SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2012 item
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of geographic regions, where principal operating activities of the entity occur	2	2
Number of reportable segments	2	2
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net revenues	$ 2,352,148,000	$ 2,287,590,000
Adjusted EBITDA	524,372,000	430,332,000
Other operating income (expense):
Preopening and start-up expenses	(2,146,000)
Property transactions, net	(8,491,000)	(917,000)
Depreciation and amortization	(211,918,000)	(236,809,000)
Operating income	301,817,000	192,606,000
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(225,447,000)	(284,342,000)
Non-operating items from unconsolidated affiliates	(22,079,000)	(26,866,000)
Other, net	(1,282,000)	(57,576,000)
Total non-operating income (expense)	(248,808,000)	(368,784,000)
Income (loss) before income taxes	53,009,000	(176,178,000)
Provision for income taxes	(30,431,000)	(27,129,000)
Net income (loss)	22,578,000	(203,307,000)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(16,032,000)	(13,946,000)
Net income (loss) attributable to MGM Resorts International	6,546,000	(217,253,000)
Reportable segments
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net revenues	2,236,745,000	2,181,688,000
Adjusted EBITDA	541,492,000	485,493,000
Wholly owned domestic resorts
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net revenues	1,489,188,000	1,479,598,000
Adjusted EBITDA	361,037,000	320,972,000
MGM China
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net revenues	747,557,000	702,090,000
Adjusted EBITDA	180,455,000	164,521,000
Corporate and other
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Net revenues	115,403,000	105,902,000
Adjusted EBITDA	(17,120,000)	(55,161,000)
Reconciliation of segments to consolidated
Other operating income (expense):
Preopening and start-up expenses	(2,146,000)
Property transactions, net	(8,491,000)	(917,000)
Depreciation and amortization	(211,918,000)	(236,809,000)
Non-operating income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(225,447,000)	(284,342,000)
Non-operating items from unconsolidated affiliates	(22,079,000)	(26,866,000)
Other, net	(1,282,000)	(57,576,000)
Provision for income taxes	$ (30,431,000)	$ (27,129,000)