by such director for corporate actions as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the
DGCL.
As permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, the Company's Restated Bylaws provide that directors
and elected officers who are made, or are threatened to be made, parties to, or are involved in any
action, suit or proceeding will be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by
the DGCL against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith. The Restated Bylaws of
the Company require it to advance expenses to its directors and elected officers, provided that, if
the DGCL so requires, they undertake to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined by
a court that they are not entitled to indemnification.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain of its officers that require
the Company to provide insurance on behalf of such officers. The Company maintains insurance
policies under which its directors and officers and the directors and officers of its subsidiaries
are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against expenses in
connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be
imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of
being or having been directors or officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, as applicable.
The Company entered into an Indemnification Trust Agreement (the "Indemnification Trust
Agreement") on August 16, 2005, to create an indemnification trust to provide a source for (i)
indemnification of and advancement of expenses to the Company's present and future directors and
certain executive officers arising from their activities as such and (ii) payments for the premiums
for directors and officers insurance purchased by the Company from time to time, in the event that
the Company does not or is not financially able to fulfill such obligations or make such payments.
At the time of creation, the Company irrevocably deposited $5.0 million in the trust and pursuant
to its terms would be obligated in certain circumstances to contribute up to an additional $5.0
million. The beneficiaries' representative will have the exclusive right to convey payment demands
from time to time on the trustee to direct payment to one or more of the beneficiaries. The term of
the trust expires on August 16, 2015, at which time any remaining trust funds will be distributed
to the Company, except to the extent necessary to make full and adequate provision for claims made
prior to such expiration date or any threatened or anticipated claims.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as
amended, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-13641)
4.2
Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended, are hereby
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2008. (SEC File No. 001-13641).
4.3
2008 Amended and Restated Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2008. (SEC File No. 001-13641)
4.4
Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2004.
(SEC File No. 001-13641)
5.1*
Legal Opinion of Irell & Manella LLP
23.1
Consent of Irell & Manella LLP (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages filed herewith)
*
Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
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the information set
forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee"
table in the effective registration statement;
(iii)
to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement
or any material change to such information in the Registration
Statement;
provided
,
however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada,
on this 16
th
day
of March, 2009.
PINNACLE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Stephen H. Capp
Stephen H. Capp, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Daniel R. Lee, Stephen H. Capp, and John A. Godfrey, and each of them, his
attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this Registration Statement,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of
them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Daniel R. Lee
Daniel R. Lee
Chairman of the Board and
Chief
Executive Officer
March 16, 2009
/s/ Stephen H. Capp
Stephen H. Capp
Executive Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
March 16, 2009
/s/ Stephen C. Comer
Stephen C. Comer
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ John V. Giovenco
John V. Giovenco
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ Richard J. Goeglein
Richard J. Goeglein
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ Ellis Landau
Ellis Landau
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ Bruce A. Leslie
Bruce A. Leslie
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ James L. Martineau
James L. Martineau
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ Michael Ornest
Michael Ornest
Director
March 16, 2009
/s/ Lynn P. Reitnouer
Lynn P. Reitnouer
Director
March 16, 2009
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as
amended, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2005. (SEC File No. 001-13641)
4.2
Restated Bylaws of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., as amended, are hereby
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2008. (SEC File No. 001-13641).
4.3
2008 Amended and Restated Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2008. (SEC File No. 001-13641)
4.4
Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2004.
(SEC File No. 001-13641)
5.1*
Legal Opinion of Irell & Manella LLP
23.1
Consent of Irell & Manella LLP (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
23.2*
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
24
Power of Attorney (included on signature pages filed herewith)
*
Filed herewith.