Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Segments	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments			4
Net revenues from external customers	$ 164,877	$ 166,349	$ 573,889	$ 547,589
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0	0
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	21,281	42,997	133,915	139,154
Depreciation and amortization	(13,370)	(13,443)	(40,815)	(41,319)
Interest income (expense), net	(842)	(1,460)	(2,994)	(7,257)
Income tax provision	(1,096)	(8,374)	(34,203)	(34,054)
Earnings from continuing operations	5,973	19,720	55,903	56,524
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	60	(1)	218
Net earnings and comprehensive income	5,973	19,780	55,902	56,742
Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors			11
Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors			11
Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	62,919	66,776	253,541	246,858
Intercompany net revenues	2,474	2,452	10,212	9,081
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	1,243	20,789	55,094	67,116
Racing Operations | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	3,873	6,148	109,297	104,558
Intercompany net revenues	151	381	4,419	3,993
Racing Operations | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	30,578	30,875	62,802	62,273
Intercompany net revenues	1,758	1,468	3,810	3,160
Racing Operations | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	22,633	23,673	47,374	45,753
Intercompany net revenues	554	582	1,150	1,129
Racing Operations | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	5,835	6,080	34,068	34,274
Intercompany net revenues	11	21	833	799
Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	49,493	51,922	160,200	160,468
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	12,029	13,148	51,856	43,479
Gaming Operations | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	17,841	20,251	58,908	62,574
Gaming Operations | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	10,109	9,880	31,726	31,510
Gaming Operations | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,089	8,350	26,466	26,566
Gaming Operations | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	13,454	13,441	43,100	39,818
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	45,593	42,015	142,330	125,344
Intercompany net revenues	233	186	669	601
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	8,986	9,818	31,946	28,671
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(3,531)	(3,276)	(13,527)	(11,079)
Other Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	6,543	5,583	17,012	14,657
Intercompany net revenues	824	638	2,646	1,397
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	421	782	(13)	1,217
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	329	53	806	262
Earnings before interest, taxes, deprecation and amortization	$ (1,398)	$ (1,540)	$ (4,968)	$ (1,329)