Consolidation of Certain Interests (Effect of LVE Consolidation on Consolidated Income Statements) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
REVENUES
Other revenue	$ 35,825	$ 33,276	$ 71,657	$ 66,307
COST AND EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative	110,454	96,783	220,171	192,571
Maintenance and utilities	39,570	36,773	78,333	74,188
Preopening expenses	2,210	1,741	3,870	3,572
Operating income	58,239	61,990	134,821	110,094
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	64,788	66,694	128,616	123,985
Income (loss) before income taxes	(6,141)	(4,732)	6,617	(14,151)
Income taxes	5,450	(911)	(833)	2,197
Net income (loss)	(691)	(5,643)	5,784	(11,954)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,668	2,692	1,045	5,482
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation	977	(2,951)	6,829	(6,472)
Boyd Gaming Corporation (as historically presented)
REVENUES
Other revenue	35,825	33,276	71,657	66,307
COST AND EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative	110,448		220,162
Maintenance and utilities		36,739		73,257
Preopening expenses	4,934	4,510	9,318	8,982
Operating income	55,521	59,255	129,382	105,615
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	62,139	61,387	122,574	118,551
Income (loss) before income taxes	(6,210)	(2,160)	7,220	(13,196)
Income taxes	5,450	(911)	(833)	2,197
Net income (loss)	(760)	(3,071)	6,387	(10,999)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,737	120	442	4,527
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation	977	(2,951)	6,829	(6,472)
LVE, LLC
REVENUES
Other revenue	2,724	2,769	5,448	5,410
COST AND EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative	6		9
Maintenance and utilities		34		931
Preopening expenses	0	0	0	0
Operating income	2,718	2,735	5,439	4,479
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	2,649	5,307	6,042	5,434
Income (loss) before income taxes	69	(2,572)	(603)	(955)
Income taxes		0	0	0
Net income (loss)	69	(2,572)	(603)	(955)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			603
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation	69	(2,572)	(603)	(955)
Eliminations
REVENUES
Other revenue	(2,724)	(2,769)	(5,448)	(5,410)
COST AND EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative	0		0
Maintenance and utilities		0		0
Preopening expenses	(2,724)	(2,769)	(5,448)	(5,410)
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Other expense:
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(69)	2,572	603	955
Net income (loss) attributable to Boyd Gaming Corporation	$ (69)	$ 2,572	$ 603	$ 955