Stock-Based Employee Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stock-Based Employee Compensation [Abstract]

Black-Scholes option-pricing model, weighted average assumptions

	2011			2010			2009
LVSC 2004 Plan:
Weighted average volatility		94.4	%		89.2	%		75.8	%
Expected term (in years)		6.3			5.4			5.2
Risk-free rate		2.7	%		2.9	%		2.8	%
Expected dividends		—			—			—
SCL Equity Plan:
Weighted average volatility		69.2	%		73.5	%		—	%
Expected term (in years)		6.3			6.2			—
Risk-free rate		1.3	%		1.9	%		—	%
Expected dividends		—			—			—

Summary of the stock option activity for the Company's equity award plans

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
				Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
	Shares			Price		Life (Years)		Value
LVSC 2004 Plan:
Outstanding as of January 1, 2011		15,623,628		$	33.67
Granted		263,395			46.43
Exercised		(2,549,131	)		9.12
Forfeited		(1,291,150	)		50.07
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011		12,046,742		$	37.38		6.08	$	206,642,169
Exercisable as of December 31, 2011		7,548,443		$	41.76		5.22	$	118,825,628
SCL Equity Plan:
Outstanding as of January 1, 2011		18,939,500		$	1.65
Granted		9,987,291			2.75
Exercised		(1,418,200	)		1.60
Forfeited		(3,691,925	)		1.91
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011		23,816,666		$	2.07		8.81	$	18,198,983
Exercisable as of December 31, 2011		2,901,050		$	1.66		8.40	$	3,338,909

Summary of the status of unvested restricted shares

				Weighted Average
				Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Unvested as of January 1, 2011		22,939		$	23.70
Granted		1,250,381			45.42
Vested		(19,615	)		27.01
Forfeited		(11,500	)		46.04
Unvested as of December 31, 2011		1,242,205		$	45.30

Summary of the unvested restricted stock units

			Weighted Average
			Grant Date
	Shares		Fair Value
Unvested as of January 1, 2011		—	$	—
Granted		42,000		47.15
Vested		—		—
Forfeited		—		—
Unvested as of December 31, 2011		42,000	$	47.15

Stock-based compensation activity

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Compensation expense:
Stock options	$	44,691	$	56,462	$	44,544
Restricted stock and stock units		18,023		1,559		1,001
	$	62,714	$	58,021	$	45,545
Income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of operations	$	—	$	—	$	—
Compensation cost capitalized as part of property and equipment	$	576	$	2,797	$	3,509
LVSC 2004 Plan:
Stock options granted		263		4,497		8,822
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	36.31	$	15.95	$	3.52
Restricted shares granted		1,250		16		—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	45.42	$	25.37	$	—
Restricted stock units granted		42		—		—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	47.15	$	—	$	—
Stock options exercised:
Intrinsic value	$	89,814	$	47,529	$	139
Cash received	$	23,238	$	16,455	$	64
Tax benefit realized for tax deductions from stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	—
SCL Equity Plan:
Stock options granted		9,987		26,189		—
Weighted average grant date fair value	$	1.71	$	1.06	$	—
Stock options exercised:
Intrinsic value	$	1,699	$	—	$	—
Cash received	$	2,267	$	—	$	—
Tax benefit realized for tax deductions from stock-based compensation	$	—	$	—	$	—