Consolidating Condensed Financial Information - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 24, 2016	Jan. 25, 2015
Consolidating condensed financial statements
Net cash (used in) provided by provided by operating activities	$ 87,141	$ 72,247
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net of proceeds	(52,628)	(29,978)
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	11,448
Restricted cash investments	(378)	614
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,558)	(29,364)
Financing Activities:
Principal payments on debt	(62,380)	(173)
Net repayments on line of credit	21,400	(45,400)
Payment of other long-term obligation	(9,384)
Premium payments on retirement of long-term debt	(2,409)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(215)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	767
Net cash used in financing activities	(52,221)	(45,573)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,638)	(2,690)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	66,437	69,830
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	59,799	67,140
Reportable Legal Entities | Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (Parent Obligor)
Consolidating condensed financial statements
Net cash (used in) provided by provided by operating activities	2,101	(10,373)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net of proceeds	(353)	(1,863)
Parent company investment in subsidiaries	32,319	56,786
Net cash used in investing activities	31,966	54,923
Financing Activities:
Principal payments on debt	(62,222)	(50)
Net repayments on line of credit	21,400	(45,400)
Premium payments on retirement of long-term debt	(2,409)
Payment of deferred financing costs	(215)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	767
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,679)	(45,450)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,612)	(900)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5,077	6,051
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	(3,535)	5,151
Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Consolidating condensed financial statements
Net cash (used in) provided by provided by operating activities	83,692	79,173
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net of proceeds	(51,869)	(27,758)
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale	11,448
Net cash used in investing activities	(40,421)	(27,758)
Financing Activities:
Payment of other long-term obligation	(9,384)
Net proceeds from (payments to) related parties	(44,179)	(51,269)
Net cash used in financing activities	(53,563)	(51,269)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(10,292)	146
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	53,033	53,787
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	42,741	53,933
Reportable Legal Entities | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Consolidating condensed financial statements
Net cash (used in) provided by provided by operating activities	1,348	3,447
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net of proceeds	(406)	(357)
Restricted cash investments	(378)	614
Net cash used in investing activities	(784)	257
Financing Activities:
Principal payments on debt	(158)	(123)
Net proceeds from (payments to) related parties	11,860	(5,517)
Net cash used in financing activities	11,702	(5,640)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	12,266	(1,936)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	8,327	9,992
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	20,593	8,056
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries
Investing Activities:
Parent company investment in subsidiaries	(32,319)	(56,786)
Net cash used in investing activities	(32,319)	(56,786)
Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from (payments to) related parties	32,319	56,786
Net cash used in financing activities	$ 32,319	$ 56,786