Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net revenues
Racing	$ 62,919	$ 66,776	$ 253,541	$ 246,858
Gaming	49,493	51,922	160,200	160,468
Online	45,593	42,015	142,330	125,344
Other	6,872	5,636	17,818	14,919
Net revenues	164,877	166,349	573,889	547,589
Operating expenses
Racing	61,953	65,154	200,425	202,755
Gaming	37,891	39,051	117,122	118,690
Online	32,190	30,584	95,266	85,800
Other	6,793	5,335	19,368	15,192
Selling, general and administrative expense	18,237	16,753	54,506	51,453
Insurance recoveries, net of losses	0	(615)	(6,514)	(1,010)
Operating income	7,813	10,087	93,716	74,709
Other income (expense):
Interest income	31	116	84	240
Interest expense	(873)	(1,576)	(3,078)	(7,497)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated investments	(471)	(467)	(1,255)	(423)
Miscellaneous, net	569	19,934	639	23,549
Total other income (expense)	(744)	18,007	(3,610)	15,869
Earnings from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	7,069	28,094	90,106	90,578
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:
(Loss) earnings from operations	0	60	(1)	61
Gain on sale of assets	0	0	0	157
Net earnings and comprehensive income	$ 5,973	$ 19,780	$ 55,902	$ 56,742
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations (per share, basic)	$ 0.34	$ 1.17	$ 3.24	$ 3.36
Discontinued operations (per share, basic)	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net earnings (per basic share)	$ 0.34	$ 1.17	$ 3.24	$ 3.37
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations (per share, diluted)	$ 0.34	$ 1.16	$ 3.20	$ 3.34
Discontinued operations (per share, diluted)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Net earnings (per share, diluted)	$ 0.34	$ 1.17	$ 3.20	$ 3.35
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	17,130	16,858	17,004	16,555
Diluted (in shares)	17,575	16,974	17,465	16,939