Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Segments	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	$ 732,383	$ 696,854	$ 585,345
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0
Operating Income (Loss)	96,752	81,010	31,566
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(5,323)	14,074	(3,668)
Income tax provision	(33,152)	(34,289)	(8,341)
Earnings from continuing operations	58,277	60,795	19,557
Discontinued Operation, Net Gain (Loss)	(1)	3,560	(3,204)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	58,276	64,355	16,353
Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	302,088	298,920	308,322
Intercompany net revenues	13,157	12,284	9,702
Operating Income (Loss)	29,905	24,918	15,213
Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	223,112	212,629	142,273
Operating Income (Loss)	45,602	35,180	12,282
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	183,279	165,416	121,407
Intercompany net revenues	836	786	676
Operating Income (Loss)	32,208	28,360	10,467
Online Operations | Minimum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of online games with outcomes based on and determined by pari-mutuel wagers on live horseraces	20
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(17,459)	(15,085)	(10,970)
Other Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	22,872	19,563	13,202
Intercompany net revenues	3,466	2,015	592
Operating Income (Loss)	(3,738)	(2,790)	200
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	1,032	326	141
Operating Income (Loss)	(7,225)	(4,658)	(6,596)
Churchill Downs | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	124,255	121,886	119,144
Intercompany net revenues	5,592	5,088	3,850
Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors	10
Arlington Park | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	69,077	69,694	71,851
Intercompany net revenues	4,712	3,725	3,009
Calder Casinos | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	77,864	82,819	65,211
Calder | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	64,566	62,715	71,302
Intercompany net revenues	1,583	2,307	1,875
Fair Grounds Slots | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	42,881	41,553	40,432
Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Off Track Betting Palors	12
Fair Grounds | Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	44,190	44,625	46,025
Intercompany net revenues	1,270	1,164	968
VSI | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	35,433	35,052	33,971
Harlows Casino | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	56,604	53,205	2,659
Riverwalk Casino | Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 10,330	$ 0	$ 0