STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 MGM China	Mar. 31, 2012 MGM China	Mar. 31, 2013 Total MGM Resorts Stockholders' Equity	Mar. 31, 2013 Total MGM Resorts Stockholders' Equity MGM China	Mar. 31, 2012 Total MGM Resorts Stockholders' Equity MGM China	Mar. 31, 2013 Noncontrolling Interests	Mar. 31, 2013 Noncontrolling Interests MGM China	Mar. 31, 2012 Noncontrolling Interests MGM China
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Balances	$ 8,116,016,000				$ 4,365,548,000			$ 3,750,468,000
Net income	22,578,000	(203,307,000)			6,546,000			16,032,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(12,641,000)	1,688,000			(6,436,000)			(6,205,000)
Other comprehensive income from unconsolidated affiliate, net	115,000				115,000
Stock-based compensation	8,940,000				8,117,000			823,000
Issuance of MGM Resorts common stock pursuant to stock-based compensation awards	(760,000)				(760,000)
Cash distributions to noncontrolling interest owners	(254,660,000)	(198,000,000)						(254,660,000)
Other	(535,000)				(273,000)			(262,000)
Balances	7,879,053,000				4,372,857,000			3,506,196,000
Dividends paid			$ 500,000,000	$ 400,000,000		$ 255,000,000	$ 204,000,000		$ 245,000,000	$ 196,000,000