Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 555,190,000		$ 267,257,000		$ 1,087,959,000		$ 533,874,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	140,600,000	[1]	62,800,000	[1]	293,800,000	[2]	127,600,000	[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	(58,773,000)		(22,496,000)		(117,084,000)		(45,655,000)
Pre-opening and development costs	(6,907,000)		(17,212,000)		(10,319,000)		(24,765,000)
Non-cash share-based compensation expense	(5,500,000)		(3,400,000)		(8,700,000)		(5,200,000)
Write-downs, reserves and recoveries, net	(2,579,000)		(1,827,000)		(3,224,000)		(2,129,000)
Interest expense, net	(62,003,000)		(28,327,000)		(128,792,000)		(56,920,000)
Loss from equity method investments	0		0		0		(92,181,000)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	(8,234,000)		0		(8,234,000)		0
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,093,000		3,320,000		(1,097,000)		4,388,000
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(2,317,000)		(7,100,000)		16,427,000		(94,886,000)
Capital expenditures					149,746,000		106,389,000
Midwest [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	296,400,000	[3]	87,100,000	[3]	576,700,000	[3]	174,200,000	[3]
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	84,200,000	[3]	23,000,000	[3]	174,300,000	[2],[3]	45,100,000	[2],[3]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					112,800,000		59,700,000
South Segment [Domain]
Revenues:
Revenues	203,700,000	[4]	178,800,000	[4]	403,700,000		357,600,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	62,000,000	[4]	46,200,000	[4]	126,700,000	[2]	93,900,000	[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					26,600,000		41,800,000
West [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	53,700,000	[2]	0	[2]	104,300,000		0
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	19,100,000	[2]	0	[2]	37,300,000	[2]	0	[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					2,400,000	[3]	0	[3]
Operating Segments [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	553,800,000		265,900,000		1,084,700,000		531,800,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	165,300,000		69,200,000		338,300,000		139,000,000
Corporate and Other
Revenues:
Revenues	1,400,000		1,400,000		3,300,000		2,100,000
Adjusted EBITDA [Abstract]
Adjusted EBITDA	(24,700,000)	[5]	(6,400,000)	[5]	(44,500,000)	[1],[2]	(11,400,000)	[1],[2]
Other benefits (costs) [Abstract]
Capital expenditures					$ 7,900,000		$ 4,900,000

[1] (d)We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening and development expenses, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, corporate-level litigation settlement costs, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, loss on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of equity security investments, income (loss) from equity method investments, non-controlling interest and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA for each operating segment as earnings before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, pre-opening and development expenses, non-cash share-based compensation, asset impairment costs, write-downs, reserves, recoveries, inter-company management fees, gain (loss) on sale of certain assets, gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, and discontinued operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA for the segment divided by segment revenues. We use Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for each segment to compare operating results among our properties and between accounting periods. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have economic substance because they are used by management as measures to analyze the performance of our business and are especially relevant in evaluating large, long-lived casino-hotel projects because they provide a perspective on the current effects of operating decisions separated from the substantial non-operational depreciation charges and financing costs of such projects. We eliminate the results from discontinued operations at the time they are deemed discontinued. We also review pre-opening and development expenses separately, as such expenses are also included in total project costs when assessing budgets and project returns, and because such costs relate to anticipated future revenues and income. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures for investors because they are indicators of the performance of ongoing business operations. These calculations are commonly used as a basis for investors, analysts and credit rating agencies to evaluate and compare operating performance and value of companies within our industry. In addition, our credit agreement and bond indentures require compliance with financial measures similar to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to operating income as an indicator of performance, or as an alternative to any other measure provided in accordance with GAAP. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA may be different from the calculation methods used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

[2] (c)Our West segment consists of Ameristar Black Hawk located in Colorado, and Cactus Petes and Horseshu both of which are located in Nevada.

[3] (a)Our Midwest segment consists of Ameristar Council Bluffs, located in Iowa, Ameristar East Chicago located in Indiana, Belterra located in Indiana, Ameristar Kansas City located in Missouri, Ameristar St. Charles located in Missouri, River City located in Missouri, and Belterra Park located in Ohio.

[4] (b)Our South segment consists of Ameristar Vicksburg located in Mississippi, Boomtown Bossier City located in Louisiana, Boomtown New Orleans located in Louisiana, L'Auberge Baton Rouge located in Louisiana and L'Auberge Lake Charles located in Louisiana.

[5] (e)Corporate expenses represent payroll, professional fees, travel expenses and other general and administrative expenses not directly related to our casino and hotel operations. Beginning in the 2013 third quarter, we changed the methodology used to allocate corporate expenses to our reportable segments. Historically, we allocated direct and some indirect expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters to each property. Expenses incurred at the corporate headquarters that were related to property operations, but not directly attributable to a specific property, were allocated, typically on a pro rata basis, to each property. Only the remaining corporate expenses that were not related to an operating property were retained in the Corporate expense category. Under our new methodology, only corporate expenses that are directly attributable to a property were allocated to each applicable property. All other costs incurred relating to management and consulting services provided by corporate headquarters to the properties are now allocated to those properties based on their respective share of the monthly consolidated net revenues in the form of a management fee. The corporate management fee is excluded in the calculation of segment Adjusted EBITDA and is completely eliminated in any consolidated financial results. The change in methodology increases Adjusted EBITDA for the reportable segments with a corresponding increase in corporate expense, resulting in no impact to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.