Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 Segments	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	$ 283,773	$ 270,816	$ 431,846	$ 409,012
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	104,875	96,196	127,142	116,296
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(988)	(1,189)	(2,165)	(2,277)
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	0	5,003	375	6,514
HRE Trust Fund Proceeds	292	0	292	0
Share-based Compensation	(6,214)	(4,715)	(9,577)	(4,414)
Share Based Compensation including Long Term Incentive Plan				7,899
Pre-Opening Costs	(480)	0	(711)	0
Depreciation and Amortization	(14,991)	(13,639)	(30,026)	(27,445)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(1,167)	(947)	(2,633)	(2,152)
Income tax provision	(31,029)	(32,133)	(31,340)	(33,107)
Earnings from continuing operations	50,298	48,576	51,357	49,930
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	0	(1)	(1)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	50,298	48,576	51,356	49,929
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	12
Racing Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	157,387	160,440	185,200	190,622
Intercompany net revenues	6,002	6,239	7,174	7,738
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	70,517	67,423	59,260	56,370
Racing Operations | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	108,278	102,874	110,578	105,424
Intercompany net revenues	4,607	4,082	4,796	4,268
Racing Operations | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	22,006	22,807	29,247	32,224
Intercompany net revenues	903	1,496	1,040	2,052
Racing Operations | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	17,031	22,873	19,311	24,741
Intercompany net revenues	492	586	505	596
Racing Operations | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	10,072	11,886	26,064	28,233
Intercompany net revenues	0	75	833	822
Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	66,887	51,371	138,976	110,707
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	19,365	14,992	41,373	34,765
Gaming Operations | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	20,466	19,188	40,952	41,067
Gaming Operations | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,978	9,586	22,342	21,617
Gaming Operations | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,245	8,814	19,006	18,377
Gaming Operations | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	13,097	13,783	28,451	29,646
Gaming Operations | Riverwalk Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	14,101	0	28,225	0
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	52,531	52,702	95,447	96,737
Intercompany net revenues	233	230	446	436
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	14,091	13,806	25,426	25,434
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(7,583)	(7,541)	(9,870)	(9,996)
Other Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	6,550	5,967	11,649	10,469
Intercompany net revenues	1,348	1,072	2,250	1,822
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	902	(25)	1,083	(273)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 418	$ 336	$ 574	$ 477
Minimum | Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Online Games, Parimutuel	25