Operating Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated income before income taxes
Operating income	$ 28,864	$ 26,531	$ 43,217	$ 48,034
Interest expense	(26,409)	(24,845)	(52,864)	(49,559)
Earnings from equity investments	9,224	13,631	18,574	29,443
Other expense (income), net	876	(6,584)	1,870	(12,566)
Net income before income taxes	12,555	8,733	10,797	15,352
Total Operating Segments
Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated income before income taxes
Operating income	50,146	43,438	86,604	81,626
Unallocated Amount to Segment
Reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated income before income taxes
Unallocated corporate costs	$ (21,282)	$ (16,907)	$ (43,387)	$ (33,592)

Sum of operating profit and non operating income (expense) before income taxes.

Name:	sgms_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	sgms
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents unallocated corporate costs.

+ Details

Name:	sgms_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateCosts
Namespace Prefix:	sgms
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Such amount typically reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph c

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 11
-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 9
-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 18
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 34
-Paragraph 21

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher OTS
-Name Federal Regulation (FR)
-Number Title 12
-Chapter V
-Section 563c.102
-Paragraph 9
-Subsection II

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 9
-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net amount of other nonoperating income and expense, which does not qualify for separate disclosure on the income statement under materiality guidelines.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 9
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration