Business and Geographic Segments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period	$ 2,161,901	$ 2,151,538	$ 2,291,792
Capital, lottery and gaming systems expenditures	89,774	108,518	77,542
Printed Products
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period	922,890	947,736	913,767
Capital, lottery and gaming systems expenditures	22,120	19,351	15,772
Lottery Systems
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period	727,168	756,593	800,825
Capital, lottery and gaming systems expenditures	47,766	47,679	38,779
Gaming
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period	498,599	429,003	537,731
Capital, lottery and gaming systems expenditures	19,888	41,488	22,991
Unallocated assets
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period	13,244	18,206	39,569
Total Operating Segments
Disclosures related to operating segments
Assets at the end of the period		$ 2,133,332