Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 Segments	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	$ 185,646	$ 164,877	$ 617,492	$ 573,889
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	32,976	25,154	160,118	141,450
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(1,215)	(905)	(3,380)	(3,182)
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	0	0	375	6,514
HRE Trust Fund Proceeds	4,249	0	4,541	0
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(5,990)	(2,968)	(15,567)	(10,867)
Pre-Opening Costs	(500)	0	(1,211)	0
Depreciation and Amortization	(15,796)	(13,370)	(45,822)	(40,815)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(1,401)	(842)	(4,034)	(2,994)
Income tax provision	(3,165)	(1,096)	(34,505)	(34,203)
Earnings from continuing operations	9,158	5,973	60,515	55,903
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	91	0	90	(1)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	9,249	5,973	60,605	55,902
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	50,687	62,919	235,887	253,541
Intercompany net revenues	3,193	2,474	10,367	10,212
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(907)	2,049	58,353	58,419
Racing Operations | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	7,956	3,873	118,534	109,297
Intercompany net revenues	689	151	5,485	4,419
Racing Operations | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	28,473	30,578	57,720	62,802
Intercompany net revenues	2,070	1,758	3,110	3,810
Racing Operations | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,597	22,633	27,908	47,374
Intercompany net revenues	412	554	917	1,150
Racing Operations | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	5,661	5,835	31,725	34,068
Intercompany net revenues	22	11	855	833
Gaming Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	79,832	49,493	218,808	160,200
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	20,569	12,672	61,942	47,437
Gaming Operations | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	19,157	17,841	60,109	58,908
Gaming Operations | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,781	10,109	32,123	31,726
Gaming Operations | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,443	8,089	27,449	26,466
Gaming Operations | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	12,082	13,454	40,533	43,100
Gaming Operations | Oxford Acquisition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	17,730	0	17,730	0
Gaming Operations | Riverwalk Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	12,639	0	40,864	0
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	48,522	45,593	143,969	142,330
Intercompany net revenues	211	233	657	669
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	12,998	9,917	38,424	35,351
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(4,342)	(3,531)	(14,212)	(13,527)
Other Investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	6,285	6,543	17,934	17,012
Intercompany net revenues	938	824	3,188	2,646
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	316	516	1,399	243
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 320	$ 329	$ 894	$ 806