Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2010 Lottery contracts	Dec. 31, 2010 Lottery Systems equipment	Jun. 30, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Mar. 31, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2010 Global Draw equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Machinery, equipment and deferred installation costs	Dec. 31, 2010 Machinery, equipment and deferred installation costs	Dec. 31, 2011 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2010 Land and buildings	Dec. 31, 2011 Transportation equipment	Dec. 31, 2010 Transportation equipment	Dec. 31, 2011 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2010 Furniture and fixtures	Dec. 31, 2011 Leasehold improvements	Dec. 31, 2010 Leasehold improvements	Dec. 31, 2011 Construction in progress	Dec. 31, 2010 Construction in progress
Property and equipment, including assets under capital leases
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 788,529	$ 776,367								$ 661,733	$ 654,652	$ 65,379	$ 65,181	$ 3,490	$ 4,274	$ 12,679	$ 12,773	$ 12,864	$ 13,440	$ 32,384	$ 26,047
Less: accumulated depreciation	(362,041)	(325,786)
Net property and equipment	426,488	450,581
Depreciation expense	76,900	99,700	104,300
Impairment charges related to long-lived assets				17,500	3,000				2,500
Fair value of long-lived assets by using Level 3 valuation techniques				32,200
Accelerated depreciation expense						$ 1,200	$ 5,200	$ 6,400	$ 8,300