Summarized Quarterly Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summarized Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
Net revenues	$ 743,811,000	$ 707,044,000	$ 712,551,000	$ 736,059,000	$ 676,450,000	$ 710,905,000	$ 687,879,000	$ 667,023,000	$ 2,899,465,000	$ 2,742,257,000	$ 2,459,111,000
Income from operations	73,293,000	98,666,000	128,015,000	142,615,000	105,919,000	130,335,000	140,592,000	122,735,000	442,589,000	499,581,000	153,226,000
Net income	20,239,000	46,446,000	66,667,000	78,619,000	44,031,000	70,803,000	75,989,000	51,528,000	211,971,000	242,351,000	(59,467,000)
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.21	$ 0.49	$ 0.70	$ 0.83	$ 0.46	$ 0.73	$ 0.79	$ 0.53	$ 2.24	$ 2.52	$ (0.76)
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.19	$ 0.44	$ 0.63	$ 0.74	$ 0.41	$ 0.66	$ 0.71	$ 0.48	$ 2.04	$ 2.26	$ (0.76)
Non-deductible lobbying expenses	26,000,000	19,100,000
Quarterly Financial Information
Write-down of trademark intangible asset											4,400,000
Write-down of trademark intangible asset, after tax											2,800,000
Pre-tax impairment charge of land purchased in Columbus's Arena District											31,300,000
After tax impairment charge of land purchased in Columbus's Arena District											20,100,000
Hollywood Casino Aurora
Quarterly Financial Information
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge											144,600,000
Goodwill impairment charge, net of taxes											144,600,000
Hollywood Casino Joliet
Quarterly Financial Information
Pre-tax goodwill impairment charge											44,200,000
Goodwill impairment charge, net of taxes											$ 28,400,000