Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Segments	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ 2,506	$ (631)	$ 4,796	$ (795)
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	303,651	283,594	470,961	431,470
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	117,667	104,893	143,265	127,207
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(1,141)	(988)	(2,247)	(2,165)
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	0	0	431	375
Illinois HRE Trust Fund Proceeds	0	292	0	292
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(3,113)	(6,214)	(8,354)	(9,577)
Pre-Opening Costs	0	(481)	(27)	(711)
MVG interest expense, net	(597)	0	(1,137)	0
Depreciation and Amortization	(15,760)	(14,991)	(31,044)	(30,026)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(4,956)	(1,167)	(9,925)	(2,633)
Income tax provision	(34,767)	(31,035)	(34,329)	(31,364)
Earnings from continuing operations	57,333	50,309	56,633	51,398
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(11)	0	(42)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	57,333	50,298	56,633	51,356
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	159,435	157,387	190,014	185,200
Intercompany net revenues	7,070	6,002	9,403	7,174
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	78,079	70,517	67,829	59,260
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	118,348	108,278	120,490	110,578
Intercompany net revenues	4,945	4,607	5,173	4,796
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	21,193	22,006	27,315	29,247
Intercompany net revenues	1,777	903	2,794	1,040
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,714	17,031	17,738	19,311
Intercompany net revenues	351	492	707	505
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	10,180	10,072	24,471	26,064
Intercompany net revenues	(3)	0	729	833
Gaming Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	2,796	(495)	4,837	(793)
Net revenues from external customers	81,958	66,887	168,513	138,976
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	26,174	19,365	53,425	41,292
Gaming Segment [Member] | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	19,873	20,466	40,456	40,952
Gaming Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,586	9,978	21,370	22,342
Gaming Segment [Member] | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,658	9,245	17,581	19,006
Gaming Segment [Member] | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	11,777	13,097	26,228	28,451
Gaming Segment [Member] | Oxford Acquisition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	19,402	0	36,921	0
Gaming Segment [Member] | Riverwalk Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	12,662	14,101	25,957	28,225
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	28	(239)	248	(130)
Net revenues from external customers	57,076	52,531	103,160	95,447
Intercompany net revenues	244	233	474	446
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	14,087	14,091	24,037	25,426
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(8,524)	(7,583)	(11,985)	(9,870)
Other Investments Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(318)	103	(289)	128
Net revenues from external customers	4,778	6,371	8,615	11,273
Intercompany net revenues	1,210	1,348	2,108	2,250
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(673)	920	(2,026)	1,229
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 404	$ 418	$ 659	$ 574