The accumulated depreciation assets held for sale of property and plant equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	rily_AccumulatedDepreciationAssetsHeldForSalePpropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This represents the assets which are held for sale as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rily_AssetsHeldForSaleMarketAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This represents the recognized amount of assets held for sale after market adjustment during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rily_AssetsHeldForSaleMarketAdjustmentAmountRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Custom Element.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rily_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCapitalLeasedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Custom Element.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rily_EstimatedFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Custom Element.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rily_LeasedEquipmentWithCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	rily_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 13

-Section A

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

+ Details

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

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount classified as other assets attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of, expected to be disposed of after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount classified as property, plant and equipment attributable to disposal group held for sale or disposed of.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1107-107759

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1436-107760

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the portions of long-term notes payable due within one year or the operating cycle if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

+ Details

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

- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period related to oil and gas business activities.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 23

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=d3e62136-109447

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 932

-SubTopic 235

-Section 50

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8451039&loc=d3e62246-109447

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OilAndGasRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=rily_AirCraftPartsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=rily_MachineryEquipmentAndComputerSoftwareMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=rily_OilRigsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

GOODS HELD FOR SALE OR AUCTION (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 15, 2014
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets Held-For-Sale, Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 4,026	$ 13,464
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	162
Assets Held For Sale Market Adjustment	1,297rily_AssetsHeldForSaleMarketAdjustment	897rily_AssetsHeldForSaleMarketAdjustment
Assets Held-For-Sale, Other, Noncurrent	91	500
Assets Held For Sale Market Adjustment Amount Recognized	4,673	405	194
Deferred Revenue	1,076us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
Cost of Goods Sold, Total	14,080us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	11,506us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	12,750us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold
Notes Payable, Current, Total	6,570us-gaap_NotesPayableCurrent	6,856us-gaap_NotesPayableCurrent
Estimated fair value				3,100rily_EstimatedFairValue
Leased equipment with a carrying value	4,026rily_LeasedEquipmentWithCarryingValue
Oil Rigs [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets Held-For-Sale, Property, Plant and Equipment		2,708
Assets Held-For-Sale, Capital Leased Assets, Net			9,219
Assets Held For Sale Market Adjustment	1,782
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			15 years
Oil and Gas Revenue, Total		9,280
Cost of Goods Sold, Total		7,447
Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Depreciation, Total		1,252	209
Machinery Equipment and Computer Software [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets Held-For-Sale, Property, Plant and Equipment	4,026
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets Held-For-Sale, Property, Plant and Equipment		10,756
Air Craft Parts [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets Held-For-Sale, Other, Noncurrent	$ 91	$ 500