Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 Segments	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ 2,290	$ (164)
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	167,310	147,876
Intercompany net revenues	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	25,598	22,314
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(1,106)	(1,177)
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	431	375
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(5,241)	(3,363)
Pre-Opening Costs	(27)	(230)
MVG interest expense, net	(540)	0
Depreciation and Amortization	(15,284)	(15,035)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(4,969)	(1,466)
Income tax benefit (provision)	438	(329)
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations	(700)	1,089
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(31)
Net (loss) earnings and comprehensive income	(700)	1,058
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 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	30,579	27,813
Intercompany net revenues	2,333	1,172
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(10,250)	(11,257)
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	2,142	2,300
Intercompany net revenues	228	189
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	6,122	7,241
Intercompany net revenues	1,017	137
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,024	2,280
Intercompany net revenues	356	13
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	14,291	15,992
Intercompany net revenues	732	833
Gaming Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	2,041	(298)
Net revenues from external customers	86,555	72,089
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	27,251	21,927
Gaming Segment [Member] | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	20,583	20,486
Gaming Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	11,784	12,364
Gaming Segment [Member] | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,923	9,761
Gaming Segment [Member] | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	14,451	15,354
Gaming Segment [Member] | Oxford Acquisition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	17,519	0
Gaming Segment [Member] | Riverwalk Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	13,295	14,124
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	220	109
Net revenues from external customers	46,084	42,916
Intercompany net revenues	230	213
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	9,950	11,335
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(3,461)	(2,287)
Other Investments Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	29	25
Net revenues from external customers	3,837	4,902
Intercompany net revenues	898	902
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(1,353)	309
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 255	$ 156