Segment Information - Information About Reported Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Segments	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ 1,057	$ (887)	$ 5,853	$ (1,682)
Number of Operating Segments	4
Net revenues from external customers	173,665	185,496	644,626	616,966
Intercompany net revenues	0	0	0	0
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	33,552	33,056	176,817	160,263
Adjusted Corporate EBITDA	(1,398)	(1,215)	(3,645)	(3,380)
Other Nonrecurring Expense	2,298	0	2,298	0
Insurance Recoveries, Net of Losses	0	0	431	375
Illinois HRE Trust Fund Proceeds	0	4,249	0	4,541
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	(2,213)	(5,990)	(10,567)	(15,567)
Pre-Opening Costs	0	(500)	(27)	(1,211)
MVG interest expense, net	(819)	0	(1,956)	0
Depreciation and Amortization	(17,280)	(15,796)	(48,324)	(45,822)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(5,167)	(1,401)	(15,092)	(4,034)
Income tax provision	(846)	(3,195)	(35,175)	(34,559)
Earnings from continuing operations	3,531	9,208	60,164	60,606
Earnings (loss) from operations	0	41	0	(1)
Net earnings and comprehensive income	3,531	9,249	60,164	60,605
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	41,055	50,687	231,069	235,887
Intercompany net revenues	2,694	3,193	12,097	10,367
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(1,229)	(907)	66,600	58,353
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Churchill Downs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,021	7,956	128,511	118,534
Intercompany net revenues	678	689	5,851	5,485
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Arlington Park
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	26,974	28,473	54,289	57,720
Intercompany net revenues	2,001	2,070	4,795	3,110
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Calder
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	786	8,597	18,524	27,908
Intercompany net revenues	0	412	707	917
Racing Operations Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	5,274	5,661	29,745	31,725
Intercompany net revenues	15	22	744	855
Gaming Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	1,839	(572)	6,676	(1,365)
Net revenues from external customers	81,805	79,832	250,318	218,808
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	24,937	20,496	78,362	61,788
Gaming Segment [Member] | Calder Casinos
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	18,104	19,157	58,560	60,109
Gaming Segment [Member] | Fair Grounds Slots
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	9,453	9,781	30,823	32,123
Gaming Segment [Member] | VSI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	8,190	8,443	25,771	27,449
Gaming Segment [Member] | Harlows Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	12,197	12,082	38,425	40,533
Gaming Segment [Member] | Oxford Acquisition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	21,887	17,730	58,808	17,730
Gaming Segment [Member] | Riverwalk Casino
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	11,974	12,639	37,931	40,864
Online Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(289)	(393)	(41)	(523)
Net revenues from external customers	46,266	48,522	149,426	143,969
Intercompany net revenues	240	211	714	657
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	11,098	12,998	35,135	38,424
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany net revenues	(3,763)	(4,342)	(15,748)	(14,212)
Other Investments Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(493)	78	(782)	206
Net revenues from external customers	4,249	6,135	12,864	17,408
Intercompany net revenues	829	938	2,937	3,188
Adjusted Segment EBITDA	(1,254)	469	(3,280)	1,698
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues from external customers	$ 290	$ 320	$ 949	$ 894