Selected Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								5 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 22, 2012	Oct. 23, 2011	Jul. 24, 2011	Sep. 02, 2011 item	Apr. 27, 2014	Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 24, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
Net revenues	$ 268,074	$ 238,095	$ 223,207	$ 235,823	$ 291,020	$ 227,320	$ 231,426	$ 227,604			$ 965,199	$ 977,371	$ 936,661
Operating income	(13,769)	20,383	16,155	26,184	26,104	20,813	19,773	17,693			48,953	84,383	101,931
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(45,391)	(1,002)	(4,341)	4,744	(13,478)	(316)	(1,030)	(2,559)			(45,990)	(17,383)	3,735
Income (loss) of discontinued operations		(1,184)	(2,312)	1,917	(111,313)	(866)	(427)	236			(1,579)	(112,370)	805
Net income (loss)	(45,391)	(2,186)	(6,653)	6,661	(124,791)	(1,182)	(1,457)	(2,323)			(47,569)	(129,753)	4,540
Earnings (loss) per common share basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.12	$ (0.35)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)			$ (1.17)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.11
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.05	$ (2.85)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01			$ (0.04)	$ (2.90)	$ 0.02
Net income (loss) attributable common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.17	$ (3.20)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)			$ (1.21)	$ (3.35)	$ 0.13
Earnings (loss) per common share diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.12	$ (0.35)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.07)			$ (1.17)	$ (0.45)	$ 0.11
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.03)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.05	$ (2.85)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01			$ (0.04)	$ (2.90)	$ 0.02
Net income (loss) attributable common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (1.15)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.17	$ (3.20)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)			$ (1.21)	$ (3.35)	$ 0.13
Weighted average shares
Weighted average basic shares (in shares)	39,518,406	39,488,480	39,336,134	39,018,281	38,982,281	38,982,281	38,753,049	38,277,150			39,340,325	38,753,098	34,066,159
Weighted average diluted shares (in shares)	39,518,406	39,488,480	39,336,134	39,035,280	38,982,281	38,982,281	38,753,049	38,277,150			39,340,325	38,753,098	34,174,717
Certain revenues and expenses from continuing operations impacting quarterly financial results
Length of fiscal period	91 days				98 days					364 days	364 days	371 days	364 days
Impairment charge related to goodwill											50,100	14,400
Valuation charge at Lake Charles property associated with the sale of Grand Palais Riverboat, Inc					16,149							16,149
Number of properties closed due to flooding									5
Natchez, Mississippi
Certain revenues and expenses from continuing operations impacting quarterly financial results
Impairment charge related to goodwill	16,000										16,000
Lula, Mississippi
Certain revenues and expenses from continuing operations impacting quarterly financial results
Impairment charge related to goodwill	$ 34,100				$ 14,400						$ 34,100	$ 14,400