Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests	$ 211,971	$ 242,351	$ (61,660)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	245,348	211,476	212,387
Amortization of items charged to interest expense and interest income	6,898	9,601	12,581
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets	(1,690)	340	3,104
(Gain) loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(3,804)	(7,364)	25,974
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated affiliates	9,400
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12,212	519
Loss on police services contract termination at Hollywood Casino Aurora			6,624
Gain on litigation settlement			(9,619)
Impairment loss on corporate debt securities			265
Deferred income taxes	44,983	21,560	(2,204)
Charge for stock-based compensation	28,609	24,330	25,954
Impairment losses			224,709
Decrease (increase), net of businesses acquired
Accounts receivable	1,887	(6,064)	(1,338)
Insurance receivable	1,072	(1,073)	28,673
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,445	(4,648)	3,585
Other assets	(12,331)	(2,556)	10,160
Increase (decrease), net of businesses acquired
Accounts payable	1,334	397	477
Accrued expenses	12,770	8,382	505
Accrued interest	3,925	(4,038)	648
Accrued salaries and wages	10,285	8,961	7,824
Gaming, pari-mutuel, property and other taxes	6,051	2,047	7,506
Income taxes	(70,721)	49,285
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	12,903	2,849	6,827
Other noncurrent tax liabilities	(16,146)	(683)	(10,323)
Net cash provided by operating activities	507,189	567,365	493,178
Investing activities
Expenditures for property and equipment, net of reimbursements	(472,985)	(293,081)	(362,955)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	5,323	12,966	1,627
Insurance proceeds related to damaged property and equipment		3,862	4,821
Purchase of outstanding loans of M Resorts LLC			(230,500)
Investment in joint ventures, net of proceeds received	(36,000)	(100,398)	(63,632)
Decrease (increase) in cash in escrow	24,625	28,975	(30,224)
Acquisitions of businesses and licenses, net of cash acquired	(709,450)	8,874	(55,895)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,188,487)	(338,802)	(736,758)
Financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options	31,933	16,719	11,488
Repurchase of common stock		(105,206)	(35,858)
Repurchase of preferred stock			(11,200)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	1,162,709	1,773,232	212,732
Principal payments on long-term debt	(494,891)	(1,928,571)	(383,476)
Proceeds from other long-term obligations	10,000
Proceeds from insurance financing	4,746	17,406	18,271
Payments on insurance financing	(17,253)	(12,645)	(13,421)
Repurchase of noncontrolling interest			(25,000)
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	6,081	2,557	3,311
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	703,325	(236,508)	(223,153)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	22,027	(7,945)	(466,733)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	238,440	246,385	713,118
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	260,467	238,440	246,385
Supplemental disclosure
Interest expense paid, net of amounts capitalized	70,239	93,140	116,307
Income taxes paid	$ 187,515	$ 90,702	$ 72,091