Schedule II (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Allowance for doubtful accounts, Current [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 202.2		$ 216.2		$ 207.0
Charged to Costs and Expenses	66.7		49.3		65.9
Charged to Other Accounts	0		0		0
Deductions from Reserves	(67.2)	[1]	(63.3)	[1]	(56.7)	[1]
Balance at End of Period	201.7		202.2		216.2
Allowance for doubtful accounts, Long-term [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	0.3		0.3		0.3
Charged to Costs and Expenses	0		0		0
Charged to Other Accounts	0		0		0
Deductions from Reserves	(0.2)		0		0
Balance at End of Period	0.1		0.3		0.3
Liability to sellers under acquisition agreement [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period	1.1	[2]	1.2	[2]	1.4	[2]
Charged to Costs and Expenses	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Charged to Other Accounts	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Deductions from Reserves	(0.1)	[2]	(0.1)	[2]	(0.2)	[2]
Balance at End of Period	$ 1.0	[2]	$ 1.1	[2]	$ 1.2	[2]

[1] Uncollectible accounts written off, net of amounts recovered.

[2] We acquired Players International, Inc., (“Players”) in March 2000. In 1995, Players acquired a hotel and land adjacent to its riverboat gaming facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, for cash plus future payments to the seller based on the number of passengers boarding the riverboat casinos during a defined term. In accordance with the guidance provided by ASC Topic 805 regarding the recognition of liabilities assumed in a business combination accounted for as a purchase, Players estimated the net present value of the future payments to be made to the sellers and recorded that amount as a component of the total consideration paid to acquire these assets. Our recording of this liability in connection with the purchase price allocation process following the Players acquisition was originally reported in 2000. Our casino operations in Lake Charles sustained significant damage in late third quarter 2005 as a result of Hurricane Rita. As a result of hurricane damage, and upon the Company’s subsequent decision to scale back operations in Lake Charles and ultimately sell the property, the current and long-term portions of this obligation were written down in fourth quarter 2005; the credit was included in Discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. We sold Harrah’s Lake Charles in fourth quarter 2006. Prior to the sale, the current and long-term portions of this obligation were included in Liabilities held for sale on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining long-term portion of this liability is included in Deferred credits and other on our Consolidated Balance Sheets; the current portion of this obligation is included in Accrued expenses on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.