Name:	sgms_DefinedContributionPlanEmployeeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	sgms_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of employer's matching contribution on the dollar for the first six percent of participant contributions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sgms_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionOnDollarForParticipantContributions
Namespace Prefix:	sgms_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of employer's matching contribution on the dollar for the first six percent of participant contributions prior to amendment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sgms_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionOnDollarForParticipantContributionsBeforeAmendment
Namespace Prefix:	sgms_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of employer's contribution matching up to six percent of participant contributions subject to maximum percentage of eligible compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sgms_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchUptoMaximumPercentageOfEligibleCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	sgms_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum percentage of participant contributions eligible for employer's matching contribution.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	sgms_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumPercentageOfParticipantContributionEligibleForEmployerContributionMatch
Namespace Prefix:	sgms_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 70

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Plans (Details 5) (Employee 401(k) Plan, USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Employee 401(k) Plan
Defined Contribution Plan
Maximum percentage of participant contributions eligible for Employer contribution match, towards defined contribution plan	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Employer's matching contribution on the dollar for the first 6 percent of participant contributions, prior to February 28, 2009		$ 0.50
Employer's matching contribution on the dollar for the first 6 percent of participant contributions	0.375	0.25
Percentage of employer's contribution under 401(k) plan matching up to 6 percent of participant contributions subject to maximum percentage of eligible compensation	2.25%	1.50%
Contribution expense			$ 1,412,000	$ 1,718,000	$ 1,272,000